Agenda and minutes

7.03pm – Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Helen Rowbottom, Ann Rosenberg, Bora Kwon, Ross Melton, Natalia Perez, Alex Sanderson, Lydia Paynter, Alex Karmel, and David Morton.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

7.04pm – There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the Annual and Special Council meetings held on 21 May 2025 as accurate records.

7.04pm – RESOLVED

The minutes of the Annual and Special Full Council meetings held on 21 May 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

2025 King’s Birthday Honours

7.04pm – The Mayor extended the Council’s congratulations to the following local people who were recognised in the 2025 King’s birthday honours:

• Professor Sharma at Imperial College Healthcare Trust was awarded an OBE for services to research in strokes in South Asian people.
• Bob Alexander, Vice Chair at Imperial College Healthcare Trust, was awarded an OBE for services to leadership in the NHS.
• Professor Thomas, President Professor emeritus of clinical neuroscience was awarded an OBE for services to clinical neuroscience.

The Mayor thanked them for their hard work and service to the community.

7/7 Anniversary

The Mayor noted that Monday the 7^th of July marked the 20^th anniversary of the terror attacks in London that killed 52 people. The Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition made speeches of remembrance. The Council stood for a minute of silence in memory of those who died.

7.15pm – The Youth Council addressed the Council and gave a short presentation on their priority areas.

Speeches on the item were made by Councillor Rebecca Harvey (for the Administration) and Aliya Afzal-Khan (for the Opposition). The Mayor thanked the Youth Council for attending and their contributions.

7.31pm – Questions 2, 4, and 5 were taken in the meeting. The responses to all questions can be found in Appendix 1.

7.40pm – The report on the results of the Local Government By-Election on 3 July 2025 was moved for noting.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson to the Council and extended the Council’s thanks to all the staff who supported the election for their hard work and professionalism.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillor Afonso (for the Opposition) and Councillor Schmid (for the Administration).

7.44pm – RESOLVED

1. That the information in Appendix 1 of the report was noted.

7.44pm – The report and recommendations were moved for noting by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

7.44pm – RESOLVED

1. That the allocation of seats set out in Appendix 1 of the report was noted.

7.44pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.44pm – RESOLVED

1. That Full Council agreed that Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson replace Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris on the Climate Change and Ecology Policy and Accountability Committee.

7.45pm – The report and recommendations were moved for noting by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, Councillor Rowan Ree.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Ree, Homan, and Walsh (for the Administration) – and Councillor Afonso (for the Opposition).

8.03pm – RESOLVED

1. To note the overview presentation and final report at Appendices 1 and 2 of the Local Government Association Finance Peer Challenge of H&F.

2. To note monitoring the implementation of actions against the recommendations has been referred to the Policy and Oversight Board.

8.04pm – Councillor Max Schmid, under Standing Order 16(d)3, moved a motion to give precedence on the agenda to Special Motion 4. The motion was agreed.

8.04pm – Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier moved, seconded by Councillor Rebecca Harvey, the special motion in their names:

“This Council recognises the unique character and identity of Uxbridge Road, which is home to a diverse mix of shops and restaurants, a well-attended market, and award-winning cultural venues that serve both residents and visitors from across London.

This Council welcomes the recent petition calling for improvements to the street and resolves to work closely with residents, businesses, cultural venues, and community groups to deliver enhancements that improve safety, cleanliness, and vibrancy while protecting the identity and diversity that make Uxbridge Road a place to be proud of.

This Council notes and resolves to accelerate efforts to improve the road, including decluttering street furniture, deep cleaning pavements, removing graffiti, working with businesses and local artists to improve shopfronts, and encouraging private firms and utilities to act responsibly and remove defunct phone boxes and flyposting. It also welcomes recent business investment on the road.

This Council notes the work of the Law Enforcement Team, who regularly patrol Uxbridge Road to keep it safe, and reaffirms its commitment to an unprecedented investment in producing the UK’s most extensive CCTV network to support the work of the LET and the Metropolitan Police.

This Council notes ongoing planning enforcement actions to address untidy premises and will continue to engage with landlords and businesses to ensure compliance with licensing and planning standards that uplift the street’s appearance, wherever it has the power to do so.

This Council welcomes the feasibility study for a Shepherd’s Bush Business Improvement District, which would be led by local businesses and empower them to further enhance local amenities in a way that complements the unique character of the street’s business offer.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Chevoppe-Verdier, Lang, Jones, Vaughan, and Mercy Umeh (for the Administration) – and Lloyd-Harris (for the Opposition)

Under Standing Order 16(d)5, Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure moved, seconded by Councillor Jose Afonso, an amendment:

“Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“… thanks residents of Hammersmith and Fulham for their recent petition demanding action is taken to “Fix Uxbridge Road: No More Neglect, No More Crime”.

