The Cabinet of Ealing Council met on Wednesday 11 February 2026, approving the 2026/27 budget and medium-term financial strategy, which included significant savings and revenue growth. Key decisions were also made regarding the disposal of the Gurnell residential site and the award of a contract for works at Villiers High School.

2026/27 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy

Cabinet approved total General Fund savings of £20.5 million over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30, with £11.9 million to be delivered in the 2026/27 financial year. Revenue growth of £30.4 million was also approved for pressures and investments in 2026/27. The budget proposals were presented in advance of the final Local Government Finance Settlement, with authority delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources, in consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, to make any necessary amendments. Councillor Peter Mason, Leader of the Council, thanked officers for their work in bringing together what he described as a historic no-cuts budget, the first in fifteen years. The report outlining these proposals can be found in the 2026-27 Budget Strategy Report FINAL, with further details in Appendix 1 - Draft 2026-27 Revenue Budget and Appendix 2 - Pressures and Investments and Savings 2026 2030.

Gurnell Residential Site Disposal

Cabinet agreed to enter into a development agreement and development lease with Countryside Properties (UK) Limited for the disposal of the Gurnell residential site, located adjacent to the Gurnell Leisure Centre. The residential development is considered enabling development for the new leisure centre, providing a capital receipt to support its funding. The agreement will also contribute towards meeting the borough's housing target set by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director for Economy and Sustainability to agree final versions of the development agreement and lease, and to take all necessary steps to facilitate the project. The report detailing this decision is available as the Gurnell residential site disposal adjacent to Gurnell Leisure Centre, with supporting documents including Appendix 5 for Gurnell residential site disposal adjacent to Gurnell Leisure Centre.

Villiers High School Award of Main Works Contract

A contract was awarded to Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Limited for the Villiers High School Places construction works. The existing capital budget for the school was increased from £26.722 million to £29.320 million to reflect the total costs, with the additional £2.597 million to be funded from grant, reserves, and a contribution from the school. This decision allows for the progression of capital works at the school. The relevant report is the Villiers High School Award of Main Works Contract, which includes Appendix 1 for Villiers High School Award of Main Works Contract.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2026-27

Cabinet approved the HRA revenue budget for 2026/27 and the updated 30-year HRA Business Plan Model for Revenue and Capital Programmes. This includes capital programme budgets and funding for HRA Asset Management, Landlord Services, Housing Improvement Digital Programme, Street Lighting upgrade, and Housing Development. A rent increase of 4.8% was approved for social and affordable rents, HRA-owned hostels and dwellings used as temporary accommodation, and properties at Leamington Park. Garage rents and commercial property rents will also increase. The report detailing these decisions is the HRA Business Plan 2026-27.

0-19 Healthy Child Programme Contract Arrangements for 2026

An interim contract was approved for the direct award to Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCH) for a 15-month period, commencing 1 October 2025 until 31 December 2026. This is to ensure the continued provision of the statutory 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) service while a new contract is procured. This was considered the most optimal option to allow officers time to prepare tenders for the open market. The report is titled 0-19 Healthy Child Programme Contract Arrangements for 2026.

2026/27 S106 Service Spend Plan

Cabinet agreed to incept capital budgets of £11.871 million into the capital programme, to be funded by Section 106 (S106) resources. Additionally, up to £0.610 million was agreed to be added to service revenue budgets, also funded from S106 resources. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Resources to agree any adjustments to the approved budgets to match eligible expenditure during the year. The 202627 S106 Service Spend Plan outlines these decisions, with supporting appendices including Appendix 1 for 202627 S106 Service Spend Plan and Appendix 2 for 202627 S106 Service Spend Plan. Section 106 agreements are legal obligations that require developers to fund specific development mitigation measures.

