Wandsworth Council met to discuss community safety, diversity, and local services. Councillors approved the extension of the borough's Public Space Protection Order¹ (PSPO) and debated motions on community tensions and housing. A vote was held to dispose of the remaining agenda items, effectively ending debate on several motions.

Embracing Diversity and Defending Democracy

A motion on embracing diversity and defending democracy led to a debate about community tensions, anti-semitism, and freedom of speech. Councillor Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of the Council, moved the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Sarmila Varatharaj.

Councillor Tom Pridham moved an amendment on behalf of the Conservative group, which he said sought to ensure that the position of the council reflected the fact that anti-Semitism is hugely on the rise in our society.

Councillor Jack Mayorcas and Councillor Jessica Lee seconded a second amendment. Councillor Lee spoke about Wandsworth being a place of sanctuary, and how she had met refugees in Calais who wanted a chance at life.

Councillor Pridham spoke about the importance of diversity, and said that the original motion neglected to mention the rise of anti-semitism. He also spoke about migrants to the UK, and said that it was fair to ask them to make a contribution and integrate.

Councillor Varatharaj spoke about the rise of anti-migrant sentiment, and said that migrants are being used as a scapegoat for the country's failures. She said that refugees are fleeing persecution and war, and are coming to the UK as a last hope.

Councillor Malcolm Grimston spoke about his concerns about the establishment of identity politics. He said that he grew up gay in the 1960s and 70s, and that society had a way of telling people like him that they were not part of the mainstream. He said that he is now finding that progress is going back, and that society has found a new way of telling him that he's not really part of the mainstream.

Councillor Matthew Tiller spoke about the borough of sanctuary policy, and the work that the council has done on behalf of the people of Ukraine. He also spoke about the importance of defending the concept of a multi-ethnic borough.

Councillor Akinola said that the motion was to celebrate the good work that the council has done, and that she hoped that she would be able to say that Wandsworth believes that we have more in common than what divides us.

The Conservative amendment was rejected. The amendment from Councillor Mayorcas and Councillor Lee was approved with 29 votes for, none against, and 21 abstentions.

Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

The council voted to extend and vary the Wandsworth borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and introduce a new PSPO for dog control.

Cuts to Council Funding

Councillor Aled Richards-Jones, Leader of the Opposition, asked Councillor Simon Hogg, Leader of the Council, about cuts to council funding. Councillor Richards-Jones said that the cuts that have been mooted are catastrophic, and asked whether the Leader had secured any private meetings with Labour ministers at party conference or any concessions.

Councillor Hogg said that he had made representations directly to ministers, and that the council will set balanced budgets. He also emphasised the value for money point, and said that Dolly Parton is giving a free book to every child in Wandsworth, Lime bikes are giving 50% off for lower income residents, and Apple are bringing devices and training into classrooms.

Councillor Tony Belton asked whether any cuts that have to be made can be done with greater sensitivity than the minority party managed in the past, referring to public conveniences. Councillor Hogg responded that the council is not going to worsen the frontline experience people have, and that they can manage demand and innovate.

Lavender Hill Police Station

Councillor Richards-Jones asked about the Lavender Hill ² Police Station. Councillor Hogg responded that the front desk at Lavender Hill will stay open.

Councillor Richards-Jones said that this was a manifesto breach from the Mayor of London, who promised a 24-7 police counter, and that the hours are going down substantially. He also asked about the council's own manifesto breach when it comes to community safety and law enforcement, and why there have been no law enforcement officers funded by the council.

Councillor Hogg said that the council has doubled the number of community safety officers paid for by property developers. He also said that Wandsworth is the safest borough in London, and that knife crime is falling and homicides are at their lowest level for decades.

Councillor Stephen Worrall asked what value the Labour Mayor brings to Wandsworth. Councillor Hogg responded that Sadiq Khan is helping to build 650 new homes on the Alton Estate, together with a new library, new GP surgery, new youth facilities, new family hub, improved shops, green spaces and improved access around the estate. He also said that Sadiq Khan is at the heart of the borough of culture, and that he launched his Air Filters for Schools programme at St Mary's School in Battersea.

Community Tensions

Councillor Lawless asked about community tensions. Councillor Hogg responded that Wandsworth has always been an open, diverse, compassionate place, and that any threat to our peaceful and tolerant way of life has to be taken very seriously indeed. He also said that Wandsworth residents have hosted more Ukrainian refugees than almost anywhere else in the country.

Councillor Lawless said that Lammock Centre stood in solidarity with Wimbledon synagogue after the attack at Heaton Park, and asked whether the Leader agrees that we have a duty to unite and bring our communities together. Councillor Hogg agreed, and said that he was pleased to accept an invitation to a civic Shabbat at Wimbledon synagogue next week.

Councillor Holt asked about anger at the administration for the traffic nightmare they've caused. Councillor Hogg responded that the council has heard loud and clear from communities that there are real issues with the scheme that has been put in place, and that they have committed to get a letter out to residents outlining the actions they will take in partnership with Transport for London.

Leader's Conduct

Councillor Pridham asked about the Leader's conduct, and how many of his 33 council colleagues are not in receipt of extra pay. Councillor Hogg responded that there are fewer Councillors now receiving special responsibility payments than there were under the previous system.

