Councillor Aicha Less
Email: aless@westminster.gov.uk
Council: Westminster
Council Profile: View on council website
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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary
Aicha Less has demonstrated a consistent and evolving commitment to public service throughout her council tenure, with a particularly strong and multifaceted focus in recent years. Her work across 2024 and 2025 highlights a dedication to public safety, community well-being, and effective governance.
In 2024, Councillor Less was actively involved in the procedural and governance aspects of council operations. She participated in key committees such as the Appointments Sub-Committee and the General Purposes Committee, contributing to significant decisions regarding committee structures and member allowances. Her engagement in October 2024, which led to recommendations for Planning Option 2 and Proportionality Option 2, indicates a focus on the efficient and representative functioning of council committees. Furthermore, her direct engagement with public safety concerns in the Abbey Road ward in November 2024 foreshadowed her more extensive work in this area in the following year.
2025 marked a significant expansion and intensification of Councillor Less's focus, particularly in her role as Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection. Her priorities clearly centered on enhancing public safety through tangible initiatives. She was instrumental in addressing crime and antisocial behavior by announcing a new police and council tasking team and emphasizing the effectiveness of CCTV. Her advocacy for new CCTV cameras and the Private Rented Sector Selective Licensing Scheme, alongside inquiries into landlord protections, demonstrates a comprehensive approach to resident safety. Beyond immediate safety concerns, Less also championed initiatives for community well-being and strategic development. Her active involvement in discussions surrounding the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU), where she voiced concerns about costs and delays while advocating for its future, showcases her commitment to long-term infrastructure projects. The introduction of the Westminster After Dark strategy underscores her forward-thinking approach to fostering an inclusive night-time economy. Less also demonstrated a keen awareness of specific resident needs, addressing issues such as lengthy wait times for home adaptations and the lack of air conditioning in leisure centers, indicating a responsive and problem-solving approach. Her voting on budget amendments and Cabinet recommendations, as well as signing a Notice of Motion to confer Honorary Alderman status, further illustrate her deep engagement in the council's decision-making processes and its recognition of service.
Key Themes and Priorities: Public safety, community well-being, strategic planning, effective governance, and responsive resident support are the overarching themes of Councillor Less's work. Her priorities have demonstrably broadened and deepened, moving from a focus on committee structure and procedural matters in 2024 to a more hands-on, policy-driven approach to critical community issues in 2025.
Evolution of Focus: While governance and committee effectiveness were evident in 2024, 2025 saw a significant shift towards direct public service delivery and policy implementation, particularly in her Cabinet role. Her engagement with public safety issues became more pronounced and action-oriented, moving from addressing ward-specific concerns to broader strategic initiatives.
Most Significant Contributions (Recent Years): In 2025, her most significant contributions include the announcement of the new police and council tasking team for public safety, her instrumental role in advocating for enhanced CCTV infrastructure, and the introduction of the Westminster After Dark strategy. Her diligent engagement with the PDHU project and her responsiveness to specific resident concerns also stand out.
Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest: A consistent thread throughout her service is a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents. She consistently engages with issues that directly impact the community, whether through policy development, infrastructure improvements, or addressing specific service delivery failures. Her involvement in both procedural governance and direct policy implementation highlights a well-rounded approach to council service.
Yearly Activity Timeline
Throughout 2025, Aicha Less demonstrated consistent engagement in council and committee meetings, focusing on public safety, community well-being, and strategic planning. As Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, she was instrumental in addressing crime and antisocial behavior, announcing a new police and council tasking team to recruit officers and highlighting the effectiveness of CCTV. Less also championed initiatives for resident safety, including support for new CCTV cameras and the Private Rented Sector Selective Licensing Scheme, while also inquiring about landlord protections. She actively participated in discussions regarding the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU), expressing concerns about costs and delays, and advocating for its future. Less also introduced the Westminster After Dark strategy, aiming to foster an inclusive night-time economy, and commented on community benefits like new library facilities. Her involvement extended to addressing specific resident concerns, such as the unacceptable wait for home adaptations and the lack of air conditioning in leisure centers, demonstrating a commitment to investigating and rectifying issues. She also voted on budget amendments and Cabinet recommendations, and signed a Notice of Motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman.
Monthly Activity in 2025
During November 2025, Aicha Less was present at the Council meeting on November 12th, with no recorded actions. At the Cabinet meeting on November 17th, she introduced the Westminster After Dark strategy, detailing its four pillars aimed at creating an inclusive night-time environment. Less also engaged in discussions regarding the FUTURE OF PIMLICO DISTRICT HEATING UNDERTAKING (PDHU)
, expressing frustration over delays and seeking information on cost differences and external funding. Furthermore, she commented on the CHURCH STREET SITE A - FULL BUSINESS CASE
, sharing her perspective as the local ward councillor and highlighting the new library as a significant community benefit.
