Greenwich London Borough Council

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Greenwich London Borough Council
Logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Leo Fletcher
since May 2022
Leader of the Council
Anthony Okereke, Labour
since May 2022
Chief executive
Debbie Warren
since 12 December 2018
Structure
Seats55 councillors in 23 wards
Political groups
Administration (52)
  •   Labour (52)

Opposition (3)

Elections
First past the post
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
7 May 2026
Meeting place
Woolwich Town Hall
Website
www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Greenwich London Borough Council is the local authority for the Royal Borough of Greenwich in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in the United Kingdom capital of London. Greenwich is divided into 23 wards, electing a total of 55 councillors.[1] The council was created by the London Government Act 1963 and replaced two local authorities: Greenwich Metropolitan Borough Council and Woolwich Metropolitan Borough Council. The council meets in Woolwich Town Hall.

History[edit]

A map showing the wards of Greenwich since 2002

There have previously been a number of local authorities responsible for the Greenwich area. The current local authority was first elected in 1964, a year before formally coming into its powers and prior to the creation of the London Borough of Greenwich on 1 April 1965. Greenwich London Borough Council replaced Greenwich Metropolitan Borough Council and Woolwich Metropolitan Borough Council.[2]

It was envisaged that through the London Government Act 1963 Greenwich as a London local authority would share power with 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 local authorities responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. This arrangement lasted until 1986 when Greenwich London Borough Council gained responsibility for some services that had been provided by the Greater London Council, such as waste disposal. Greenwich became an education authority in 1990. 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.[3]

In May 2014 the Labour-run council refused to support the building of a memorial to Lee Rigby, whose murder by Islamists occurred in the borough, in spite of being "overwhelmed by interest in a local memorial". The authority previously faced criticism at the time of the killing, with the cabinet attending an away day immediately after the murder, therefore missing a visit by the Prime Minister.[4] Following a campaign which saw 25,000 people sign a petition in support of the memorial the council dropped its opposition to the tribute.[5]

Powers and functions[edit]

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.[6] 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.[7]

Summary results of elections[edit]

Overall control Labour Conservative Lib Dem SDP
2022 Labour 52 3 - -
2018 Labour 42 9 - -
2014 Labour 43 8 - -
2010 Labour 40 11 - -
2006 Labour 36 13 2 -
2002 Labour 38 9 4 -
1998 Labour 52 8 2 -
1994 Labour 47 8 3 4
1990 Labour 44 12 2 4
1986 Labour 44 12 2 4
1982 Labour 43 16 2 1
1978 Labour 45 17 - -
1974 Labour 52 8 - -
1971 Labour 55 5 - -
1968 Conservative 22 38 - -
1964 Labour 49 11 - -

References[edit]

  1. ^ Greenwich, Royal Borough of. "Find your councillor". www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk.
  2. ^ Youngs, Frederic (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England. Vol. I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN 0-901050-67-9.
  3. ^ Leach, Steve (1998). Local Government Reorganisation: The Review and its Aftermath. Routledge. p. 107. ISBN 978-0714648590.
  4. ^ The Telegraph, "Lee Rigby memorial: 'All I want is to know my son will not be forgotten'", Andrew Gilligan, 17 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Lee Rigby memorial: victory at last for campaigners". www.telegraph.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities". Council Tax Rates. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Local Plan Responses – within and outside London". Mayor of London. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by LGC Council of the Year
2013
Succeeded by