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Council - Wednesday, 22 July 2026 - 7.00 pm
July 22, 2026 at 7:00 pm Council View on council websiteSummary
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The Council meeting held on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, saw the approval of the draft Local Plan for public consultation, a significant step towards shaping the borough's future development. Key decisions also included the agreement of the Treasury Management and Capital Outturn reports for 2025-26, and an amendment to the Members' Allowance Scheme to create a Deputy Cabinet Member role.
Draft Local Plan Consultation Approved
The Council approved the proposed submission documents for public consultation on the draft Local Plan under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations 2012. Councillor Tom Creswell, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, presented the plan, highlighting its vision for nearly 50,000 new homes and measures to strengthen protections against Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) conversions. The plan aims to deliver new homes, jobs, and opportunities, and was shaped by nearly 3,000 responses from residents during the previous consultation. The urgency of this decision was stressed due to upcoming changes in national regulations affecting local plan drafting and submission deadlines.
Treasury Management and Capital Outturn Reports Agreed
The Council agreed the Treasury Management Outturn Report and the Capital Outturn Report for 2025/26. Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented the reports, highlighting the Council's substantial and sustainable investment in new homes, improvements to existing housing stock, a new SEND school, and town centre regeneration. The reports indicated that the Council remained financially well-run, compliant with treasury management codes, and maintained an under-borrowed position. The successful second phase of the Greenwich Green Investment Scheme, which raised £1.277 million, was also noted.
Deputy Cabinet Member Role Created
An amendment to the Members' Allowance Scheme for 2026-2027 was agreed, creating the role of Deputy Cabinet Member to replace two Cabinet Assistant roles. This new role will receive a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) equivalent to two Cabinet Assistants, amounting to £10,788 annually. It was noted that this change would have no additional financial impact on the Council. Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Council, stated that the Deputy Cabinet Member role would focus on specific priority areas and support the Cabinet in delivering benefits for Greenwich residents.
Greenwich Waste Strategy Motion Not Carried
A motion on the Greenwich Waste Strategy, proposed by Councillor Charlie Davis, was debated but ultimately not carried. The motion called for a new Waste Strategy with clear objectives, annual reporting, and accountability measures, and highlighted concerns about falling recycling rates and missed bin collections. An amendment proposed by Councillor Jo Land, aiming to strengthen the motion by focusing on preventive approaches to fly-tipping and waste reduction, was accepted by Councillor Davies. However, Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste and Streets, argued against the motion, stating that a review of the waste management strategy was already underway and that the proposed motion was unnecessary. The motion was defeated by 30 votes to 18.
Other Noted Items
Several other items were noted by the Council:
- The Royal Borough of Greenwich Strategic Risk Register was noted, with no new or escalated risks identified. One risk was removed following the lifting of a regulatory notice.
- The Standards Committee Annual Report 2024/25 was noted, highlighting that 21 complaints were received, but none were sent for investigation or formal hearing.
- The Audit and Risk Management Panel 2025/26 Annual Report was noted.
- Changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of Delegation were noted, including the appointment of Dave Sullivan to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Destination Management Company.
- Changes to the Constitution arising from the Monitoring Officer's delegation were noted, consisting of minor wording changes.
- The Overview and Scrutiny Annual Work Programme 2026-27 was agreed unanimously.
The meeting concluded with thanks to Dr Susan Blackall for her work as Chair of the Standards Committee and Vice Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Panel.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Motion - Greenwich Waste Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council on 22 July 2026 decided the Motion was not carried. The Council resolved to bring forward a new Waste Strategy, report back annually on progress, develop a dedicated waste management plan for town centres and shopping parades, and review the commitment to a garden waste charge.
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Overview and Scrutiny - Annual Work Programme 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council approved the proposed provisional work programme for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Scrutiny Panels for 2026-27 on 22 July 2026. The decision also delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to make amendments to the work programme during the municipal year. This includes reviewing the Carbon Neutral Plan, assessing Equality Impact Assessments, and reviewing the Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence implementation.
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Amendment to Members' Allowances Scheme 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council on 22 July 2026 approved an amendment to the Members' Allowances Scheme 2026-2027. This amendment creates the role of Deputy Cabinet Member, replacing two Cabinet Assistant roles, with an equivalent Special Responsibility Allowance of £10,788.
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Changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of Delegation
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council on 22 July 2026 noted changes to the executive functions scheme of delegation. Dave Sullivan was appointed as a member of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Destination Management Company (Visit Greenwich) in place of Councillor Tom Creswell.
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Royal Borough of Greenwich Strategic Risk Register
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council noted the Council's Strategic Risk Register on 22/07/2026. The register was previously presented to Cabinet on 15th July 2026 and the Audit & Risk Management Panel on 21st July 2026.
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Standards Committee Annual Report 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich approved recommendations on 22 July 2026. The Council noted the Standards Committee's annual report for 2024/25 and the work of the Monitoring Officer in promoting high standards of conduct among Members. The Council also noted that the Standards Committee had considered this report on 14 January 2026 and referred it to the Council.
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Draft Local Plan Consultation
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council approved the proposed submission documents for public consultation on 22 July 2026. These documents outline recommendations for the Draft Local Plan.
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Treasury Management and Capital Outturn 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council approved the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2025/26 and the Capital Outturn Report for 2025/26 on 22 July 2026. The council agreed to note comments from Cabinet and the Audit and Risk Management Panel regarding these reports.
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Changes to the Constitution arising from the Monitoring Officer's delegation in Article 15.02 of the Constitution
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council noted changes to the Constitution arising from the Monitoring Officer's delegation in Article 15.02 of the Constitution on 22/07/2026. These changes included amendments to rules regarding member questions and attendance recording.
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Report on the work of the Audit and Risk Management Panel 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council decided to approve recommendations from the Audit and Risk Management Panel. This decision was made on 22 July 2026. The council noted the Audit and Risk Management Panel's 2025/26 Annual Report.
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