Bexley London Borough Council

Last updated

Bexley London Borough Council
Coat of arms of the Ldn Borough of Bexley.svg
Lb bexley logo.svg
Council logo
Type
Type
History
Founded1 April 1965
Leadership
Sue Gower,
Conservative
since 22 May 2024 [1]
Teresa O’Neill,
Conservative
since 14 May 2008
Chief Executive
(interim)
Paul Thorogood
since 23 October 2023 [2]
Structure
Seats45 councillors
Bexley Council Oct 22.svg
Political groups
Administration
  Conservative (32)
Other parties
  Labour (12)
  Independent (1)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
Plurality-at-large
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
7 May 2026
Meeting place
Bexley Civic Offices 2.jpg
Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7AT
Website
www.bexley.gov.uk

Bexley London Borough Council, also known as Bexley Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Bexley in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Conservative majority control since 2006. It is based at Bexley Civic Offices in the Bexleyheath area of the borough.

Contents

History

There has been a Bexley local authority since 1880 when the parish of Bexley, which included both the village of Bexley and Bexley Heath, was made a local government district, governed by an elected local board. [3] Such districts were converted into urban districts under the Local Government Act 1894, which saw the board replaced by an urban district council. [4] [5] Bexley Urban District was incorporated to become a municipal borough in 1935, governed by a body formally called the "Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Bexley", but generally known as the corporation, borough council or town council. [6]

The much larger London Borough of Bexley and its council were created under the London Government Act 1963, with the first election held in 1964. [7] For its first year the council acted as a shadow authority alongside the area's four outgoing authorities, being the borough councils of Bexley and Erith, and the urban district councils of Crayford and Chislehurst and Sidcup (the latter in respect of the Sidcup area only; the Chislehurst area went to the London Borough of Bromley). [8] The new council formally came into its powers on 1 April 1965, at which point the old districts and their councils were abolished. [9]

The council's full legal name is "The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Bexley". [10] Prior to 2007 the council branded itself "Bexley Council", which name is still commonly used for it. [11] [12]

From 1965 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the Greater London Council. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the boroughs (including Bexley) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an outer London borough council Bexley has been a local education authority since 1965. The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the London Boroughs, with some services provided through joint committees. [13]

Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions. [14]

Powers and functions

The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation, and has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It sets council tax and as a billing authority also collects precepts for Greater London Authority functions and business rates. [15] It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is a local education authority and is also responsible for council housing, social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health. [16]

Political control

The council has been under Conservative majority control since 2006.

The first election to the council was held in 1964, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1965. Political control of the council since 1965 has been as follows: [17]

Party in controlYears
Labour 1965–1968
Conservative 1968–1971
Labour 1971–1974
Conservative 1974–1994
No overall control 1994–1998
Conservative 1998–2002
Labour 2002–2006
Conservative 2006–present

Leadership

Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council. The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Bexley. The leaders since 1965 have been: [18] [19]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Jim Wellbeloved Labour 19651966
Peter Maxwell Labour 19661968
Frederick Brearley Conservative 19681971
Peter Maxwell Labour 19711974
Julian Tremayne Conservative 19741977
Len Newton [20] Conservative 19771994
Donna Briant Labour 19941996
Kathryn Smith Labour 19961998
Mike Slaughter Conservative 199827 May 2002
Chris Ball Labour 27 May 200224 May 2006
Ian Clement [21] Conservative 24 May 20065 May 2008
Teresa O'Neill Conservative 14 May 2008

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2018 the council has comprised 45 councillors representing 17 wards, with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years. [22]

Following the 2022 election and a subsequent change of allegiance in April 2023, the composition of the council was: [23] [24]

PartyCouncillors
Conservative 32
Labour 12
Independent 1
Total45

The next election is due in 2026.

Premises

The council is based at the Civic Offices on Watling Street in Bexleyheath. [25] The building was completed in 1989 as the headquarters of Woolwich Building Society. The council moved into the building in 2014. [26]

When the modern council was created in 1965, its functions had been divided between the buildings inherited from its predecessors at Erith Town Hall, Crayford Town Hall, Sidcup Place, and Oak House on Broadway in Bexleyheath. [27] Oak House was subsequently demolished and a new building called Civic Offices was built on the site, opening in 1980. The Broadway building remained the council's headquarters until 2014, and has since been redeveloped. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Borough of Bexley</span> London borough in United Kingdom

The London Borough of Bexley is a London borough in south-east London, forming part of Outer London. It has a population of 248,287. The main settlements are Sidcup, Erith, Bexleyheath, Crayford, Welling and Old Bexley. The London Borough of Bexley is within the Thames Gateway, an area designated as a national priority for urban regeneration. The local authority is Bexley London Borough Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bexley</span> Human settlement in England

Bexley is an area of south-eastern Greater London, England and part of the London Borough of Bexley. It is sometimes known as Bexley Village or Old Bexley to differentiate the area from the wider borough. It is located 13 miles (21 km) east-southeast of Charing Cross and south of Bexleyheath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barnehurst</span> Human settlement in England

Barnehurst is a town and electoral ward in South East London within the London Borough of Bexley. It lies north east of Bexleyheath, and 13.0 miles (20 km) east south-east of Charing Cross. It is separated from North Bexleyheath by the A220, Erith Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hackney London Borough Council</span>

Hackney London Borough Council, also known as Hackney Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Hackney, in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2002. Since 2002 the council has been led by a directly elected mayor. The council meets at Hackney Town Hall and has its main offices in the adjoining Hackney Service Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newham London Borough Council</span> Local authority in London, England

Newham London Borough Council also known as Newham Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Newham in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 1971. It has been led by a directly elected mayor since 2002. The council meets at Newham Town Hall in East Ham and has its main offices at 1000 Dockside Road, overlooking the Royal Albert Dock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waltham Forest London Borough Council</span>

