Councillor Jonathan Cook

Agenda

The Council voted to note a report about an increase to Councillor allowances for information and approved a motion celebrating the Council's success in supporting social workers. The Council also voted against motions to exempt or compensate charities for the rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions, and to condemn the Council for failing to take action to end the protest on Riverside Walk in Nine Elms. The Council voted to accept a Conservative amendment to a Labour motion on compassion at Christmas.

Agenda and decisions

The committee voted to support the proposed three-year extension of the council's leisure and culture services contract with Enable Leisure and Culture. The committee also voted to note a report about the feasibility study for, and petition for, a pocket park on Swaffield Road. The committee voted against supporting the proposed changes to fees and charges for services under the remit of the Environment Committee. Finally, the committee voted to note a report detailing progress against the Wandsworth Corporate Plan actions and key performance indicators relating to the committee's functions.

Agenda

The meeting began with a recitation of the Quran by the Mayor's Faith Leader, Ali Jafri. The Council then approved an update to the council's capital spending plans, despite some abstentions from Conservative councillors. Two motions were then considered. The first, proposed by the Labour administration, was a general statement in support of children's safety and wellbeing and was passed despite opposition from the Conservative group. The second, proposed by the Conservatives, expressed concern at the loss of winter fuel payments for many pensioners and called on the Council to take steps to provide for those affected. This motion was defeated, with the Conservatives voting in favour and Labour against. The meeting concluded with the reception of reports from several committees.

Agenda and decisions

The Environment Committee agreed to transfer the management of the arboricultural and grounds maintenance contracts, and responsibility for the biodiversity strategy from Enable Leisure and Culture to Wandsworth Council[^1]. The Committee also noted that the council is negotiating with Enable about extending their leisure and culture contract, and will make a decision on that in November 2024. Councillors noted the council's response to the petition requesting the purchase of Springfield Park, and noted that a consultation will be taking place in July 2024 about the creation of a pocket park on Swaffield Road.

Agenda

The Council meeting began with tributes to recently deceased former Councillors Neville Daniels, Shawn Creighton, Lois Lee, and tributes were also read out on behalf of Councillor Ravi Govindia who could not be present. Councillor Peter Graham proposed an adjournment to highlight the Alton Renewal Plan, which the Council voted for. The Conservative group proposed a motion of no confidence in the Labour administration, arguing that it was incompetent, secretive, and unresponsive to residents’ concerns, particularly regarding waste collection and alleged changes to the constitution to avoid scrutiny. This motion was defeated. Councillor Cassidy proposed a second adjournment, this time to highlight the impact of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge. This motion was defeated too. The Council voted to approve changes to the constitution, and to approve the Housing and Annual Resources report. Finally, a Labour group motion stating that the Council will work with the national government to deliver on shared policy objectives was passed.