Councils Across London Cancel Official Meetings

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No common policy among local authorities over ongoing business

The Queen talking to firefighters

London councils are currently deciding whether to cancel and postpone upcoming meetings following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle, Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement at 6.30pm on Thursday (8 September).

The Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

The UK will observe 10 days of national mourning from Friday (September, 9) to mark the passing of the 96-year-old monarch, who reigned for 70 years and is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. The mourning period will last until the Queen’s funeral, which is expected to be held on Monday, September, 19 at Westminster Abbey. Former prime ministers, members of government and heads of state from across the Commonwealth and the rest of the world will attend the funeral, as well as the Queen’s family.

Local authorities have been arranging books of condolences and borough-wide events to allow residents to pay their respects. However, not all councils have decided if they will be holding meetings.

Newham Council, Wandsworth Council, Croydon Council and Kensington and Chelsea Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that all their meetings will be cancelled until after the Queen’s funeral. It is understood that Tower Hamlets, Ealing and Hillingdon Councils have also called off upcoming meetings.

However, Westminster City Council said that all upcoming meetings will go ahead during the mourning period apart from those scheduled on the day of the Queen’s funeral.

Several London councils including Lewisham, Greenwich, Bromley, Kingston, Sutton and Richmond said they are yet to make a final decision, but will confirm later on their websites.

Merton Council confirmed all meetings including council, pensions committee and the joint consultative committee had been postponed until a later date. A full council meeting will now take place on Wednesday, 21 September.

Southwark, Lambeth, Bexley, Sutton, Hounslow, Brent, Harrow, Hammersmith and Fulham and City of London Councils have all been contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service for comment.

Joe Talora - Local Democracy Reporter

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September 9, 2022