Bexley London Borough Council

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"Bexley Borough Council" redirects here. For the council abolished in 1965, see Bexley Borough Council (municipal borough).
Bexley London Borough Council
Coat of arms of the London Borough of Bexley.svg
Coat of arms
Lb bexley logo.svg
Council logo
Type
Type
London borough
History
Founded1 April 1965
Leadership
Mayor of Bexley
Cllr James Hunt
since 20 May 2020
Leader of the Council
Cllr Teresa O'Neill, Conservative
since 2008
Chief executive
Jackie Belton
since 17 April 2019
Structure
Seats45 councillors in 17 wards
Bexley Council 2018.svg
Political groups
Administration
  Conservative (34)
Other parties
  Labour (10)
  Independent (1)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
Plurality-at-large
Last election
3 May 2018
Next election
May 2022
Meeting place
End of The Broadway, Bexleyheath (geograph 1955254).jpg
Bexley Civic Offices
2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath
Website
www.bexley.gov.uk

Bexley London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Bexley in the ceremonial county of Greater London, England. It is one of 32 London borough councils in the county. The council comprises 45 councillors.[1]

History[]

A map showing the wards of Bexley from 2002 to 2018

There have previously been a number of local authorities responsible for the Bexley 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 Bexley. Bexley replaced the Municipal Boroughs of Bexley and Erith, Crayford Urban District and part of Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District.[2]

It was envisaged that through the London Government Act 1963, Bexley 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. As an outer London borough council it has been an education authority since 1965. This arrangement lasted until 1986 when Bexley London Borough Council gained responsibility for some services that had been provided by the Greater London Council, such as waste disposal. 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]

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.[4] 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.[5]

Political control[]

Further information: Bexley local elections

Since the first election to the council in 1964 political control of the council has been held by the following parties:

Party in control Years
Labour 1964 - 1968
Conservative 1968 - 1971
Labour 1971 - 1974
Conservative 1974 - 1994
No overall control 1994 - 1998
Conservative 1998 - 2002
Labour 2002 - 2006
Conservative 2006–present

The May 2018 elections returned a council composition of 34 Conservative Party and 11 Labour Party.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ "Your Councillors". democracy.bexley.gov.uk. 24 January 2019.
  2. ^ Youngs, Frederic (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England. 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. ^ "Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities". Council Tax Rates. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Local Plan Responses – within and outside London". Mayor of London. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Bexley London Borough Council". BBC News.

External links[]

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