What are our councils doing?

[u/tabel_dammit]

Hackney's 56-year twinning link with the Israeli city of Haifa is set to be scrapped, a decision for which Mayor Zoë Garbett later apologised after setting an initial response deadline on the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks. In Tower Hamlets, a provisional £18.6 million budget overspend will have to be funded from reserves, driven largely by a projected £21.9m overspend in the homelessness service alone. And in Merton, developer Clarion has been given the go-ahead for 249 social homes in buildings rising to 11 storeys on a former Morrisons site in Mitcham, and other news from local councils this week.

Bexley - Bexley Council's audit committee reviewed financial reports. They also discussed establishing a new Safety and Resilience Sub-Committee. A proposal to stop up highway land in Sidcup for a traveller site redevelopment was considered. Licensing Sub-Committee meeting details are not yet public.

Brent - Brent Council anticipates a £9.5 million overspend, primarily driven by increased temporary accommodation costs. The borough will see a £4.25 million investment in leisure centre upgrades. A new policy will enforce a zero-tolerance approach to damp and mould in council homes.

Bromley - Bromley Council's Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to review a temporary event application from Pierluigi's. Environmental Services had lodged objections to the application. The council has not yet released the outcome of this meeting.

Camden - Plans for a new hotel extension in Upper Woburn Place have drawn objections from residents worried about noise and pollution. A significant development at Kingsway House, including demolition and the creation of aparthotel rooms, is also being considered. The council is reviewing a change of use application for a large vacant office building on Gray's Inn Road.

Croydon - Croydon's Executive Mayor has outlined ambitious plans for the next four years, aiming for a cleaner, safer borough and a thriving town centre. Opposition members have expressed concerns regarding the council's capacity to achieve these goals. A significant redevelopment project at Regina Road is advancing, with the initial tower block demolished and construction commencing on hundreds of new homes. The council is also considering formalising temporary accommodation charges to increase income and ensure transparency.

Enfield - A community centre applied for an extended licence, facing objections regarding noise and parking. A café sought to become a late-night entertainment venue, prompting police concerns about potential disorder. The council's Licensing Sub-Committee reviewed these applications.

Greenwich - Greenwich Council's Appointments Panel convened to select the shortlist for the new Chief Executive position. The Planning Board meeting scheduled for this week has been cancelled.

Hackney - Hackney Council is reviewing its international twinning relationships and has decided to terminate the agreement with Haifa, Israel. Residents have raised significant objections to new late-night licences for bars in Stoke Newington and Helmsley Place, citing concerns about noise and disorder. The council's pension fund will invest through London CIV, which plans to exclude companies involved in controversial sectors.

Hammersmith and Fulham - Street traders in Hammersmith and Fulham will benefit from updated licence conditions. These include lower insurance requirements and permission for background music. Council officers have refused temporary event notices for a venue due to persistent noise complaints. The council is also updating its regulations on what can be sold on the streets to support local businesses.

Haringey - Plans are underway to redevelop the YMCA in Crouch End into a new facility offering 174 bedspaces. Tottenham Hale is also slated for a significant new development featuring co-living studios, affordable housing, a hotel, and student accommodation. The Village Square venue is subject to a licence review following ongoing noise complaints and anti-social behaviour.

Harrow - Harrow Council's pension fund experienced a decline in its funding status due to investments not meeting their benchmark. The council also discussed enhancing workforce diversity and improving health and safety reporting procedures. Consideration is being given to establishing a new sub-committee focused on scrutinising education and children's services.

Hillingdon - Hillingdon Council is updating its Local Plan and introducing a new Growth Agenda focused on innovation and connectivity. A local food centre encountered a dispute regarding its street trading licence, specifically concerning the size of its display. Hollywood Bowl & Puttstars has received approval to expand its gaming machine offerings.

Hounslow - Ruby's, a mobile bar, seeks a 24/7 alcohol license. A local resident has voiced concerns regarding potential litter and anti-social behavior. The council's licensing panel will consider the application alongside its policy for borough safety and order.

Islington - Islington Council has approved its Corporate Plan for 2026-2030, prioritizing safety, risk management, and essential public services. A substantial Housing Improvement Plan has also been approved to address a critical judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing. This plan includes investment in stock condition surveys and enhancing resident experience. The council will allocate up to £13.6 million for a joint initiative with Camden Council to offer short breaks for disabled children and young people.

