One has to ask whether a complete monopoly of elected LibDem members following Thursday’s voting is good for local democracy. Members’ treatment of any questioning of their decision-making was bad enough under the previous regime. The Leadership ran the Borough as if they owned it, with decisions made behind closed doors and no obvious questioning in Council or Committees.

There are some big decisions to be made where residents’ views should be given considerable weight. In East Sheen and Mortlake what happens now at the Stag Brewery, given that there will be no secondary school, is of the utmost importance. And this is not a subject where the Council can deny any involvement or simply engage in private discussions with the developers, and then announce a fait accompli.

Falling primary class sizes across the Borough, especially in Barnes, might lead to the need for some difficult decisions.

How to manage traffic problems, even without the additional burden of 1200 students entering the area, remains a problem. E-bikes will no doubt be one solution but their management is an issue for users and residents. Negotiations must be continuing but we should be told what is happening. ‘Commercial sensitiivity’ as a reason for more closed door activity is simply not good enough.

With no democratic process operating within the Council Corridors of Power, outside local groups will have to keep a weather eye out.