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Council - Wednesday, 24th April, 2024 7.30 pm

April 24, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)

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Summary

The council meeting addressed several key issues, including the implementation of LGBT+ inclusive education, housing pressures, and local transportation improvements. The session was marked by a significant consensus on promoting inclusive education, discussions on housing solutions, and debates on transportation policies.

  1. LGBT+ Inclusive Education: The council unanimously agreed to support government guidance on LGBT+ inclusive relationships and sex education. The discussion highlighted the importance of inclusivity and the need to update educational policies to reflect current societal values. This decision aims to foster a more accepting and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

  2. Housing Pressures: The council discussed the ongoing housing crisis, focusing on the lack of affordable housing and the impact of external factors such as asylum seekers and refugees on local housing availability. While there was acknowledgment of the issue, solutions focused on sustaining current arrangements rather than new initiatives. The implications of this decision suggest a continued strain on local housing resources without a significant strategic shift to address the root causes of the housing shortage.

  3. Transportation Improvements: The meeting covered the introduction of the Superloop bus service and potential extensions of the DLR to Belvedere. The council expressed a desire to improve public transport connectivity, which is crucial for economic development and easing traffic congestion. The decision to advocate for these improvements reflects a proactive approach to transportation planning in the borough.

Interestingly, the meeting also included a moment of unity where the council members from different political backgrounds came together to support the motion on LGBT+ inclusive education, highlighting a progressive shift in council attitudes towards inclusivity and diversity.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Patrick Adams
Councillor Patrick Adams Conservative Party • Blendon & Penhill
Profile image for Councillor Esther Amaning
Councillor Esther Amaning Labour Party • Belvedere
Profile image for Councillor Zainab Asunramu
Councillor Zainab Asunramu Labour Party • Thamesmead East
Profile image for Councillor Nigel Betts
Councillor Nigel Betts Independent • Falconwood & Welling
Profile image for Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE
Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE Conservative Party • Crook Log
Profile image for Councillor Stefano Borella
Councillor Stefano Borella Leader of the Labour Group / Shadow Cabinet Member for Corporate Policy and Budget • Labour Party • Slade Green & Northend
Profile image for Councillor Bola Carew
Councillor Bola Carew Conservative Party • Bexleyheath
Profile image for Councillor Kurtis Christoforides
Councillor Kurtis Christoforides Conservative Party • St Mary's & St James
Profile image for Councillor Andrew Curtois
Councillor Andrew Curtois Conservative Party • Falconwood & Welling
Profile image for Councillor Sally Hinkley
Councillor Sally Hinkley Labour Party • Belvedere
Profile image for Councillor Philip Read
Councillor Philip Read Conservative Party • West Heath
Profile image for Councillor Peter Reader
Councillor Peter Reader Conservative Party • West Heath
Profile image for Councillor Rags Sandhu
Councillor Rags Sandhu Conservative Party • Bexleyheath
Profile image for Councillor Melvin Seymour
Councillor Melvin Seymour Deputy Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health • Conservative Party • Crayford
Profile image for Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE
Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE Conservative Party • Sidcup
Profile image for Councillor Cameron Smith
Councillor Cameron Smith Conservative Party • St Mary's & St James
Profile image for Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson
Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson Deputy Mayor of Bexley 2025/26 • Conservative Party • Crook Log
Profile image for Councillor John Davey
Councillor John Davey Conservative Party • West Heath
Profile image for Councillor David Leaf
Councillor David Leaf Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Resources & Transformation • Conservative Party • Blendon & Penhill
Profile image for Councillor Baljeet Gill
Councillor Baljeet Gill Labour Party • Northumberland Heath
Profile image for Councillor Nicola Taylor
Councillor Nicola Taylor Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health • Labour Party • Erith
Profile image for Councillor Larry Ferguson
Councillor Larry Ferguson Labour Party • Thamesmead East
Profile image for Councillor Christine Catterall
Councillor Christine Catterall Mayor of Bexley 2025/26 • Conservative Party • East Wickham
Profile image for Councillor James Hunt
Councillor James Hunt Independent • Blackfen & Lamorbey
Profile image for Councillor Geraldene Lucia-Hennis
Councillor Geraldene Lucia-Hennis Conservative Party • Crayford
Profile image for Councillor Anna Day
Councillor Anna Day Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, Climate Change, Transport, Environment and Leisure • Labour Party • Slade Green & Northend
Profile image for Councillor Chris Ball
Councillor Chris Ball Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services • Labour Party • Erith
Profile image for Councillor Peter Craske
Councillor Peter Craske Conservative Party • Blackfen & Lamorbey
Profile image for Councillor Wendy Perfect
Councillor Wendy Perfect Labour Party • Northumberland Heath
Profile image for Councillor Cafer Munur
Councillor Cafer Munur Cabinet Member for Place Shaping • Conservative Party • Blackfen & Lamorbey
Profile image for Councillor Andy Dourmoush
Councillor Andy Dourmoush Conservative Party • Longlands
Profile image for Councillor Nick O'Hare
Councillor Nick O'Hare Conservative Party • Blendon & Penhill
Profile image for Councillor Cheryl Bacon
Councillor Cheryl Bacon Conservative Party • Sidcup
Profile image for Councillor Caroline Newton
Councillor Caroline Newton Cabinet Member for Education & Corporate Services • Conservative Party • East Wickham
Profile image for Councillor Frazer Brooks
Councillor Frazer Brooks Conservative Party • Falconwood & Welling
Profile image for Councillor Chris Taylor
Councillor Chris Taylor Cabinet Member for Children & Families • Conservative Party • Crook Log
Profile image for Councillor Mabel Ogundayo
Councillor Mabel Ogundayo Labour Party • Thamesmead East
Profile image for Councillor Sue Gower MBE
Councillor Sue Gower MBE Conservative Party • Bexleyheath
Profile image for Councillor Steven Hall
Councillor Steven Hall Conservative Party • East Wickham
Profile image for Councillor Brian Bishop
Councillor Brian Bishop Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing • Conservative Party • Barnehurst
Profile image for Councillor Lisa Moore
Councillor Lisa Moore Conservative Party • Longlands
Profile image for Councillor Richard Diment
Councillor Richard Diment Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods • Conservative Party • Sidcup
Profile image for Councillor Howard Jackson
Councillor Howard Jackson Conservative Party • Barnehurst
Profile image for Councillor Felix Di Netimah
Councillor Felix Di Netimah Independent • Crayford

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

AGENDA Item 9 - Calendar Appendix
AGENDA Item 2 - Minutes
AGENDA Item 5 - Questions
AGENDA Item 6 - Business Remaining
AGENDA Item 7 - Leaders Report
AGENDA Item 9 - Calendar of Meetings
Agenda frontsheet 24th-Apr-2024 19.30 Council

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 24th-Apr-2024 19.30 Council

Minutes

Printed minutes 24th-Apr-2024 19.30 Council

Additional Documents

Appendix - Declarations
Licensing Committee
Pensions Committee
General Purposes and Audit Committee
Adults OSC
Childrens OSC
Finance OSC
Places OSC
Written Replies 24.4.24
Civic Recognition Panel
Members Code of Conduct Committee
Planning Committee