Council delivers on ambitious plans to create a fairer, more sustainable borough for all

Wandsworth Council is helping residents thrive right across the borough whilst maintaining the lowest council tax in the country. In the past twelve months, the council has also been named London Borough of Culture 2025 – securing funding, and resources to help Wandsworth becoming a destination borough for visitors across London and beyond.  

Wandsworth has stepped up support for residents struggling with the cost of living with an additional £5 million committed to the Cost of Living fund, bringing total support to £15 million. This support will help the hardest hit continue to make ends meet and deliver longer term sustainable support by delivering on the recommendations of the independent Cost of Living Commission.  

Support for families has increased, with the council launching its first family hub at the Yvonne Carr Centre in Battersea – a warm, friendly, and welcoming ‘one stop shop’ located in the heart of the community, where local families can access a wide range of key services close to where they live. There are plans to open two more hubs – in Roehampton and Tooting – later this year.  

Wandsworth Council has also launched a School Food Strategy, Council Food Strategy and piloted innovative breakfast provision in local schools, 95% of which are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. To complement this, the number of young people accessing Free School Meals has increased in the past year, helping to cushion the impact of the cost-of-living for families across the borough.  

Wandsworth is also celebrating the exciting news that it has been named London Borough of Culture for 2025. Hundreds of community organizations, creative venues, schools, businesses, and residents of all ages helped to shape the bid and will be part of delivering dozens of events for people from all walks of life throughout the year ahead. 

The council has further ambitious plans for a Decade of Renewal, with roads and pavements across the borough already receiving much-needed attention this year. Wandsworth has taken action against cycle hire firms where their riders have dumped e-bikes in the middle of pavements and streets. As well as reacting against this antisocial behaviour, the council has proactively built infrastructure so that riders can park their bikes or scooters in areas where their journeys typically end, town centres.  

Leader of the Council, Cllr Simon Hogg, said: 

"We’ve made some really positive progress this year, thanks to the hard work of colleagues and council partners. We still have the lowest council tax in the country and lowest crime rate in all of inner-London.  

“We will continue to help out the most vulnerable members of our communities, with support for those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. And we want to focus even more on delivering for local families, by getting on and building 1,000 new council homes.

“We are improving Wandsworth's air quality and will lead by example in becoming a carbon neutral council by 2030.  

“Lastly, we're proud to have been selected as the London Borough of Culture, 2025. We can't wait to deliver a year to remember – using the power of culture to transform lives, connect people and improve wellbeing.” 

 A more sustainable borough 

Wandsworth has shown it is determined to tackle climate change head-on and is proud to have retained its Carbon Disclosure Project ‘A-rating’ score in 2023. The council has delivered a range of positive initiatives, including planting 350 new trees and installing 525 electric vehicle charging sockets. Wandsworth has encouraged sustainable travel wherever possible, with 75% of residents now completing trips by walking, cycling, and public transport. 

After receiving recommendations from the Citizen’s Assembly on Air Quality, Wandsworth launched a new Air Quality Action Plan. 42% of primary schools now have a school street, where roads nearby the school gates are temporarily closed to traffic at the beginning and end of the day. 

Delivering on time and on budget 

Essential safety repairs were needed to strengthen Wandsworth Bridge back in October and the work was completed on time with minimal disruption for residents. In the past year, Wandsworth has opened two new libraries as well as keeping others open as they are regarded as vital community assets. Wandsworth was the first council in London to launch a Night Time Strategy and has led the way in supporting victims of Violence Against Women and Girls.  

A compassionate borough 

The council has also continued to embed sanctuary seekers in Wandsworth, and celebrate their history and stories in arts and culture programmes. The borough Sanctuary strategy was produced following engagement with local voluntary and community sector groups and those with lived experience. Wandsworth is a Borough of Sanctuary.