The Council meeting on 22 October 2025 saw councillors approve the extension and variation of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) relating to anti-social behaviour and dog control, and also discussed various local issues including transport infrastructure and community safety. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to debating motions on embracing diversity and differing approaches to issues in London, with several amendments and votes taking place.

Public Spaces Protection Orders Extended and Varied

The Council approved the extension of the London Borough of Wandsworth (Consumption of Alcohol and Psychoactive Substances and Dog Control) Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 for a further three years. This order will now focus solely on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and the use of novel psychoactive substances, with dog control provisions being moved to a new, separate PSPO. The new dog control PSPO will also run for three years and will apply to various public areas across the borough, including parks, open spaces, and highways. The decision to extend and vary these orders was based on evidence of ongoing anti-social behaviour and the need to ensure continued enforcement measures. Consultation feedback indicated strong public support for the proposed changes, with a high percentage of respondents agreeing with the extension of the PSPO for alcohol and psychoactive substances, and with the proposed dog control measures.

Local and Topical Issues Debated

One-Way System Upgrade Councillor Will Sweet (Conservative) raised concerns about the failure to deliver the long-awaited one-way system upgrade in Wandsworth town centre, highlighting that the scheme, first announced in 2014, had been cancelled. He criticised the Labour Mayor of London and the Labour council for this failure, stating that £27 million set aside by a previous Conservative council for infrastructure improvements had not been used effectively. Councillor Jenny Yates (Labour), Cabinet Member for Transport, responded by stating that the roads in question are Transport for London (TfL) red routes, and that previous Conservative administrations had delayed progress and failed to secure adequate funding. She explained that the original scheme's costs had escalated significantly due to factors including the previous Mayor Boris Johnson's alleged mismanagement of TfL finances and the impact of Brexit on construction costs. Councillor Yates confirmed that the council remains committed to improving the one-way system and the town centre, and that the previously allocated funding remains in the council's capital budget. She also highlighted ongoing public engagement with TfL to develop a new plan for improvements.

Adult Social Care Receives Good Rating Councillor Lizzy Dobres (Labour), Cabinet Member for Children, reported on the positive outcome of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Wandsworth's adult social care services, which were rated as Good . The CQC report highlighted the council's preventative approach, person-centred care, effective partnerships, and the kind, compassionate, and respectful care provided by staff. Councillor Graeme Henderson (Labour), Cabinet Member for Health, praised the team effort involved in achieving this rating and noted significant improvements from previous performance levels. He emphasised a fundamental culture change within the department, moving towards a can-do approach.

Motion on Embracing Diversity and Defending Democracy A motion moved by Councillor Kemi Akinola (Labour), Deputy Leader of the Council, and seconded by Councillor Sarmila Varatharaj (Labour), aimed to celebrate diversity and defend democracy. The motion was debated extensively, with several amendments proposed. Councillor Tom Pridham (Conservative) moved an amendment that sought to specifically address the rise in antisemitism, which was ultimately defeated. A further amendment, moved by Councillor Jack Mayorcas and Councillor Jessica Lee, was also debated and subsequently passed, amending the original motion. The amended motion, which passed with 29 votes for, none against, and 21 abstentions, affirmed Wandsworth's commitment to being a borough of sanctuary and celebrated its diversity.

Motion on Diverging Approaches to Problems in London Councillor Matthew Corner (Conservative) moved a motion criticising the Labour administration for perceived failures in transport, crime, and housing, arguing that despite Labour controlling government, the Mayoralty, and the council, problems were worsening. He cited the cancellation of the one-way system upgrade, the reduced hours at Lavender Hill Police Station, and a perceived lack of progress on affordable housing targets as evidence. Councillor Maurice McLeod (Labour), in what he indicated might be his final speech as a councillor, responded by defending the protests in Nine Elms as a democratic expression of solidarity, not a problem. He highlighted Wandsworth's diversity and its status as a borough of sanctuary. Councillor Leonie Cooper (Labour), London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth, also spoke, criticising the Conservative motion as an attempt to create artificial political divisions and defending the council's independent stance. Councillor Aydin Dikerdem (Labour), Cabinet Member for Housing, refuted claims about falling affordable housing numbers, stating that the council was improving on previous records and fighting for more social housing. The motion was ultimately lost with 18 votes for, 29 against, and one abstention.

Other Matters The Council also received reports for information from the Cabinet, Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Planning Applications Committee, and Health and Wellbeing Board. Decisions were made on the extension and variation of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) relating to anti-social behaviour and dog control. The Council also voted to dispose of remaining agenda items without debate under Standing Order 32.

A recorded vote was held on a motion regarding the residence votes for council's auto renewal plan, which was carried with 30 votes for and 16 abstentions. Another motion, the continued failure of Wandsworth council to remove the indefinite disruptive protests in riverside walk in nine hours, was lost with 4 votes for and 17 against.

The meeting concluded with the Mayor thanking councillors for their participation and for maintaining respectful debate.