This Council notes that it was under the current Labour administration that the area “visibly deteriorated due to neglected shopfronts, derelict flats above businesses, and inconsistent Council oversight”, which has allowed crime and antisocial behaviour to thrive. This Council further notes that signatories to the petition “have raised these concerns relentlessly over 2.5 years through emails, conversations with Council officers, and community reports. Yet visible change remains minimal”.

This Council regrets that the decline of Uxbridge Road is part of a wider pattern of this Administration’s low expectations for high streets. These low expectations have led to increased crime and antisocial behaviour, a greater number of vacant and dilapidated premises, and a commensurate decline in the visitor experience.

This Council calls on the Administration to take robust action to fix the issues on Uxbridge Road, including through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.4

8.55pm – Councillor Zarrar Qayyum moved, seconded by Councillor Andrew Jones, the special motion in their names:

“This Council congratulates the Macbeth Centre on its 150-year anniversary and notes that it has been a cornerstone of adult education and community engagement since its construction.

Over this time, the Centre has empowered countless residents, supporting personal development and lifelong learning. Its recent roof renovation, completed in October, ensures that this historic building will continue to serve the community for many years to come, forming a key part of the administration’s commitment to skills-led economic growth.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Qayyum, Jones, Nimmo, Quigley, and Harvey (for the Administration) – and Councillor Alford (for the Opposition).

Councillor Qayyum made a speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR:                      UNANIMOUS

AGAINST:               0

NOT VOTING:        0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

9.20pm – RESOLVED

This Council congratulates the Macbeth Centre on its 150-year anniversary and notes that it has been a cornerstone of adult education and community engagement since its construction.

Over this time, the Centre has empowered countless residents, supporting personal development and lifelong learning. Its recent roof renovation, completed in October, ensures that this historic building will continue to serve the community for many years to come, forming a key part of the administration’s commitment to skills-led economic growth.

9.20pm - Councillor Nikos Souslous moved, seconded by Councillor Jacolyn Daly, the special motion in their names:

“The Council commends the new Labour government’s plans to provide free school breakfasts for primary school children nationally.

The Council notes that its Labour administration pioneered this policy in Hammersmith and Fulham in 2018. Since then, it has helped to ensure children in the borough are healthy and ready to learn.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Souslous, Daly, Umeh (Mercy), and Cowan (for the Administration) – and Councillors Pascu-Tulbure and Afzal-Khan (for the Opposition).

Councillor Souslous made a short speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR:                      UNANIMOUS

AGAINST:               0

NOT VOTING:        0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

9.46pm – RESOLVED

The Council commends the new Labour government’s plans to provide free school breakfasts for primary school children nationally.

The Council notes that its Labour administration pioneered this policy in Hammersmith and Fulham in 2018. Since then, it has helped to ensure children in the borough are healthy and ready to learn.

9.46pm - Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor Nicole Trehy, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes that Climate Emergency UK’s Action Scorecard for 2025 has ranked the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as second best in the country – just one point behind first place.

The Council also notes that Hammersmith & Fulham improved its score in every assessed category.

The Council thanks the volunteer Climate and Ecological Emergency Commission, our Climate Champions, council officers and all our residents who are doing their bit to improve our local environment and tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Their hard work helped deliver important climate measures such as the H&F Green Investment, Clean Air Neighbourhoods and progress on energy efficiency.

The Council recognises that the UK’s net-zero targets are an important means of galvanising climate innovation and action. It understands how businesses and startup entrepreneurs in that sector are attracting vital new investment and that they are one of the fastest-growing sectors in the British economy - creating important new jobs, improving energy security, driving sustainable economic growth and securing a brighter environmental and economic future. It therefore calls on politicians of all parties to remain committed to these targets.

This Council notes that much has been done but there is much, much more to do to protect our planet for future generations.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Harcourt, Trehy, and Lang (for the Administration).

The guillotine fell at 10pm. Councillor Max Schmid moved to extend the meeting by 10 minutes to allow Councillor Downer-Sanderson to speak. Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson then made his maiden speech (for the Opposition).

Councillor Harcourt made a short speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR:                      UNANIMOUS

AGAINST:               0

NOT VOTING:        0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

10.07pm – RESOLVED

This Council notes that Climate Emergency UK’s Action Scorecard for 2025 has ranked the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as second best in the country – just one point behind first place.

The Council also notes that Hammersmith & Fulham improved its score in every assessed category.

The Council thanks the volunteer Climate and Ecological Emergency Commission, our Climate Champions, council officers and all our residents who are doing their bit to improve our local environment and tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Their hard work helped deliver important climate measures such as the H&F Green Investment, Clean Air Neighbourhoods and progress on energy efficiency.

The Council recognises that the UK’s net-zero targets are an important means of galvanising climate innovation and action. It understands how businesses and startup entrepreneurs in that sector are attracting vital new investment and that they are one of the fastest-growing sectors in the British economy - creating important new jobs, improving energy security, driving sustainable economic growth and securing a brighter environmental and economic future. It therefore calls on politicians of all parties to remain committed to these targets.

This Council notes that much has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.3

10.07pm – The motion was withdrawn.