Community-Led Regeneration Charter

The Community-led Regeneration Charter was approved, aiming to bring greater consistency and clarity in how local communities can engage, inform, influence, and shape regeneration projects across the borough. The Charter will focus on amplifying the voices of seldom-heard groups. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director for Economy & Sustainability to approve changes to the Charter and its accompanying Engagement Toolkit, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Good Growth and New Homes. This aligns with the commitment in the Council's Plan 2022–2026 to set out a new Community Led Regeneration Charter. The Charter itself is available as Community-led Regeneration Charter, with Appendix 1 for Community-led Regeneration Charter and Appendix 2 for Community-led Regeneration Charter Engagement Report.

Community School Admissions Arrangements 2027/28

Cabinet approved the council's community school admission arrangements and Published Admission Numbers (PANs) for the academic year 2027/28. This includes the introduction of a criterion for children of staff. The schemes for coordination to reception and year 7 for 2027/28, as part of Pan London coordination, were also adopted. The Community School Admissions Arrangements 202728 document details these arrangements, with Appendix 5 for Community School Admissions Arrangements 202728 providing further information.

Council Plan Performance Report Q2 2025/26

Cabinet noted the contents of the Council Plan Performance Report for the second quarter of 2025/26. This report monitors the council's progress in achieving its commitments outlined in the Council Plan. The report is available as the Council Plan Performance Report Q2 202526.

Dame Gertrude Young House

A decision was made to run an open tender to procure a supported housing service at Dame Gertrude House for men aged 18 and over with complex mental health needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The contract will be for three years with the option to extend for up to two additional years. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Environment to award the contract and exercise any extension options. This ensures the continuity of a critical service. The report is titled Dame Gertrude Young House.

E-bike Enforcement Policy

Cabinet approved the E-Bike Enforcement Procedure and agreed to its implementation for a six-month pilot period. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Housing & Environment to continue the procedure following the pilot. This policy aims to address issues related to obstructively parked e-bikes, responding to resident feedback and accessibility concerns, and supporting the council's policy for mandatory parking in designated bays. The E-bike Enforcement Policy document includes Appendix 1 for E-bike Enforcement Policy.

Gurnell Leisure Centre: Enabling Works and Ground Risk Mitigation

Cabinet agreed to enter into a ground risk mitigation and enabling works contract with Willmott Dixon for works at the Gurnell Leisure Centre site. This decision is informed by risk management and cost efficiency, with the enabling works addressing essential ground remediation and site preparation to reduce uncertainty around soil conditions before committing to the full construction contract. The report is Gurnell Ground Risk Mitigation and Enabling Works, which includes Appendix A - Equalities Analysis Assessment EAA.

Insurance Procurement Strategy

Cabinet agreed to procure council-wide insurance contracts, excluding property, for a term of four years with an optional two-year extension. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources, to award the contracts and exercise the extension options. Adequate insurance is necessary to protect the council from significant financial losses from unexpected events. The report is the Insurance Procurement Strategy.

Q3 2025/26 Budget Update

Cabinet noted the estimated General Fund forecast overspend of £5.023 million and a Housing Revenue Account forecast underspend of £0.721 million for 2025/26. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) forecast deficit of £11.896 million for 2025/26 was also noted, along with the 2025/26 capital programme forecast. The re-profiling of £12.881 million of 2025/26 capital programme budgets was approved. Cabinet also noted that the council is bidding for Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 grant, and delegated authority to the Strategic Director, Resources, to accept the grant if successful. The report is the Quarter 3 Budget Monitoring Report 202526 Cabinet.

West London Alliance Joint Committee

Cabinet agreed to the establishment of a new Joint Committee known as the West London Alliance Joint Committee, comprising the London boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Harrow, and Hounslow. This new committee will replace the West London Economic Prosperity Board. Ealing Council will be a member of this new committee, adopting its functions and procedure rules. The Leader of the Council will be appointed as the Council's representative. The relevant documents are the Cover report WLAJC - Terms of Reference and Appendix 1 West London Alliance Joint Committee Function and Procedure Rules.