Wandsworth Cabinet sets out programme of sound investment in the borough

Sound financial management is at the heart of everything we do. Wandsworth has some of the highest financial reserves and lowest levels of debt in London, allowing us to deliver the lowest council tax in the country and invest in what matters most to residents - cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods and a stronger community. 

Thanks to funds the council collects from property developers, we continue to invest in our schools, transport network, sporting, leisure and community facilities. These improvements benefit growth and renewal across the borough – without adding a penny to your council tax. 

Through strong partnerships the Council has delivered transformative and innovative projects for local people. Apple’s Digital Creativity Programme, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Springfield Park - London’s largest new park in more than a decade - have all been achieved through partnerships to provide excellent value for residents at no cost to local taxpayers. 

Access for All 

Our ambitious Access for All scheme, which works to make life more affordable and inclusive for residents, is already improving thousands of people’s lives across the borough less than six months since it was expanded to include more offers and a simpler sign-up process. 

So far, over 6,500 residents have signed up, including many in receipt of Universal Credit, Free School Meals and Carer’s Allowance. 

People have already benefitted from: 

• Free or discounted use of the borough’s leisure centres, with almost 30,000 visits through the scheme since May, and over 3,000 free tickets for Tooting Bec Lido. 
• Thousands of discounted tickets sold for flagship London Borough of Culture events like Country on the Common, Battersea Park in Concert and Secret Cinema’s Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical. 
• Free school uniform vouchers of up to £170 for 1,200 students entering Reception or Year 7 ahead of the new school year.
• Concession memberships with micro-mobility providers Lime, Forest and Voi, providing half-price discounts for e-scooter and e-bike hire, with over 100 members already signed up. 
• 136 Baby Boxes allocated to new parents, providing them with essentials goods to support their baby’s early years and linking them into the council’s Family Hub services. 

It has also recently been recognised by the Local Government Association as an example of innovative and best practice within local government, with other local authorities looking to Wandsworth for advice on how to implement something similar in other areas of the country.  

Next Cabinet meeting

You can watch the live feed from last night’s meeting here. 

The next Cabinet meeting will take place on 3 November. The agenda and reports will be published the week before and residents will be able to see the decisions the Cabinet will be making.