Teresa O’Neill has been re-elected as the leader of Bexley Council for what could be a challenging four years in charge.

Conservatives saw off Labour pressure to win a majority in Bexley at the election, and Cllr O’Neill was formerly announced as the leader again on Wednesday night, May 23.

“It’s nice people have trusted in us again”, Cllr O’Neill said afterwards, “This is my 10th year, but we are still fresh and we have a lot of good ideas for the next term.

“It’s nice to get encouragement through a strong majority.”

Councils across the country are facing increasing austerity, due to dwindling grants and the government cutting funding.

In Bexley, the council has to be self-sufficient by 2020 – and according to one council report its spending power will reduce by over £14m by then, meaning raising cash is a priority for the council.

Cllr O’Neil said: “We do have to become self-sufficient, but we don’t do one-year budgets – we have had this in our sights for a while.”

“We also have the plans in our growth agenda, that’s where we have work to do.

“It’s going to be a challenge and I don’t shy away from that. But, I think we are up for it.”

Bexley’s ambitious growth plan was agreed in December following months of consultations.

The long term vision focuses on the north of the borough, and sets out goals for major redevelopments, including 31,000 homes and 17,500 jobs.

The agenda is centred around an extension of Crossrail through Bexley, and plans to regenerate shopping areas and create new neighbourhoods.

The leader added: “The focus with the growth agenda is that we want to give residents a real deal. That’s a priority – it’s exciting and we have ideas. It’s about putting the residents of Bexley first, through partnerships.

“You’ve seen what partnership can do with the operation in Erith, it’s about doing what is best for the people of the borough.”

On Tuesday, a huge joint operation was carried out at an industrial park between the council, police, and the home office leading to penalties and vehicle seizures.

Last week, the leader of the Labour opposition said his priorities were the growth in the borough as well as combating the capital’s housing crises.