London town halls mull over postponing meetings following Queen Elizabeth II’s death

By Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

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.

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 today 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 a week after 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.

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

Wandsworth council said all its meetings would be cancelled until after the Queen’s funeral.

However, Westminster City council said all upcoming meetings would 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, September 21.

Southwark, Lambeth, Bexley, Croydon, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham councils have all been contacted for comment.

Pictured top: Flowers left outside Buckingham Palace (Picture: PA)