Agenda item

(A)  Criminal Damage and Vandalism

The following motion was moved by Councillor Simon Jeal and seconded by Councillor Angela Page:

“Bromley Council unequivocally condemns acts of criminal damage and vandalism. We will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police, seeking to ensure all such crimes are investigated and the criminal perpetrators prosecuted.”

On being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED.

(B)  Local Government Funding

The following motion was moved by Councillor Jeremy Adams and seconded by Councillor Tony McPartlan:

“Bromley Council and local authorities across the United Kingdom have been facing severe financial challenges due to years of cuts in government funding, with several councils including Woking, Thurrock and Birmingham having to issue S114 notices as they are effectively bankrupt. Bromley Council faces significant funding challenges with the prospect of a £29 million deficit by 2026.

Uncertainty over the future of government funding for local authorities is hampering their ability to plan and allocate resources effectively over the medium term. The proposed Fair Funding Review, developed in 2018 and aimed at redistributing resources more fairly among local authorities, has been delayed until April 2025 at the earliest.

This Council therefore calls on the government to provide an intermediate funding solution in time for financial year 2024-25, comprising: 

• Additional funding to local authorities to address acute funding pressures
• A multi-year settlement to move away from the current year-to-year approach that is leaving councils less able to plan for the future.

This Council further calls on all Members of Parliament representing Bromley constituencies to support this request for additional funding for local government by actively advocating for it in Parliament.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Colin Smith and seconded by Councillor Christopher Marlow for the motion to read –

“Bromley Council and other Local Authorities across the United Kingdom are facing severe financial challenge, due to years of reduced Central Government funding, by successive Governments of all political persuasions, with several Councils including Woking, Thurrock, Croydon, Slough and Birmingham having to issue S114 Notices as they are now effectively bankrupt.

Bromley Council itself faces significant funding challenges with the prospect of a £36.2m deficit by 2026-2027.

Uncertainty over the future of Government funding for local authorities is hampering Local Government’s ability to plan and allocate resources effectively over the medium term.

The proposed Fair Funding Review, developed in 2018 and aimed at redistributing resources more fairly among local authorities, has been delayed until April 2025 at the earliest.

The Council therefore calls on the Government again to provide an intermediate funding solution in time for the financial year 2024-25 comprising:

·  Additional funding to Local Authorities to address acute funding pressures

·  A multi-year settlement to move away from the current year-to-year approach that is leaving Councils less able to plan for the future.

This Council further calls on all Members of Parliament representing Bromley constituencies to continue to lobby for additional funding for Local Government by actively advocating for it in Parliament and to bring forward the Fair Funding Review.”

On being put to the vote the amendment was CARRIED.

The motion as amended was put to the vote and CARRIED.

(C)  Public Toilets

The following motion was moved by Councillor Will Connolly and seconded by Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross:

“When public toilets owned and managed by Bromley Council were closed, the Council implemented the Community Toilet Scheme that saw numerous businesses across the borough sign up to offer residents and visitors toilet facilities without needing to make a purchase.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic the number of businesses signed-up to the scheme has fallen dramatically. In addition, the standard of public toilets in some of the borough’s parks has fallen.

A 2019 report from the Royal Society of Public Health found that one-in-five experience the ‘loo leash’ – leaving the house much less often than they would like due to a lack of public or available toilets. Bromley Council does not want this for our residents or visitors.

Council notes:

·  That clean and safe publicly accessible toilets are critical in encouraging residents and visitors to get out and about in our borough.

·  The lack of high-standard publicly accessible toilets prevents some adults and children from leaving the house as often or for as long as they would like to.

• This can stop people visiting our towns, high streets, shopping parades and outdoor spaces, it will cause social isolation for some.

·  Age UK London reports that some people reduce the amount they drink before going to some places, and for older residents and many with impairments this can lead to dehydration and serious health consequences.

• The community toilet scheme in towns, and toilets in our parks and green spaces, make these places accessible to everyone.

 Therefore, Council calls for the Executive:

·  To develop a Publicly Accessible Toilet Strategy, with a designated Officer or Team responsible for its delivery, that will increase the number of Community Toilet venues and improve toilet provision in parks and green spaces.

·  To launch a public information awareness campaign on publicly accessible toilets across the borough, including a directory on the Council website.

• To work with Councillors, residents groups and other stakeholders to review the quality and accessibility of community and parks toilets, and identify opportunities for expanding the borough’s Publicly Accessible Toilet network.”

On being put to the vote, the motion was LOST.