Councillor Stott said that the Labour values are rooted in democracy and co-operation, and asked whether Councillor Hogg thinks that perhaps people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Councillor Hogg responded that the Conservatives are not a happy ship, and that they have lost Councillors to infighting.

Transformation Programme

Councillor Peter Graham asked Councillor Angela Ireland, Cabinet Member for Finance, about the transformation programme. Councillor Graham asked how much she thinks it will save, by when it will save £10 million, and when progress will be reported to members. Councillor Ireland responded that the budget will be discussed at full council in accordance with the constitution next February.

Councillor Critchard asked Councillor Ireland to tell the council a little bit more about how she feels about the opportunities that this transformation program will bring for our council. Councillor Ireland responded that the transformation program is about funding technological efficiencies so the council can keep investing in frontline services.

Dolly Parton's Free Books for Wandsworth

Councillor Boswell asked Councillor Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children, how Wandsworth won the arrangement with Dolly Parton's foundation. Councillor Gasser responded that the foundation chose Wandsworth because of their aligned vision, because Wandsworth is a listening council, and because Wandsworth is a good professional council.

Councillor Boswell asked about the 10 by 10 program. Councillor Gasser responded that this initiative is encouraging all young children to try various different activities that are available across the borough.

Councillor Richards-Jones asked whether Councillor Gasser will commit to extended library opening hours. Councillor Gasser responded that she can't give that commitment because that would cost a lot of money, but that she is looking at how the libraries can provide more space, and what other buildings around the borough can provide study space with wi-fi.

Listening to Residents

Councillor Corner asked Councillor Ireland about focus groups. Councillor Ireland responded that the council is running several projects as part of the listening council theme, and that all relevant papers will be published when they inform key decisions or when the project concludes.

Councillor Apps asked Councillor Ireland some of the ways that the council has improved by being a listening council since 2022. Councillor Ireland responded that the council has introduced the seven rings seven days, the Leader holds regular road shows, and the council hosted the third residents conference last week.

Investment in Sports and Leisure

Councillor Colclough asked Councillor Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, about investment in sports and leisure. Councillor White responded that the council is investing in playgrounds, play areas, and resurfacing of tennis courts, all weather pitches and athletic stadiums.

Councillor Caddy asked for an update on the progress of the Springfield sports pitch planning application. Councillor White responded that the council only has one competition level football all weather 3G pitch in the borough, and that the playing pitch strategy says we need four.

One-Way System Upgrade

Councillor Sweet spoke about the failure to deliver the long-awaited one-way system upgrade. Councillor Sweet said that the scheme has been cancelled, and that he is incredibly disappointed in the Labour Mayor of London and this Labour council's failure to see this scheme through.

Councillor Yates responded that the roads making up the Wandsworth one-way system are all red routes controlled and managed by Transport for London, and that the previous Tory council refused to put in the necessary finance.

CQC Good Rating of Wandsworth Adult Social Care

Councillor Dobres spoke about the council welcoming the CQC good rating of Wandsworth Adult Social Care. Councillor Dobres said that social care is often overlooked, and that when social care is delivered right it's life enhancing.

Councillor Henderson said that the delivery of this much as well deserved accolade is very much down to all the staff across the whole of adult social care. He also said that the CQC assessment has recently been reintroduced after Osborne cancelled it, and that the customer service user overall satisfaction was in the lower quarter, but is now fourth in London overall.

Diverging Approaches to Problems in London

Councillor Corner moved a motion on diverging approaches to problems in London. Councillor McLeod seconded the motion.

Councillor Corner said that residents have become very used to members opposite arguing that if only there was the same party controlling the government, the mayoralty, and this council, that all would be well. He said that now every resident in Wandsworth has a Labour MP, a Labour assembly member, a Labour Mayor, and a Labour government, and all of these problems are still present.

Councillor McLeod spoke about the protests in Nine Elms, and said that she is a person of protest. She said that she is proud that Wandsworth is a borough of sanctuary, and that the US embassy is in the borough.

Councillor Brooks said that the mayor has been forced to reduce the requirement for affordable housing because he was simply unable to get anywhere near the targets that he had set.

Councillor Tiller contrasted how different administrations have approached the question of attaining funding from the Mayor of London to support the regeneration of the Alton Estate.

Councillor Gashane said that the council's own figures show that more than 4,000 households are in temporary accommodation, and over 350 of them are large families.

Councillor Cooper said that the motion is an attempt to try and say there's a wedge between the local Wandsworth Labour position and the mayoral position at the regional authority.

Councillor Dickerton said that he likes the motion because it highlights the strengths of the Labour party. He said that Wandsworth Labour stands up for itself, and that residents respect that.

The motion was lost with 18 votes for, 29 against, and one abstention.

Residents Votes for Council's Auto Renewal Plan

Councillor Dickerton moved a motion on residents votes for council's auto renewal plan, which was seconded by Councillor Tiller. An amendment was proposed by Councillor Corner and seconded by Councillor Cooper, but it was rejected. A recorded vote was requested, and the motion was carried with 30 votes for and 16 against.

Failure to Remove Protests in Nine Elms

Councillor Corner moved a motion on the continued failure of Wandsworth Council to remove the indefinite disruptive protests in Riverside Walk, Nine Elms. A recorded vote was requested, and the motion was lost with 17 votes for and 29 against.