The Cabinet of Ealing Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including the award of a bi-borough leisure contract, a climate strategy refresh, and updates on various procurement and contract matters. The meeting will also cover budget monitoring and agreements with the NHS.

Here are some of the topics that the Cabinet is expected to discuss:

Bi-Borough Leisure Contract

The Cabinet will consider a report seeking approval for the award of a contract for leisure services for ten years, with the option to extend for a further five years. The report also seeks approval to enter into an Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) with the London Borough of Harrow to share contract management responsibilities.

The report recommends awarding the contract to Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM), also known as Everyone Active. According to the report, SLM will:

• Deliver a local employment and skills strategy.
• Ensure a minimum of 80% of their workforce are residents of the boroughs they serve.
• Deliver an Apprenticeship Careers Programme offering 195 employment pathways.
• Embed social value in procurement through support for local enterprises and SMEs, including a local spend of £7.1m over the contract term.
• Lead the delivery of a Net Zero aligned Environmental Management Strategy.
• Deliver targeted programmes to reduce inequality and social isolation.

The report notes that the new Gurnell Leisure Centre is included in the procurement package, with a projected opening in 2027/28. The following leisure facilities are also within the scope of the procurement:

• Everyone Active Acton Centre
• Dormers Wells Leisure Centre
• Northolt Leisure Centre
• Brent Valley Golf Course & Fitness Centre
• Perivale Park Athletic Track
• Greenford Sports Centre
• Northolt High School Sports Centre
• Reynolds Sports Centre
• Swift Road Outdoor Sports Centre
• A new sports hall and gym in the Green Quarter, Southall.

The report states that the council's strategic objectives for the leisure contract include:

• Protecting and enhancing the physical and mental health of all.
• Increasing participation, especially amongst low participant groups.
• Providing support and services to older residents and those with a disability.
• Providing facilities and activities for women and young people.
• Improving public health and wellbeing, especially contributing towards tackling health inequalities.
• Providing employment opportunities for local people.
• Contributing towards tackling the climate emergency.

Climate Strategy Refresh and 2025 Progress Report

Councillor Paul Driscoll, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, is expected to present the 2025 Progress Report of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy (CEES). The report seeks endorsement for a Better Living Framework, a Collective Action Plan, and a new Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Strategy, which are intended to supplement the original strategy.

The Better Living Framework aims to ensure that climate action delivers tangible benefits for residents, focusing on:

• Healthier Lives
• Comfortable Spaces
• Greener Borough
• Improved Financial Resilience
• Good Jobs
• Social Connection

The Collective Action Plan is designed to enable and galvanise participation in climate action by removing barriers, fostering partnerships, and embedding inclusive engagement practices. The planned Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy will be published as a standalone document.

The report highlights several achievements since the adoption of the CEES in 2021, including:

• The largest deployment of solar power in West London.
• Planting over 41,500 trees since 2022.
• Installing over 1,000 electric vehicle charge points.
• Planning a 575-hectare Regional Park connecting green spaces.
• Enabling 19 schools to save over £50,000 per year on energy bills through community-owned solar power.

West London Alliance (WLA) Employment Support Contract Changes

The Cabinet will discuss changes to the West London Alliance (WLA) Employment Support Contract. In January 2025, Ealing Council awarded the West London Strategic Employment Support Contract to The Shaw Trust¹. The report recommends extending the contract with The Shaw Trust for a period of 3 years from 1 April 2028.

The report also recommends varying the contract to include additional caseloads in 2025/26 for the Connect to Work service and to extend the term for this service to the end of the financial year 2030/31. The Connect to Work (CtW) programme is an employment support programme for people whose health is a barrier to employment.

The report also recommends varying the contract to include additional caseloads in 2025/2026 for the WorkWell service and to extend the term of this service to the end of the financial year 2028/29. WorkWell is an NHS-led service that provides early access to employment support for people being treated in primary care.

The report also recommends varying the contract to extend the term of the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Trailblazer service to the end of the financial year 2026/27. The MSK Trailblazer provides intensive clinical and employment support to people who are not in employment due to their MSK condition.

The report also recommends extending the contract with VIA (formerly Westminster Drug Project) to deliver the IPS Service for users of Drug and Alcohol treatment services for a further 2 years from 1 April 2026.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Update

The Cabinet will receive an update on the use of the council's powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)² and to update the council's RIPA policy.

The report notes that there were no RIPA applications for covert surveillance made in the period 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025. The report recommends approving the updated RIPA policy and the appointment of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services as senior responsible officer (SRO) for directed surveillance, use of covert human intelligence sources, and obtaining communications data. The report also recommends approving the appointment of several roles as authorising officers for directed surveillance and the use of covert intelligence.

Other Matters

The Cabinet will also consider the following matters:

• 2025/26 Quarter 2 Budget Monitoring Report: The Cabinet will note the estimated General Fund and Housing Revenue Account forecast underspends for 2025/26, as well as the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) forecast deficit.
• Section 75 Framework Agreement: The Cabinet will consider entering into a new Partnership Agreement with NHS North West London Integrated Care Board (NHS NWL ICB) under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006.
• Termination of Development Agreement: The Cabinet will discuss terminating the Development Agreement and the Compulsory Purchase Order Indemnity Agreement in relation to The Green, Southall.
• West London Waste Plan: The Cabinet will consider the draft West London Waste Plan for consultation.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy: The Cabinet will review the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.