This week in Ealing:

Al Shorfa Licence Under Review After Violence

The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Thursday to review the premises licence for Al Shorfa Ltd, a venue at Centre House, St Leonards Road, Park Royal, following a request from the Metropolitan Police. The review was prompted by a serious crime and disorder incident on June 9th, 2025.

• Police Constable Victoria Hewison stated that the licensee had failed to uphold licensing objectives, specifically the prevention of crime and disorder, and public safety.
• PC Hewison's statement included a list of incidents at the premises since April 2024, including assaults, drug dealing, and a fight involving 30 people.
• CCTV footage reportedly showed individuals, including Rehan Ahmed, in possession of weapons and engaging in violence.
• The sub-committee had previously imposed interim measures, including upgraded CCTV, ID scanners, and real-time CCTV access for police.
• The sub-committee could have modified the licence conditions, removed licensable activities, removed the designated premises supervisor, suspended the licence, revoked the licence, or left it unchanged.

The outcome of the meeting was not available at the time of writing.

Children's Services Scrutiny Focuses on Kinship Care and SEND

The Children's Services Scrutiny Panel met on Tuesday to discuss the progress of children's services following an Ofsted inspection, and to review the Children's Social Care Self-Evaluation for 2024/25.

• The panel reviewed the actions taken to address recommendations from the 2024 Ofsted report, which graded the area of 'Help and Protection' as 'Requires Improvement to be Good'.
• The panel recommended that the council continue developing a strategy for kinship carers, who provide care for children unable to live with their parents.
• The panel also requested a future report on transition planning for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including how businesses could contribute.

Safer Neighbourhood Board Discusses Crime Trends and Project Funding

The Ealing Safer Neighbourhood Board met on Tuesday to discuss police reports, ward panel updates, and project funding.

• The police reported a 20% decrease in calls for service, but an increase in knife crime incidents.
• They also noted an increase in organised criminal gangs using county lines to distribute drugs into Ealing.
• The board discussed funding for several community safety projects, facing a shortfall of over £6,000.

General Purposes Committee Reviews Food and Health Safety Plans

The General Purposes Committee met on Wednesday to review the Food and Health and Safety Service Plans for 2025-2026.

• The Food Service Plan outlined the council's obligations under the Food Safety Act 1990, noting that Ealing has approximately 3,500 registered food premises.
• The Health and Safety Service Plan detailed how the council plans to enforce health and safety regulations, as mandated by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• The plans identified potential challenges, including staff resourcing, service reorganisation, and the cost of living crisis.

Health Scrutiny Panel Examines Adult Social Care and Borough Health

The Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel met on Thursday to discuss adult social care, borough health, and the work of Ealing Healthwatch.

• The panel received an update on the progress of work addressing recommendations made in previous Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Local Government Association (LGA) inspection reports.
• The CQC had previously rated Ealing as 'requires improvement' for adult social care.
• The panel considered the Health of the Borough Report 2024-2025, which highlighted the Ealing Health Inequalities Dashboard and the work of Ealing's Community Champions.
• The panel also received the annual report from Ealing Healthwatch, detailing its activities and impact over the past year.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 15 July 2025 to discuss the scrutiny annual report, the licensing policy renewal, and the council's petition scheme. Link to meeting
• The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025 to discuss a new housing strategy, electric vehicle infrastructure, community engagement, and improvements to Warren Farm. Link to meeting
• The Pension Fund Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The North West London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Scrutiny Panel 4 - 2024/2025: Strategy and Change is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Audit Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 24 July 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Ealing:

Children's Centres Face Reconsideration After Call-In

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday to discuss the call-in of a decision regarding the Improved Early Help Offer and Early Help Strategy 2025-2028. The committee voted to send the decision back to the cabinet for reconsideration, following concerns raised about the planned reduction of children's centres from 25 to 15.

• Councillors who requested the call-in, including Councillor Gary Malcolm and Councillor Jon Ball, argued that there was a lack of evidence to show how the closures would improve access to services.
• They also criticised the consultation process, stating that it was biased and did not adequately consider the needs of disadvantaged groups.
• The committee agreed that the cabinet should reconsider the decision, taking into account the concerns raised.

