Agenda and draft minutes

Full Council - Wednesday, 22nd January, 2025 7.00 pm

Venue: The Main Hall - Irish Cultural Centre, 5 Black’s Road, Hammersmith, W6 9DT. View directions

Contact: David Abbott  Email: david.abbott@lbhf.gov.uk

Link: Watch the meeting on YouTube

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bora Kwon, Andrew Jones, Lucy Richardson, Patrick Walsh, Ann Rosenberg, Helen Rowbottom, Sally Taylor, Aliya Afzal-Khan, Alex Karmel and David Morton.

 

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Laura Janes (who entered the room at 8.24pm).

2.

Declarations of Interests

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.

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 544 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2024 as an accurate record.

Minutes:

7.08pm – RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 October 2024 were agreed as an accurate record.

4.

Mayor's/Chief Executive's Announcements

Minutes:

Resignation of Councillors

 

The Mayor noted the resignations of Ben Coleman MP and Emma Apthorp, who served as ward councillors for Lillie and Hammersmith Broadway respectively, from the Council and thanked them for their hard work and service to their constituencies. Councillors Stephen Cowan, Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler and the Mayor made speeches of thanks.

 

New Year Honours 2025

 

The Mayor extended the Council’s congratulations to the following people who were recognised in the New Year Honours List for their outstanding contributions:

  • Professor Frank Kelly at Imperial College London who was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his work fighting toxic air pollution and his work with H&F as part of our Better Air, Better Health partnership with Imperial.
  • Community organiser Sharon Tomlin who received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for bringing communities together with her work at Sobus, an organisation providing support for local charities, community groups and social enterprises.

 

Councillors Stephen Cowan and Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler made speeches thanking them for their hard work and service to the community.

 

Deaths of Former Councillors

 

With great sadness, the Mayor informed the Council of the death of former Conservative Councillor Sonya Hilton. Speeches of remembrance were made by Councillors Amanda Lloyd-Harris, Adronie Alford, and Stephen Cowan.

 

With much regret, the Mayor informed the Council of the death of former Labour Councillor Louanne Tranchell. Speeches of remembrance were made by Councillors Adronie Alford, Wesley Harcourt and the Mayor.

 

The Mayor then led the Council in a minute of silence in memory of Sonya Hilton and Louanne Tranchell.

5.

Public Questions (20 Minutes) pdf icon PDF 184 KB

Minutes:

7.36pm - The Mayor thanked the residents who submitted questions. Questions 2 and 5 were taken in the meeting. The Mayor explained that any questions not addressed in the meeting would receive written responses. The questions and responses can be found at Appendix 1.

6.

Items for Discussion/Committee Reports

6.1

Council Tax Support Scheme 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.44pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, Councillor Rowan Ree.

 

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Adam Peter Lang, Jacolyn Daly, and Rowan Ree (for the Administration) and Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler (for the Opposition).

 

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

 

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

 

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

7.58pm – RESOLVED

 

That Full Council approved the following recommendations:

 

  1. That the Council Tax Support Scheme in operation in 2024/2025 (included at Appendix 1) shall continue in 2025/2026.

 

  1. That the Council shall apply the annual uprating of allowances, applicable amounts and income, set out in the DWP Housing Benefit circular, to the Council Tax Support scheme for 2025/2026.

 

6.2

Council Tax Base and Collection Rate 2025/26 and Delegation of the Business Rates Estimate pdf icon PDF 373 KB

Minutes:

7.58pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, Councillor Rowan Ree.

 

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Florian Chevoppe-Verdier and Rowan Ree (for the Administration).

 

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

 

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

 

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

8.08pm – RESOLVED

 

That Full Council approved the following for the financial year 2025/26:

 

  1. The estimated numbers of properties for each Valuation Band as set out in this report.

 

  1. An estimated collection rate of 97.0%.

 

  1. The Council Tax Base of 88,304 Band “D” equivalent properties.

 

  1. The delegation of authority to the Executive Director for Finance and Corporate Services to determine the business rates tax base for 2025/26.