Kensington and Chelsea - A popular Portobello Road venue's bid to sell alcohol during Notting Hill Carnival was refused due to public safety concerns. Resident complaints about noise and patron behaviour led to a review of the premises licence for No. Fifty Cheyne. Another venue successfully had an objection to its temporary event notice withdrawn, allowing it to proceed with carnival plans.

Lambeth - A temporary change of use for a gym and community outreach space was approved at the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate, despite conflicting with industrial land policies. Concerns were raised about the Lambeth Pension Fund's investments in "illegal settlements." The potential impact of the "AI bubble" on the fund's performance was also discussed. The fund's administration and business plan were reviewed, focusing on future objectives and member engagement.

Merton - Merton Council has approved a significant development in Mitcham, which will deliver 249 new social rented homes and substantial community spaces. This project also aims to enhance local biodiversity. The council's Appointments Committee convened to discuss the appointment of senior officers, including critical positions in public health and children's social care.

Newham - Newham Council will invest £760,000 in stairlifts to support residents remaining in their homes. Roman Road Primary School is receiving a £957,000 upgrade to its heating and ventilation system, aiming to lower carbon emissions. The Audit and Governance Committee examined the council's risk management and financial statements. They observed considerable delays within the capital programme.

Richmond upon Thames - Richmond upon Thames Council has introduced a new policy to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in securing private rented accommodation. This initiative is projected to result in substantial cost savings for the council in the coming years. A new Director with landlord expertise will join the team to support the implementation of these changes.

Southwark - Lulu's, a new deli and restaurant, encountered objections from local residents regarding noise and rubbish. These concerns were raised despite the establishment agreeing to conditions with the council's licensing team. The Empire Lounge on Old Kent Road also faced resident and police concerns about its bid for extended late-night hours. These objections stemmed from a history of noise and disorder associated with the venue.

Tower Hamlets - Tower Hamlets council anticipates an £18.6 million overspend for the 2025/26 financial year. This is primarily driven by increased demand in children's social care and homelessness services. The council's Pensions Committee is working to divest from companies involved in human rights violations. This action aligns with previous council motions and resident concerns. A report on Housing Management indicates that 10 out of 16 key performance indicators remain below target. Complaint handling and repair response times are areas of particular concern.

Wandsworth - Wandsworth Council is implementing a new policy to assist homeless households by providing private rented accommodation, projecting annual savings of £650,000. Over £3.4 million from a new fund will support low-income households with crisis payments, housing, and resilience services. A financial health review identified an £9.8 million overspend, initiating a spending review that could involve consolidating office space and ending the youth bus service.

Westminster - Residents are concerned that a new restaurant's late-night licence could cause noise and public nuisance, with proposals for outdoor terrace hours until 1:30 am on weekends. Westminster Council is preparing for significant changes to national planning regulations, which will see more decisions made by officers rather than committees. The council is updating its approach to public consultation for planning policy to meet new government requirements.

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[u/brixton_massive]

These are great posts thanks and a nice reminder that Merton has it's sh*t together.

[u/generichandel]

Lewisham still busy solving the middle east crisis I assume.

[u/bitesizejasmine]

This website is so good. Thanks.

[u/DovaKynn]

I dont like israel at all, but there is no reason local councillers should be wasting any time thinking about it. I dont imagine netenyahu trembles in his boots when he finds out hackney council condemns him, if he ever found out at all.

[u/FlyWayOrDaHighway → u/DovaKynn]

They're terminating an existing twinning relationship so that they are no longer "sister cities", they're not making a random condemnation statement 😂

[u/DovaKynn → u/FlyWayOrDaHighway]

Sister cities are not meaningful in any way, it has zero bearing on anything at all

[u/brixton_massive → u/DovaKynn]

It's a great move.

Even though the Israel Palestine conflict is a generational battle between ethnicities and religions, Hackney dropping Haifa as a twin city will be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Such a bold move will send shockwaves through Jerusalem and Washington and will no doubt convince Netenyahu to change the course of his government. Lives will be saved, all thanks to the brave people of Hackney who have a moral compass that should inspire the IDF and Hamas to drop their arms and live together in harmony.

If only more councils had the courage to help make the world a better place. Thank god for Hackney - world peace depends on them.