Schools Forum Agrees to Claw Back Excess Balances

The Ealing Schools Forum met on Wednesday to discuss school funding for 2024-25 and 2025-26. A key decision was made to implement a clawback mechanism for schools with excessive surplus balances.

• The forum reviewed school balances and deficits as of 31 March 2025, revealing that 62 schools had a surplus while 13 were in deficit.
• The forum considered reasonable levels of balances to be up to 8% of budget for nursery, primary and special schools, and 5% of budget for high schools.
• The excess amount above those thresholds represented £4.53 million.
• The forum agreed to claw back excess surplus balances from schools with increasing excessive balances over a three-year period, resulting in up to £0.02 million clawback.
• The resulting fund will support high needs pressures and potential school organisation changes.
• The forum also agreed to retain early years block Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)¹ reserves to manage the high needs block deficit.

Kim Price, head of Education Planning, Resources and Sustainability, stated that the Schools Operational Guide for 2026 to 2027 is expected to be published in the autumn term.

Climate Resilience and Preventative Work Discussed

The Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel met on Tuesday to discuss sustainability and resilience, and preventative work.

• The panel was scheduled to discuss a report on climate adaptation and resilience, noting that the impacts of climate change are already being felt, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
• The report stated that Ealing was assessed to be the 9th most 'socially vulnerable to high heat' borough in the country.
• The panel was also scheduled to discuss a report on preventative work being done by the Climate Action & Sustainability, Learn Ealing and Work Ealing teams, who are collaborating to support the borough's most vulnerable communities.
• The report stated that the council's Regeneration, Economy & Skills department is responsible for the Council Plan strategic objective on 'creating good jobs', including the creation of 10,000 new job opportunities.

Other Matters

• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday and agreed to the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25 and the Scrutiny Work Programmes for 2025-26.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Scrutiny Panel 3 - 2023/2024: Children's Services is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025 to discuss panel operations, the progress being made following an OFSTED inspection of children's services, and the Children's Social Care Self-Evaluation 2024/25. Link to meeting
• The Ealing Safer Neighbourhood Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The General Purposes Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 09 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 10 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 10 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Pension Fund Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The North West London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Ealing:

Vaping: A Generation at Risk?

The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday to discuss a concerning trend: the rise of vaping among young people. Link to meeting

• A new report presented to the board, titled A generation at risk: Vaping and young people, revealed that approximately one in five children in the UK have tried vaping.
• This equates to an estimated 5,947 young people in Ealing.
• The report cited findings from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) smokefree Great Britain youth survey 2024, showing an increase in vaping among 11-17 year olds since 2013.
• Notably, the report indicated that most children who vape have never smoked a cigarette, a change from previous years.
• The report also highlighted that children say they vape due to social influences and their mental health. > Ealing children say mental health issues are the main reasons they vape.
• The board discussed strategies to combat this trend, including the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which proposes to restrict the advertising and promotion of vapes, and local support initiatives for young people.

Homelessness: NHS Treatment Unequal?

The Health and Wellbeing Board also discussed a report by Healthwatch Ealing highlighting the experiences of homeless people in the NHS. Link to meeting

• The report, based on interviews with 27 people without a fixed address, including asylum seekers, revealed that 80% felt they were treated differently by NHS staff due to their lack of a permanent address.
• 60% reported a decline in their mental and physical health over the past year.
• Many relied on third-sector organisations for accessing NHS care, and 83% felt lonely or isolated.
• Nearly one-third (30%) did not know how to register with a GP.
• The report recommended clear training for NHS staff on GP registration, stronger collaboration between the NHS and third-sector organisations, and support for social connection and wellbeing in temporary accommodation.

Planning for the Future: London's Housing Needs

The Local Development Plan Advisory Committee met to discuss the consultation on the next London Plan and government proposals to speed up building. Link to meeting

• The committee considered the implications of the government's indication that London should be planning for 87,992 new homes per year, significantly more than the current plan's target of 52,000.
• The Towards a New London Plan document suggests prioritising development within London's existing urban areas and increasing density, potentially linked to public transport improvements.
• The document also raises the possibility of urban extensions in the green belt¹, focusing on affordable, well-planned neighbourhoods.
• The committee also discussed a government working paper on planning reform, Speeding up Build Out, which proposes a Delayed Homes Penalty for developers who fall behind schedule.

