Contents

News roundup

Sidcup Community Diagnostic Centre

The Sidcup Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) was officially launched last month (22 October).

Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE joined Clinicians, service managers and others from local NHS as well as Members of Bexley Council and Louie French, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup at the official opening of the new Centre.

Sidcup community diagnostic centre

Sidcup CDC sits within Queen Mary’s Hospital, a long-standing and trusted NHS community hospital which is owned and managed by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.

The centre was custom built to high-specifications, including the installation of a top-end MRI machine – providing unparalleled scanning capabilities in a convenient location for Bexley residents.

Cillr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said at what was her last formal event as Leader of the Council:

This is something that I backed and fought for. I’m very proud of what everyone has achieved to make this site a reality. It will continue to grow and deliver the very best care for our residents.”

The final part of the launch event was a touching tribute to Robert Shaw, former NHS Director of Transformation for Greenwich and Bexley, NHS South East London Integrated Care System, who sadly passed away in 2023. Robert played a huge part of the planning and vision for Sidcup CDC.

Erith improvements

Following the £50,000 funding awarded to Erith Town Centre through the High Street Place Labs initiative three engagement workshops will take place during the Winter.

The workshops will build partnerships between local groups, the community and the Erith Town Partnership C.I.C and develop a shared strategy to continue to improve and transform Erith.

Shenstone School open for business

Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Caroline Newton was on hand following the opening of Shenstone School to meet Executive Headteacher Lori Ann Mackey at the new permanent site on Halt Robin Road in Belvedere and tour its new state-of-the art facilities.

It will provide additional secondary school places and presents a significant milestone for the London Borough of Bexley, the Shenstone School team and The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), delivering on Bexley’s ongoing pledge to support local children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

The new school will provide up to an additional 140 secondary school places for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, allowing the school to offer an ‘all through’ provision with places for children aged 2 to 19.

Councillor Newton said: 

This new school is a testament to the hard work and determination of Council Members, Officers and School Leaders to fulfil their promise of a new all through school for our young people with SEND. It is great news for the borough and will provide an exceptional environment for Shenstone’s pupils to grow and learn. I would like to thank parents and carers for working with us, as well as TKAT for working closely with the borough to help us achieve something which will benefit our young people for years to come.”

Executive Headteacher Lori Ann Mackey said: 

The smiles on the faces of the families, children and staff as they saw the new site for the first time made the past three years of planning and building worth it! On top of that, we are finally able to share our excellent Ofsted report from our visit in June - Outstanding in all areas! It is a privilege and honour to be the Executive Head of such a fabulous school with such a great team!”

Read Shenstone School’s full ofsted report

 

Shenstone school

Director of Children’s Services, Stephen Kitchman, Executive Headteacher Lori Ann Mackey and Cllr Newton

Adult social care inspection

An inspection of Bexley’s Adult Social Care services was carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at the end of September. The report and outcome willn not be received until January or February next year.

New Leader and Deputy

Following ratification by Full Council on 5 November, Cllr David Leaf is the new Leader of the London Borough of Bexley. He is also the Cabinet Member for Resources and Transformation

Cllr Leaf had been Deputy Leader to Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, who announced in October her decision to step down as Leader, in order to focus on her work in the House of Lords.

Our new Deputy Leader is Cllr Melvin Seymour who is also Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services and Health

The rest of the Cabinet are:

  • Cllr Brian Bishop - Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing
  • Cllr Richard Diment - Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods
  • Cllr Cafer Munur - Cabinet Member for Place Shaping
  • Cllr Caroline Newton - Cabinet Member for Education and Corporate Services
  • Cllr Chris Taylor - Cabinet Member for Children and Families

New community hub

Bexley Mencap has secured £486,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to develop a new Community Hub; an inclusive space offering a range of services, groups, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their families and carers.

A potential premises has been found but needs significant renovation before opening. Bexley Mencap are calling on our local community, trades and businesses to lend their support through donations of materials, pro-bono work, or volunteer time to help make this vision a reality.

Please email office@bexleymencap.org.uk for more information.

Growing our own

During 2025 the Council offered 57 work experience placements.  While they were with us the young people, who came from Bexley schools or were Bexley residents, were able to find out more about career options within local government.

Placements were within a range of departments including legal, finance, procurement, human resources, ICT, housing support and environmental services.

During their time existing apprentices talked to the students about their learning journeys. They also spent time with the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.

The Council is currently preparing to expand its work experience placements in certain areas, including Speech and Language specialist placements in partnership with Oxleas and Occupational Therapy placements.

Leader of the Council, Cllr David Leaf said

Work experience is a great way for pupils to get an insight into the world of work and inspire them into making good career choices. It’s also a way to attract and develop our future workforce, who will be part of our vision to provide the very best for our residents.”

The application process for next year’s work experience offer will open in January 2026.  Full details will appear on our website.  Work experience applicants must either be a Bexley Resident and/or attend a Bexley school.

Town Centre focus Bexleyheath

Bexleyheath town centre is great for indoor fun, fantastic food and memorable nights out.

Cabinet Member for Growth, Cllr Cafer Munur said:

Bexleyheath is a great destination for food lovers, with an array of restaurants, cafes and pubs. You can support local businesses and take your taste buds on a trip around the world without leaving the borough!”

For families and friends seeking friendly competition, the popular 10 Lane Bowling Alley is the place to visit. The Cinema is the perfect place to catch the latest blockbuster. For a social and exciting evening, head to Bingo for a great night out.

By choosing to eat, drink and play in Bexleyheath, visitors are helping to keep our main town centre vibrant and successful. 

For more information visit Enjoy Bexleyheath

town centre Bexleyheath