The Borough Council of Hounslow Council met on Tuesday 03 March 2026 to discuss a range of important financial and administrative matters. Key among these were the proposed budget for 2026/27, including the setting of Council Tax levels, and the Members' Scheme of Allowances for the same period. The Council was also scheduled to consider the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27, outlining the council's approach to senior officer remuneration and the relationship between senior and other employee pay.

Petitions

The meeting was scheduled to receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services regarding petitions that had been presented to the Mayor. The report was intended to note petitions that had been forwarded to other formal bodies of the Authority or to ward councillors or officers for consideration, and to note any responses from members to petitions heard at the meeting. The report detailed a list of ten petitions that had been referred to various bodies for consideration, including requests for Site Hall Gardens zone inclusion in the South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood, improvements to road safety in Thornberry Road and Osterley Corridor, and improvements to Lampton Park with lighting and CCTV.

Budget 2026/27

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the reference report to the Borough Council from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10th February 2026 concerning the Budget for 2026/27. This report, presented by Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, outlined the Cabinet's formal recommendations for the General Fund revenue budget and the resulting Council Tax level. It also detailed the recommended Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget, the capital programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30, the updated Capital Strategy, fees and charges, and the Treasury Management Annual Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy, Statement on Minimum Revenue Provision, and Prudential and Treasury Indicators.

The report indicated that the General Fund budget recommendations would result in a Council Tax Requirement of £158.437 million, leading to a Band D Council Tax of £1,675.05, an increase of 4.99%. This increase was comprised of a 2% Adult Social Care precept and a 2.99% general increase. The report also noted that the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept would be £510.51 for a Band D property, an annual increase of £20.13. The budget proposals included a savings programme of £26.1 million for 2026/27, alongside an additional £21.3 million over the July 2025 estimates for the 2026/27 budget due to changes in Local Government funding and a full business rates reset.

The report detailed recommendations for the Council Tax resolution, including the calculation of amounts for each valuation band and the determination that the council's basic amount of Council Tax is not excessive. It also outlined recommendations for the revenue budget, including savings proposals for 2026/27 and 2027/28, the fees and charges schedule, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget, and Dedicated Schools Grant allocations. Recommendations were also made regarding reserves, the capital programme, the Capital Strategy, and the Treasury Management Strategy.

The report included a Section 25 report from the Executive Director of Finance and Resources (Chief Finance Officer) commenting on the adequacy of the council's balances and reserves and the robustness of the estimates underpinning the budget.

Members' Scheme of Allowances 2026-27

The Council was also scheduled to consider the Members' Scheme of Allowances for 2026-27, presented by Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council. The report requested the Borough Council to approve the continuation of the current Scheme of Members' Allowances, with two proposed changes. These included an amendment to the Scheme of Members' Allowances in line with the recommendations on dependent carers' allowance, which would be paid at the London Living Wage, and the annual uplift to the Basic Allowance and existing Special Responsibility Allowances. The report reminded members that they could opt out of receiving allowances and noted the council's insurance cover for members engaged on council business.

Pay Policy Statement 2026/27

Finally, the Council was due to consider the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27, presented by Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council and Portfolio holder for Strategy, Resources and External Affairs. This statement outlined the council's policy on the remuneration of its Chief Officers and the relationship between the remuneration of Chief Officers and other employees. It also detailed the council's approach to the publication of information relating to Chief Officer remuneration and the pay gaps for gender, ethnicity, and disability. The report noted that there were no notable financial implications for the Council that would not be managed within existing resources. The Pay Gap Report, detailing the median and mean gender, ethnicity, and disability pay gaps, was also attached as Appendix B.