Other Matters

• The Licensing Committee met to discuss licensing sub-committee decisions made between April and June 2025, and temporary event notices (TENs)². Link to meeting
  • One premises licence was revoked following a review, and another had conditions imposed following a review.
  • The premises that had their licence revoked was Little Ealing Convenience, 2a The Quadrant, Little Ealing Lane, Ealing W5 4EE.
  • The premises that had conditions imposed on their licence was Costcutter T/a Best Foods, 512-516 Lady Margaret Road Southall, UB1 2NP.
  • The new premises licences that were refused were for Bocian Supermarket 130 - 132 Uxbridge Road Hanwell W7 3SL and A Star Retail 10 King Street Southall, UB2 4DA.
  • The new premises licence that was granted with additional conditions was for Casa, 165 Dukes Road, Acton, W3 0SL.
• Scrutiny Panel 1 - 2023/24: Housing and Environment met on Thursday 26 June 2025. No video was provided. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Scrutiny Panel 2 - 2023/2024: Economy and Sustainability is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 01 July 2025 to discuss panel operations, sustainability, and climate resilience. Link to meeting
• The Ealing Schools Forum is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 03 July 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Ealing:

Festival Licence Sparks Noise Concerns

A meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee scheduled for Wednesday, June 18th, aimed to consider a new premises licence application for the PALOP Festival, proposed to be held at Elthorne Park on July 26th, 2025. The application sought permission for live and recorded music, dance performances, and alcohol sales. However, the meeting was cancelled. Link to meeting

• A local resident, Sheila Perkins, voiced concerns about potential noise nuisance, crime, and disorder due to the event's location in a densely populated residential area.
• The application included a noise management plan, proposing a maximum music noise level of 65dB(A) over a 15-minute period.
• The sub-committee was to consider the application against the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which prioritizes the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Schools to Reflect Diverse Faiths

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) convened on Tuesday, June 17th, and approved a determination application from Hambrough Primary School, allowing the school to modify its collective worship practices to be more inclusive of diverse faiths. Link to meeting

• Hambrough Primary School, located in Southall, has a diverse student body, with 23% identifying as Muslim, 30% as Sikh, 19% as Hindu, and 26% as Christian.
• The determination allows the school to move away from collective worship that is wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character, as traditionally required.
• A SACRE member visited the school and noted the school's well-planned program of assemblies and daily reflection. Pupil voice was gathered from school council members, who spoke about the importance of learning about other faiths and the calming and peaceful nature of reflection times.

Updating the Religious Education Syllabus

The SACRE also discussed progress on the Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC), including next steps for reviewing the religious education syllabus. Link to meeting

• The ASC has secured funding and conducted a survey of schools to gather views on the current syllabus.
• Two teachers were selected for the Farmington Scholarship Programme to research areas that will inform syllabus development.
• The SACRE is considering collaborating with Haringey SACRE to share resources and avoid duplication of effort, as both boroughs' syllabuses share a similar framework based on the six areas of enquiry used by Awareness Mystery Value (AMV).

Other Matters

• The Planning Committee met on Wednesday, June 18th. No video was provided. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Thursday, June 19th. No video was provided. Link to meeting
• The Corporate Parent Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 19th, was cancelled. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• The Local Development Plan Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 24 June 2025 to discuss the new terms of reference for the committee, the consultation on the next London Plan, and the government's proposals for speeding up the building of new homes. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 25 June 2025 to discuss licensing sub-committee decisions made between April and June 2025, and temporary event notices (TENs). Link to meeting
• The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday, 26 June 2025, to discuss a range of health-related topics in the borough. Link to meeting
• Scrutiny Panel 1 - 2023/24:Housing and Environment is scheduled to meet on Thursday 26 June 2025. Link to meeting
• Scrutiny Panel 2 - 2023/2024: Economy and Sustainability is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 01 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Ealing Schools Forum is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Link to meeting
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 03 July 2025. Link to meeting