The Mayor invited Full Council to watch a video clip with contributions from Shahrokh Adhlani, Sandra Ruiz, and Hanan Wahabi as part of Grenfell Testimony Week.

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council to address the meeting. Councillor Campbell then rose to speak:

Mr Mayor, we have much to talk about and process this evening, but it would be wrong of me to address Full Council tonight without first updating colleagues on the horrific events in the north of the borough on Sunday evening. A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in broad daylight in one of our own parks. To say this is shocking would be a huge understatement.

First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of the boy –it is difficult to imagine what they must be going through right now. Police are still investigating what happened and, of course, the big question of why such a senseless killing has happened and why at a place where families should have been safe and enjoying themselves. Mr Mayor, I visited Emslie Horniman Park first thing Monday morning and met with the police and the local MP, and our teams have been in contact with local Councillors. I spoke with residents. The level of concern is palpable. People are in a state of shock and anger. I have seen the media coverage, with people describing the panic and fear as they ran for cover.

The event on Sunday was billed as a family fun day – which is exactly what it should have been. To end in such tragic and violent circumstances is something that cannot be ignored. Nor can the concerns of Londoners. Like many boroughs across London, it feels like we are starting to see a worrying new normal, where crime now involves guns. The Mayor of London, the Met Police, and those now in Government need to act and act quickly. Real leadership is required in this city and on this issue above all else – as tragic events like this demonstrate in the worst possible terms the consequences of allowing gun and knife crime to continue creeping into our society, in this city.

Sarah will be speaking about our own approach tonight and in the coming days. This will include community engagement on the ground, and we have teamed-up with police to conduct enhanced patrols in the area. We will both continue to fight for more police on our streets in this borough. We both believe a deterrent can only be effective if it is visible.

Mr Mayor, at this point, let me turn to other items on the agenda. But first, thank you to our younger speakers – as ever, the topics you raise and the way you speak about them is inspiring, and we truly hope you are the next generation of politicians.

Mr Mayor, tragic events always need our full attention, whether it was something that happened this week or over seven years ago. I always felt it to be incredibly important to share the experience of Testimony Week with those who represent our communities across the borough. Seven months on, the testimony we have just seen is as raw as it ever was. I spoke at length in January about the bravery of the families involved and what an impact the week had had on us as an organisation. It provided the impetus for change.

As we approach the final inquiry report on 4 September, I believe the same applies. It will be a hugely significant moment for our communities. And I will make sure it is a significant moment for this organisation, so we continue to become a better organisation – a lasting legacy from Grenfell.

But, Mr Mayor, I also believe actions speak louder than words. As the footage you have seen this evening shows you, many people rightly feel we haven't yet changed enough. We still have a long way to go to complete the fundamental culture change we are committed to. But tonight, I want to give councillors an update on what we have done since the end of phase one of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and its recommendations:

One: All Fire Risk Assessments of external walls for all our higher-rise buildings have been completed and were sent to the London Fire Brigade before any legal requirement to do so.

Two: The Inquiry called for urgent inspection of all fire doors and to ensure all relevant fire doors are fitted with self-closures. We have completed 98 per cent of our fire door replacement programme, replacing more than 3,000 doors in our higher-risk buildings. In some cases – as the fire door market was found wanting – we have had to replace them twice or even three times. What’s more, we are now replacing a further 1,400 in lower-risk, low-rise buildings by the end of 2024.

Three: Doors are tested regularly in buildings over 11m, and 99.6 per cent of communal doors passed their inspection this year.

Four: We have written to all residents in blocks over 11m to offer person-centred fire-risk assessments. Vulnerable residents identified during this process are offered a personal emergency evacuation plan – a PEEP. As of June 2024, we had completed 748 assessments and issued 362 plans. There is currently no legislation or guidance on introducing PEEPs, and we continue to call on the Government to implement this recommendation.

Five: We have installed Secure Information Boxes on all residential buildings over 11m, going further than the recommendation of adding them to buildings of 18m and taller.

Six: We have implemented monthly lift inspections, including the lift switches, which allow firefighters to take control of lifts.