Meetings in November 2025
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During September 2025, Aicha Less, as Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, addressed public concerns regarding police presence and low-level crime. She announced the formation of a new police and council tasking team, funded by the Council, to recruit nine new police officers specifically to combat antisocial behavior. Less also highlighted ongoing efforts related to a city-wide public space protection order and the effectiveness of council-run CCTV. She further discussed pedicab regulation, expressing satisfaction with Transport for London's proposed licensing scheme which includes prohibitions on amplified audio, requirements for licensed drivers, and safety checks. The Council is also working to enforce against rogue pedicab drivers and is considering a public space protection order for on-the-spot fines. In a separate meeting, Councillor Less raised concerns about the lack of air conditioning in leisure centres, stating it deters usage and inquired about plans to rectify this issue.
Meetings in September 2025
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During June 2025, Aicha Less was active in council meetings, notably expressing support for the Private Rented Sector Selective Licensing Scheme and inquiring about landlord protections. She also welcomed the allocation of resources for 200 new CCTV cameras city-wide by March 2026, emphasizing their importance for resident safety, particularly in the St. James's area. Councillor Less responded to a question regarding Council Priorities in West End Ward: Oxford Street, Tents and Crime.
As Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, she addressed a concern about an elderly man's lengthy wait for an adaptation, acknowledging the situation as unacceptable and offering to investigate. She also highlighted the multi-departmental complexity of the Adaptation Scheme and signed a Notice of Motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman.
Meetings in June 2025
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During May 2025, Aicha Less was active in two council meetings. On May 14th, she voted against an amendment proposed by Councillor Paul Swaddle and seconded by Councillor Alan Mendoza, but voted in favor of the recommendations in part 1 of the Cabinet report. On May 19th, she questioned the implications of not taking action regarding the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU), to which Councillor Begum responded that a 'do nothing' approach is not viable due to annual repair costs of £3 million.
Meetings in May 2025
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During the March 5th, 2025 Council meeting, Aicha Less voted against a budget amendment and in favor of the recommendations in part 1 of the Cabinet report. Information from the reports pack also noted her apologies for a February 17th, 2025 Cabinet meeting and her attendance at a January 29th, 2025 General Purposes Committee meeting.
Meetings in March 2025
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During January 2025, Aicha Less attended the General Purposes Committee meeting on January 29th, 2025, in her capacity as a member. No specific statements or actions were documented for her during this meeting.
Meetings in January 2025
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Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
180 meetings · Page 1 of 36
General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 3rd June, 2026 6.00 pm
Decisions from Meetings
33 decisions · Page 1 of 7
Procurement Strategy - Waste Contract
From: Cabinet - Monday 17th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 17, 2025
...the procurement strategy for awarding a new contract for Waste and Recycling Collections, Street Cleansing, and Winter Maintenance, commencing on 16 September 2027, was approved.
Recommendations Approved
Westminster After Dark Strategy 2025-2040
From: Cabinet - Monday 17th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 17, 2025
The Cabinet approved the Westminster After Dark Strategy 2025-2040 and its accompanying Implementation Plan on 17 November 2025. The strategy aims to improve night-time life, making it safe, vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable. Specific actions include revising the Licensing Policy, expanding CCTV coverage, establishing an LGBTQ+ venues forum, and piloting evening initiatives to activate local spaces.
Recommendations Approved
Future Service Delivery - Repairs, Maintenance and Major Works
From: Cabinet - Monday 17th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 17, 2025
The Cabinet of Westminster Council approved recommendations for future service delivery for repairs, maintenance, and major works on 17 November 2025. This included approving the establishment of a Strategic Alliance underpinned by the Framework Alliance Contract. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Housing & Commercial Partnerships to approve procurement strategies and take necessary steps to implement the Strategic Alliance.
Recommendations Approved
North Paddington Serious Violence Taskforce - Council Response to Recommendations
From: Cabinet - Monday 17th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 17, 2025
...to approve the Council's response to the North Paddington Serious Violence Taskforce recommendations, allocate initial funding of £150,000 for implementation, and delegate authority for further spending up to £100,000 to the Cabinet Member for Communities.
Recommendations Approved
Report to Full Council: Constitutional Update - London Squares Preservation Act 1931
From: Council - Wednesday 12th November, 2025 7.00 pm - November 12, 2025
Recommendations Approved
Summary
Meetings Attended: 180
Average per Month: 1.5
Decisions Recorded: 33 Not all decisions are recorded, so this may significantly underestimate the number of decisions actually made.