Agenda item

7.34pm – Councillor Jose Afonso moved, seconded by Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes with alarm the closure of Wandsworth Bridge this summer, which will be the second of three bridges serving the Borough to be closed to traffic. This Council calls upon the Administration to work constructively with Wandsworth Council to ensure the works to take place as swiftly as possible, offer a business rates rebate for businesses affected, and lift traffic restrictions for the duration of the works, so businesses can make up the loss in customers from Wandsworth by allowing people to come in from other boroughs.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Afonso and Pascu-Tulbure (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Sharon Holder moved, seconded by Councillor Ben Coleman, an amendment:

“Delete after “This Council” and replace with:

•   Notes with concern the impending 10-week closure by Wandsworth Council of Wandsworth Bridge due to essential safety work.

•   Resolves to work constructively with Wandsworth Council to ensure the works are completed as swiftly as possible.

•   Recognises the difficulties that the closure will cause for South Fulham businesses already dealing with the worst cost-of-living crisis in memory caused by the Conservative government’s economic failures.

•   Welcomes the announcement of the new business visitor access permit which enables businesses to give free access through the Clean Air Neighbourhood cameras for shoppers, staff and deliveries.

•   Notes that 60 businesses have already taken advantage of the new business visitor access permit and around 2,000 visits per month have been authorised using the bespoke RingGo codes provided to businesses and business parks from the early days of the trial.

•   Notes the introduction of extra shopper parking bays and e-cargo bikes to support businesses and the suspension of the Imperial Road camera to enable visitors without permits to have easier access to Wandsworth Bridge Road businesses during the bridge closure.

•   Notes the continued support of residents for the South Fulham Clean Air Neighbourhood and the view of traffic experts that suspending the scheme during the closure of Wandsworth Bridge would lead to large amounts of traffic on residential roads that are benefiting from the Clean Air Neighbourhood.

•   Commits to working closely with businesses to develop further measures to enable customers to access businesses in South Fulham during the closure of Wandsworth Bridge.

•   Notes that the government sets business rates, which councils are required to collect in full and hand over to the government, and that if councils offer rebates they still have to pay the full sum to the government; and therefore calls on the area’s Member of Parliament, Greg Hands, to press the government to introduce a targeted business rates relief scheme for South Fulham businesses affected by the Wandsworth Bridge’s closure.”

Speeches on the amendment were made by Councillors Holder, Coleman, Ree, and Cowan (for the Administration) – and Councillor Dinsmore (for the Opposition). The amendment was then put to the vote:

FOR                        31

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

Councillor Afonso then made a speech winding up the debate. During the speech, the Mayor suspended the meeting for 10 minutes due to an interruption from the public gallery. When the meeting resumed, Councillor Afonso finished his speech and the amended motion was put to the vote. Opposition Councillors requested a named vote.

FOR                        31

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         0

The amended motion was declared CARRIED.

8.24pm – RESOLVED

This Council:

•   Notes with concern the impending 10-week closure by Wandsworth Council of Wandsworth Bridge due to essential safety work.

•   Resolves to work constructively with Wandsworth Council to ensure the works are completed as swiftly as possible.

•   Recognises the difficulties that the closure will cause for South Fulham businesses already dealing with the worst cost-of-living crisis in memory caused by the Conservative government’s economic failures.

•   Welcomes the announcement of the new business visitor access permit which enables businesses to give free access through the Clean Air Neighbourhood cameras for shoppers, staff and deliveries.

•   Notes that 60 businesses have already taken advantage of the new business visitor access permit and around 2,000 visits per month have been authorised using the bespoke RingGo codes provided to businesses and business parks from the early days of the trial.

•   Notes the introduction of extra shopper parking bays and e-cargo bikes to support businesses and the suspension of the Imperial Road camera to enable visitors without permits to have easier access to Wandsworth Bridge Road businesses during the bridge closure.

•   Notes the continued support of residents for the South Fulham Clean Air Neighbourhood and the view of traffic experts that suspending the scheme during the closure of Wandsworth Bridge would lead to large amounts of traffic on residential roads that are benefiting from the Clean Air Neighbourhood.

•   Commits to working closely with businesses to develop further measures to enable customers to access businesses in South Fulham during the closure of Wandsworth Bridge.

•   Notes that the government sets business rates, which councils are required to collect in full and hand over to the government, and that if councils offer rebates they still have to pay the full sum to the government; and therefore calls on the area’s Member of Parliament, Greg Hands, to press the government to introduce a targeted business rates relief scheme for South Fulham businesses affected by the Wandsworth Bridge’s closure.