This meeting was to consider a number of issues relating to the Lampton Group of companies owned by the council. In particular, the meeting was to consider the appointment of Robin Porter as a Director of Lampton 360 Ltd and as Chair of the Lampton Group Board. The meeting was also to receive an update on the company's recent financial performance and to consider the company's business plan for 2025/26.

The Lampton Group 2025/26 Business Plan

The committee was asked to approve the Lampton Group’s business plan for 2025/26, which included a proposed budget for the year. The plan forecasts an overall deficit of £0.8m, which would be an improvement on the predicted outcome for the 2024/25 financial year. The report states that no additional borrowing would be required to fund the purchase of new homes by Lampton Investment or the development of new sites by Lampton Development. However, if it turns out that this is required, a report will be submitted to a future meeting of the Shareholder Committee and Cabinet.

The business plan contains a number of objectives for the various companies within the Lampton Group, including:

Recycle

• To work with Hounslow Council on a new fleet strategy in 2025/26 including transitioning the waste collection fleet to use HVO fuel¹ which can reduce CO2 emissions by 90%.
• Maintain the 99.98% right first-time collection rate.
• Increase the number of commercial customers from 300 to 450
• Double the commercial recycling volume through the Materials Handling Facility.

Greenspace

• To increase the ecological value of parks through naturalisation as well as additional urban grass and wildflower meadows.
• Support the Bedfont Lakes masterplan in advance of work starting in 2026.
• Meet or exceed the 98% response rate to fly tipping in parks within 48 hours

Coalo

• Introduce a new joint operating model for responsive repairs and voids on the back of the end-to-end review by September 2025.
• Develop a retrofit solution with LB Hounslow.

Lampton Investment

• Stabilise the portfolio and move to a long-term sustainable model by March 2026.
• Install new high energy efficient boilers to help tenants lower their bills and lessen their environmental impact.
• Reduce number of agency staff by employing more staff directly
• To be 100% compliant each month on gas servicing, electrical testing, fire risk assessments, and life inspections.

Leisure

• Will work with the NHS to allow them to prescribe physical activity at our leisure centres.
• Grow fitness memberships by 7% and swim school memberships by 10% year on year.
• Leisure capital spend will be funded by LB Hounslow.

Appointment of Robin Porter

The meeting was also to consider a report on the appointment of a new Director and Chair of the Lampton Group board.

The Shareholder Committee is asked to approve the appointment of Robin Porter as a Director of Lampton 360 Ltd for a period of 3 years from May 2025 and that he will also be the new Chair of the Lampton Group board from that date. The Shareholder Committee is responsible for the appointment of Directors to the Group board as well as the appointment of the Chair of the Board.

— Agenda item 1 Hounslow Companies Update Report

The report also includes the following information about the role of the Shareholder Committee in making such appointments:

The Shareholder Committee Terms of Reference published in November 2023 Cabinet states that the Shareholder Committee is responsible for the:

(g) Appointment, removal, and the remuneration of directors (members of the company board)

(h) Selection of the chair of the board

— Agenda item 1 Hounslow Companies Update Report