 

6.3

Hammersmith & Fulham Council's new Air Quality Action Plan 2025-30 pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

8.08pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for noting by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Alex Sanderson.

 

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Sharon Holder and Stala Antoniades (for the Administration) and Councillor Jose Afonso (for the Opposition).

 

8.24pm – RESOLVED

 

  1. That Full Council noted and commented on the report.

 

6.4

Update on Upstream London: the vision for the next phase of the Council's Industrial Strategy pdf icon PDF 320 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

8.24pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for noting by the Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, Councillor Zarar Qayyum.

 

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Zarar Qayyum, Frances Umeh, Rory Vaughan and Stephen Cowan (for the Administration) and Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler (for the Opposition).

 

8.48pm – RESOLVED

 

  1. That Full Council noted and commented on the report.

 

6.5

H&F Private Rented Sector Policy pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

8.48pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for noting by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Councillor Frances Umeh.

 

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Frances Umeh and Lisa Homan (for the Administration) and Councillor Adronie Alford (for the Opposition).

 

The Council adjourned for a short break from 8.59pm to 9.15pm.

 

9.17pm – RESOLVED

 

  1. That Full Council noted and commented on the report.

 

6.6

Review of the Constitution pdf icon PDF 206 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

9.17pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

 

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

 

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

 

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

9.18pm – RESOLVED

 

  1. That Full Council approved the updates to the Constitution detailed in Appendices 1 and 2.

 

  1. That Full Council agreed the following changes to committee appointments:

·     Replace Councillor Zarar Qayyum with Councillor Jacolyn Daly on the Licensing Committee.

 

  1. That Full Council agreed to delete the Lead Member for Flood Mitigation role.

 

6.7

Council Calendar of Meetings 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 180 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

9.18pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

 

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

 

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

 

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

9.18pm – RESOLVED

 

  1. That Full Council approved the 2025/26 Council calendar of meetings at Appendix 1.

 

6.8

Review of the Statement of Gambling Policy pdf icon PDF 297 KB

Appendix 8 of this report has been classified as exempt within the meaning of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and is not for publication. The appendix has therefore been circulated to councillors only.

 

Any discussion of the contents of the exempt appendix will require Full Council to pass the following resolution:

 

Under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following item of business, on the grounds that it contains the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A of the said Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption currently outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

9.18pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

 

Councillor Dominic Stanton made a speech on the report for the Opposition.

 

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

 

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

 

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

9.22pm – RESOLVED

 

  1. To note that Appendix 8 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings as set out in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

 

  1. That the Council carefully considered and noted the responses to the consultation attached at Appendices 4 and 5.

 

  1. That the Council approved the revised Statement of Gambling Policy 2025 – 2028 (Appendix 9) and associated Local Area Profile (Appendix 2).

 

  1. That the Council agreed to retain an existing no casino resolution within the Council’s Statement of Gambling Policy although this can be withdrawn at any time.

 

  1. That Section 6.9 of the proposed policy in line with the consultation responses be amended.

 

 

7.

Special Motions

Minutes:

9.22pm – Councillor Max Schmid moved, seconded by Councillor Genevieve Nwaogbe, a motion under Standing Order 15(e)(3) to change the order of the special motions as follows: 3, 1, 2, 4 and 5.

 

The motion was agreed.

7.3

Special Motion 3 - The Future of Charing Cross Hospital pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Minutes:

9.23pm – Councillor Andrew Dinsmore moved, seconded by Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris, the special motion in their names.

 

“This council calls on the Government to secure the future of Charing Cross Hospital for all our residents.”

 

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Andrew Dinsmore and Amanda Lloyd-Harris (for the Opposition).

 

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Jacolyn Daly moved, seconded by

Councillor Adam Peter Lang, an amendment:

 

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

 

… agrees the Labour administration and local Labour MPs have a proven record of fighting to secure the future of Charing Cross hospital. The Council recognises that the future of Charing Cross Hospital is secure and reaffirms that Hammersmith & Fulham’s Labour councillors and MPs will always defend it without fear or favour.

