Bexley Council has celebrated the dedicated service of several councillors who are retiring from their roles after decades of commitment to the borough.

The Council meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, included heartfelt tributes to councillors stepping down, acknowledging their collective contributions and the significant experience that will be missed. The retirements represent approximately 230 years of collective experience leaving the council, with some Conservative colleagues alone accounting for around 146 years of service.

Councillor David Leaf, Leader of the Council, and other members from across the chamber, paid homage to the retiring councillors, highlighting their decades of service and dedication. Tributes specifically mentioned Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE for her extensive service as Leader, and numerous other councillors for their commitment to their wards and the borough.

These farewells formed a significant part of the Council meeting, underscoring the long-standing public service provided by these individuals. The impact of these retirements is expected to be significant, with a significant amount of experience that will be lost at the election in May. There is also concern that if we do lose some of these people, we might end up with a lot of green or reform councillors who've got no experience whatsoever.

Key Contributions of Retiring Councillors:

  • Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE was recognised for her extensive service as Leader, during which she delivered the new civic site, saving millions a year in running costs, and bringing back into use a well-known local landmark building. Her leadership also saw Bexley's biggest recycling project and the creation of much-needed family housing. She also played a key role in saving the QMS site, and its subsequent development, and guided Bexley through three generational strokes, the financial crash, COVID pandemic and the Ukraine war, while consistently managing a balanced budget year after year. Her work in the House of Lords, tearing apart bits of legislation, holding the government to account on various technical issues, was also noted. Councillor Baroness O'Neill is retiring from her leadership role and will be moving to the House of Lords, where she is expected to do a hell of a lot more and continue to work holding the government to account relentlessly, championing local government and standing up for Bexley.
  • Councillor Richard Diamond leaves after two terms, with his tenure marked by £30 million of investment into highways, resulting in Bexley's roads being rated the seventh best condition in the country. His efforts have also contributed to a cleaner space in the borough, with fly-tipping incidents decreasing according to DEFRA statistics. He supported the rollout of new bins and a number of great initiatives in neighbours.
  • Councillor Sue Gower MBE JP was commended for her work on domestic abuse and crime prevention, and for instilling the importance of taking a trauma-informed approach on a whole range of issues. Her mayoral year was described as superb and fun, during which she raised a lot of money.
  • Councillor Philip Reid served as cabinet member for children's services for 10 years, a period marked by great success with a double outstanding Ofsted. He also demonstrated diligent service on planning, but also GP and audit, receiving credit for getting the debt recovery, the focus for members. He was also a great champion of ERIF.
  • Councillor Anna Day and Councillor Nicola Taylor were recognised for their work on housing, you know, on the work in creating open space, the Hazel Row, working with Slay Green Knights, getting the fruit stall, the mural, and all that other stuff. Both were described as fantastic advocates for residents of Black City on housing.
  • Councillor Mabel Ogundayo was praised for leading the campaign to ensure Peabody rehoused social housing tenants during regeneration and for fight[ing] for families through leading the Feed the Bexley Kids campaign. She served as a governor at three schools, including as chair of Willow Bank School, and created community spaces like the Dads and Lads Club. She has pushed this council to recognise the impact of racism on global majority communities and contributed thoughtfully to sustainable transport, while supporting scrutiny and taking on multiple shadow cabinet roles.
  • Councillor Wendy Perfect, first elected in 1998, was noted for her work in getting benefit take-up and for her great job in Northumber and Heath. She feels now that it's time for me to move on.
  • Councillor Esther Amaning, who joined the council in 2010, championed equalities, diversity and fighting racism, and was involved in the Keep Terms with Tidy campaign.
  • Councillor Peter Reader, first elected in 1968, served as chairman of the planning committee and as a diligent and capable chairman of the General Purposes and Audit Committee, where he applied his accountancy background. He stated, I'm too old.
  • Councillor John Davey served as a dedicated ward councillor for 20 years and was a long-standing member of the Planning Committee, formerly chairing the Conservation Advisory Committee.
  • Councillor Cheryl Bacon, a stalwart for our group for many years, chaired many committees, including OSCS and the Bexley First Group, providing strong and diligent insights into policies and championing our borough's universal services.
  • Councillor Andy Dormish, who served as chairman of a resources committee and then the finance and corporate services committee, was Bexley's first Muslim mayor. He is seeking re-election in Bromley.
  • Councillor Chris Taylor held positions as Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Public Health, and later for Children and Families. He also served as Chairman of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education.
  • Councillor Geraldene Lucia-Hennis was recognised for her campaigning that she has undertaken.
  • Councillor Alan Downing was acknowledged for his service, as the husband of former Councillor Ross Downing.

Several former councillors were also remembered, including Councillor Colin Tandy and Councillor John Wilkinson, who have passed away. A minute's silence was held for Councillor Ross Downing, who represented Cray Meadows ward from 2006 to 2018, served as Mayoress in 2012-13, and Deputy Mayor in 2014-15.

Other councillors stepping down include Councillor Betts (48 years of service), Councillor Ogun-Dow (12 years of service), Councillor Gower (eight years of service), Councillor Diamond (eight years of service), Councillor Amaning (joined in 2010), Councillor Day (first elected in 2022), and Councillor Slaughter (50 years of service, first elected in 1998). Councillor Slaughter's retirement will allow him to get his life back again, especially as he's recently become a grandfather for the first time.

The meeting also referenced the Report of the Leader of the Council, which likely contains further details on council business and appointments. The Constitution for the meeting on April 15, 2026, was also available.