Westminster City Council met on Wednesday 12 November 2025, and approved the programme of meetings for 2026/2027, and a constitutional update relating to the delegation of functions under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931. Councillors also debated and approved a motion standing united against the rise of the far right and in support of inclusive communities.

Standing united against the rise of the far right and in support of inclusive communities

The council debated a notice of motion about standing united against the rise of the far right and in support of inclusive communities, which was moved by Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of the Council, and seconded by Councillor Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member - Climate, Ecology, Culture and Air Quality. The motion was carried.

The approved motion included the following statements:

• The council noted the rise in far-right activity, anti-migrant language, and hate incidents across the country, and the impact these have had on communities in Westminster.
• The council believed that migrant and minority communities have increasingly been targeted by divisive and misleading political rhetoric.
• The council resolved to reaffirm its commitment to tackling racism and discrimination, working with local partners, establishing a cross-community working group, championing local initiatives that celebrate Westminster's diversity, condemning all forms of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and far-right extremism, and reaffirming Westminster's commitment to remaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming city.
• The council will deliver a new Community Equality Strategy focused on improving council services to ensure earlier support is given and strengthening its role in promoting community cohesion.

Constitutional update: London Squares Preservation Act 1931

The council approved a constitutional update formalising the delegation of functions under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931 and any Local Act requiring decisions relating to planning and building control functions, to the extent that these are non-executive functions, to the council's Strategic and Planning Sub Committees.

The London Squares Preservation Act 1931 is a local act¹ that gives the council powers relating to London squares². The act prescribes mechanisms for both consent for various works and enforcement should that be required.

The council approved the following amendments to the constitution:

• The table of local choice functions[^4] was amended to include an additional row delegating functions under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931 and other Local Acts related to planning and building control to the Strategic Planning Committee and Planning Sub Committees.
• The terms of reference of the Strategic Planning Committee were amended to include taking decisions on any enforcement action required under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931.
• The terms of reference of the Planning Sub-Committee (x 2) were amended to include taking decisions on any enforcement action required under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931.

Programme of meetings 2026/2027

The council approved the programme of meetings for 2026/2027. The programme was drafted on the basis of the regularity and scheduling of meetings in previous years.

The council approved the following dates for full council meetings:

• 17 June 2026
• 16 September 2026
• 11 November 2026
• 20 January 2027
• 3 March 2027
• 12 May 2027 (Annual)

The council also approved the programme of other formal meetings, including those for the Cabinet, General Purposes Committee, Standards Committee, Licensing Committee, Pension Fund Committee, Pension Board, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee, Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee, Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee, Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee, Audit and Performance, Discretionary Housing Payments Panel, and Ratings Panel.

Councillor Issue

Councillor Ed Pitt Ford raised an issue on 'The importance of choosing the right domestic heating systems within Pimlico and why this matters for current residents and generations to come.' Councillor Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, responded.

Other items

• The Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, invited the council to join him in observing a minute's silence in memory of former Councillor Harvey Marshall, who had passed away.
• Councillor Ed Pitt Ford declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to the Councillor Issue item on the agenda. As the item was for information only and no decision was required, the Councillor remained in the meeting to participate in the item.
• The opposition party selected to debate the topic of 'Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in Westminster in the winter of 25-26 and beyond'.