Waltham Forest London Borough Council, also known as Waltham Forest Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Waltham Forest in London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2010. The council is based at Waltham Forest Town Hall in Walthamstow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redbridge London Borough Council</span> Local authority for the London Borough of Redbridge

Redbridge London Borough Council, also known as Redbridge Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Redbridge in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2014. The council meets at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford and has its main offices nearby at Lynton House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lewisham London Borough Council</span>

Lewisham London Borough Council, also known as Lewisham Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Lewisham in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2010. It has been led by a directly elected mayor since 2002. The council meets at Lewisham Town Hall in the Catford area of the borough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barnet London Borough Council</span> Local authority of Barnet in London

Barnet London Borough Council, also known as Barnet Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Barnet in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2022. The council meets at Hendon Town Hall and has its main offices at 2 Bristol Avenue in Colindale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenwich London Borough Council</span>

Greenwich London Borough Council, also known as Greenwich Council or the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, is the local authority for the Royal Borough of Greenwich in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 1971. It meets at Woolwich Town Hall and has its main offices at the Woolwich Centre opposite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sutton London Borough Council</span>

Sutton London Borough Council, also known as Sutton Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Sutton in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since 1990. The council is based at the Civic Offices in Sutton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merton London Borough Council</span> Local authority in England

Merton London Borough Council, which styles itself Merton Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Merton in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2014. The council is based at Merton Civic Centre in Morden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wandsworth London Borough Council</span> Local authority for the London Borough of Wandsworth in Greater London, England

Wandsworth London Borough Council, also known as Wandsworth Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Wandsworth in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2022. It is based at Wandsworth Town Hall in the centre of Wandsworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bromley London Borough Council</span>

Bromley London Borough Council, also known as Bromley Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Bromley in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Conservative majority control since 2001. It is based at the Civic Centre at Bromley Palace, but is in the process of moving to Churchill Court in the centre of Bromley, which is anticipated to open later in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croydon London Borough Council</span> Municipal body governing London Borough

Croydon London Borough Council, which styles itself Croydon Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Croydon in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. Croydon is divided into 28 wards, electing 70 councillors. Since 2022 the council has been led by a directly elected mayor. The council has been under no overall control since 2022, being run by a Conservative minority administration. The council meets at Croydon Town Hall and has its main offices in the adjoining Bernard Weatherill House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ealing London Borough Council</span>

Ealing London Borough Council, which styles itself Ealing Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Ealing in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2010. The council meets at Ealing Town Hall and has its main offices in the adjoining Perceval House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrow London Borough Council</span> Local authority for the London Borough of Harrow in Greater London, England

Harrow London Borough Council, also known as Harrow Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Harrow in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Conservative majority control since 2022. Full council meetings are held at the Harrow Arts Centre and the council's main offices are at the Council Hub in Wealdstone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillingdon London Borough Council</span> Local authority in London

Hillingdon London Borough Council, which styles itself Hillingdon Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Hillingdon in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Conservative majority control since 2006. The council is based at Hillingdon Civic Centre in Uxbridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council</span> London borough council

Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council, which styles itself Kingston Council, is the local authority for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since 2018. It is based at Kingston upon Thames Guildhall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southwark London Borough Council</span> Local authority in London

Southwark London Borough Council, also known as Southwark Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2010. The council is based at 160 Tooley Street.

References

  1. Anderson, Charlotte (23 May 2024). "New Mayor of Bexley pledges to raise money for counselling charity". Yahoo News. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. "Senior Council Officers". Bexley Council. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  3. Annual Report of the Local Government Board. 1881. p. 494. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  4. Kelly's Directory of Kent. 1913. pp. 72, 75. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  5. "Local Government Act 1894", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1894 c. 73, retrieved 12 April 2024
  6. "Bexley Urban District / Municipal Borough". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  7. "London Government Act 1963", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1978 c. 33, retrieved 16 May 2024
  8. Youngs, Frederic (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England. Vol. I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN   0901050679.
  9. Youngs, Frederic (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England. Vol. I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN   0901050679.
  10. "Inter Authority Agreement for the Local London Partnership Programme" (PDF). Havering Council. 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  11. "Bexley Council". Archived from the original on 4 January 2007.
  12. "London Borough of Bexley". Archived from the original on 24 December 2007.
  13. "Local Government Act 1985", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1985 c. 51, retrieved 5 April 2024
  14. Leach, Steve (1998). Local Government Reorganisation: The Review and its Aftermath. Routledge. p. 107. ISBN   978-0714648590.
  15. "Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities". Council Tax Rates. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  16. "Local Plan Responses – within and outside London". Mayor of London. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  17. "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  18. "Council minutes". Bexley Council. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  19. "London Boroughs Political Almanac". London Councils. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  20. "Len Newton RIP: The man who changed the face of Bexley Council". Bexleyheath and Crayford Conservative Association. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  21. Piper, Linda (6 May 2008). "Council leader takes deputy mayor role". News Shopper. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  22. "The London Borough of Bexley (Electoral Changes) Order 2017", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2017/481, retrieved 2 May 2024
  23. "Bexley London Borough Council". BBC News.
  24. Boothroyd, David (28 April 2023). "The meanest cat from old Swansea town". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  25. "Contact us". Bexley Council. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  26. Wood, Heloise (12 May 2014). "Bexley Council moves offices to old Woolwich building in Watling Street". News Shopper. Retrieved 2 May 2004.
  27. Municipal Year Book. London: Municipal Journal. 1976. pp. 576–578.
  28. "Bexleyheath Civic Offices Planning Brief" (PDF). Bexley Council. Retrieved 2 May 2024.