Seven: We sent booklets to Council tenants and leaseholders explaining the evacuation procedure for their specific block. Floor plans are also stored in building Secure Information Boxes and sent to the London Fire Brigade.

Eight: The Inquiry called for all high-rise buildings’ floor numbers to be clearly marked on each landing. We had completed this recommendation ahead of the deadline of January 2023.

Mr Mayor, some of this information is technical of course, but it is important, and I mention it here tonight because I want colleagues in this chamber, and people in our communities, to know that when we say we will do something, we mean it. We are sure-footed in the changes we have made as an organisation. But we are also honest about what we have done and what we have not yet achieved. So when the final phase of the inquiry arrives in September, we will again look hard at the recommendations and what we need to do.

In the months ahead, I look forward to working with all members to make sure our response is credible, honest, and community-led. Thank you

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Opposition to address the meeting. Councillor Ali then rose to speak:

Mr Mayor, RBKC residents are continuously contacting us, RBKC councillors, about the war in Gaza, which is affecting the entire the Middle East region. According to the latest Reuters news quoting Gaza authorities' figures, more than 39,000 people were killed in 10 months of warfare. The killing of innocent Palestinians must end, and Israeli hostage must be released to join their families. RBKC Labour Group of Councillors, together with the UK Labour Government, will continue to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages.

I understand the last government did not call for a ceasefire, but this Labour government called for a ceasefire. I wish to thank our new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, the State Minister Anneliese Dodds MP, and the entire FCO leadership for not only calling a ceasefire but also adding the two-state solution to the King's Speech and releasing much needed humanitarian funds to UNRWA - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

Mr Mayor, last month was the 7th Grenfell anniversary and we have just seen the video about the Testimony week. The 7th Year Grenfell Anniversary has passed, and the 8th Year Grenfell Anniversary is ten months away, and yet no one is held accountable for the 72 victims who lost their lives. The Labour Group of Councillors will continue to demand justice for Grenfell victims.

As I said before, I personally will never forget what happened on that unfortunate night, and the disaster will forever be remembered as a man-made disaster; the shocking thing is that those who are responsible are still free and live a normal life, whereas their lives of the families impacted by the disaster have changed forever. The local community will not rest until those responsible for the disaster are brought to justice, and the sooner, the better.

I am aware that the past Testimony events formed part of a Settlement Agreement signed in 2023, which was the result of a civil claim brought by a group of bereaved, survivors and residents affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire against a group of defendants, including local government organisations, private companies, central government departments, and the London Fire Brigade.

It is worth noting that the link between former Grenfell Tower residents and all the other defendants, including the private companies, is the Council. Therefore, the local communities want to know who is responsible for the disaster and how long will it take to get justice done for the families?

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report will be published on 4 September. I hope that there will be no further delays this time and that the government will implement the recommendations fully.

Mr Mayor, the safety and security of our residents is a top priority for the Labour Group of Councillors, and indeed, it should be for all councillors. The latest shooting in North Kensington is alarming; two shootings in Golborne ward since last year where, sadly, a woman and a 15-year old boy lost their lives—my deepest condolences to both families for their losses.

There was a shooting in Notting Dale Ward where two teenage boys were injured. I visited the victims at the hospital, and I wish them a speedy recovery. There was also a shooting in Portobello Road; thankfully, no one was injured. I want to thank the local Police and our Council Officers for their immediate responses to all terrible incidents.

We, the Council, local police, MPs, and the government should work together to keep our residents safe, and on that note, I will write to the new Home Secretary to keep our police stations in Kensington and Chelsea on and recruit more police officers for our communities' safety. All the shootings happened in North Kensington, and the only police station in the borough is in the south of the borough. The last conservative government when led by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson implemented one police station for every borough.

Mr Mayor, speaking for the government, I wish to thank Labour Group Councillors for their excellent efforts, which helped gain not only two Labour MPs in RBKC but a Labour Government, which will hopefully improve the living standards of RBKC residents.

Mr Mayor, as a professional and helpful Councillor (as suggested by our constituents), I wish you and all Councillors a restful summer break. Thank you.