 

The Council recognises the dreadful state the former Conservative government left our National Health Service in - both locally and across our country. It notes that hospitals across the UK suffered chronic underinvestment which now requires billions of pounds to fix and make fit for purpose.

 

The Council remembers that on 25 May 2023, the Rt Hon Stephen Barclay MP, the Conservative Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced he had removed Charing Cross, Hammersmith and St Mary’s hospitals from the list of hospitals that were up to then a part of the New Hospital Programme announced in 2019 for rebuilding and refurbishment by 2030.

 

The Council recognises that from then on the Conservative government did not provide any plan, guarantee any funding or offer any date when the refurbishment of Charing Cross, Hammersmith or St Mary’s hospitals would begin - let alone be finished.

 

The Council therefore welcomes the Labour government’s announcement of a record £25 billion investment into our NHS and notes that Charing Cross Hospital has now been reinstated to the New Hospital Programme with pre-construction work to start in 2030 and the physical works beginning in 2035.

 

The Council understands the challenges faced by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Charing Cross, Hammersmith and St Mary’s hospitals. It pledges to work with them and our newly elected local MPs to protect and improve services, urgently refurbish our hospitals and defend our local NHS.

 

The Council remembers that until the Conservative government capitulated to the Labour Council’s campaign to save Charing Cross Hospital in 2019, Conservative MPs and Hammersmith & Fulham Conservative councillors had worked from 2013 to:

 

  • Demolish the current Charing Cross Hospital
  • Sell off most the Charing Cross Hospital site
  • Replace the current hospital with a small clinic no more than 13% the size of the current hospital
  • Re-brand the clinic as a “local hospital”
  • Replace the current A&E with an Urgent Care Clinic
  • Re-brand the Urgent Care Clinic a "Class 3 A&E"
  • Lose more than 300 and possibly all the acute care beds.

 

The Council recalls how, rather than tell residents that this was their actual plan, Conservative MPs and our local Conservative councillors falsely claimed they had “saved” Charing Cross Hospital –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.3

7.1

Special Motion 1 - Commending the Government on Planning Reform pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Minutes:

10.10pm – Councillor Omid Miri moved, seconded by Councillor Genevieve Nwaogbe, the special motion in their names.

 

“This Council commends the new Labour Government on its commitment to build 1.5 million new homes and end the housing crisis through radical planning reform, getting Britain building the homes and infrastructure desperately need after 14 years of Conservative neglect and austerity. This will help accelerate and expand the delivery of genuinely affordable homes to residents in Hammersmith and Fulham.

 

This Council welcomes the new Government's recognition that local authorities have an important role to play and, after 14 years of Conservative sidelining, dithering and de-funding, looks forward to working with the Government to solve the housing crisis.”

 

Councillors Genevieve Nwaogbe (who made her maiden speech) and Stala Antoniades made speeches (for the Administration). The motion was then put to the vote:

 

FOR                        27

AGAINST                8

NOT VOTING         1

 

The motion was declared CARRIED.

 

10.21pm – RESOLVED

 

This Council commends the new Labour Government on its commitment to build 1.5 million new homes and end the housing crisis through radical planning reform, getting Britain building the homes and infrastructure desperately need after 14 years of Conservative neglect and austerity. This will help accelerate and expand the delivery of genuinely affordable homes to residents in Hammersmith and Fulham.

 

This Council welcomes the new Government's recognition that local authorities have an important role to play and, after 14 years of Conservative sidelining, dithering and de-funding, looks forward to working with the Government to solve the housing crisis.

 

 

The guillotine fell at 10.21pm.

7.2

Special Motion 2 - Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Macbeth Centre pdf icon PDF 171 KB

Minutes:

The special motion was withdrawn.

7.4

Special Motion 4 - The Safety of Cyclists pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Minutes:

The special motion was withdrawn.

7.5

Special Motion 5 - Free Breakfasts for Primary School Children pdf icon PDF 169 KB

Minutes:

The special motion was withdrawn.