This week in Hammersmith and Fulham:

Council Gears Up for Polling Place Review: Ensuring Every Vote Counts

The General Purpose Committee met on Monday 12 January 2026 to discuss proposals for reviewing polling places and districts across the borough. This crucial exercise ensures that every resident has accessible and convenient access to vote in local and national elections.

The Stakes: Your Right to Vote

The review of polling places is vital for democratic participation. It ensures that polling stations are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, and are located within reasonable travelling distances for all voters. The Representation of the People Act 1983 mandates these reviews, and the council's commitment to this process directly impacts how easily residents can exercise their fundamental right to vote.

What's Being Reviewed?

The committee considered a report detailing proposed changes to the borough's polling scheme. This included:

• Designating new polling places: Identifying suitable locations for polling stations.
• Adjusting polling district boundaries: Ensuring districts are efficiently managed and accessible.
• Approving updated polling schemes: Finalising arrangements for all upcoming elections.

The review process involved public consultation, with feedback sought from local representatives, political parties, and disability action groups. A total of 27 responses were considered.

Ensuring Accessibility

The report highlighted that all pre-existing polling places were assessed for accessibility. An Equality Impact Assessment was conducted to understand the review's impact on individuals with protected characteristics.

Financial Considerations

The review is expected to incur an estimated increase in costs of approximately £1100 for polling station hire.

What Happens Next?

The Electoral Registration Officer is set to amend polling districts and revise the electoral register on 1 February 2026.

Link to meeting

Jo Jo Convenience Store Faces Licence Revocation Over Illegal Goods

The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 20 January 2026 to consider a review of the premises licence for Jo Jo Convenience Store at 58 Fulham High Street, following concerns raised by the council's Trading Standards Team. The application for review cited issues related to the prevention of crime and disorder.

The Stakes: Tackling Illegal Trade and Protecting Public Safety

This review is critical for addressing the persistent sale of illegal goods, which undermines legitimate businesses, poses health risks, and can be linked to organised crime. The council's commitment to upholding the four licensing objectives – the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm – is at the forefront of this decision.

A Pattern of Breaches

The report detailed a concerning history of enforcement actions at the store, including:

• Seizures of illegal e-cigarettes and Polish-market cigarettes.
• Sales of non-UK duty-paid vodka.
• Repeated test purchases of illegal cigarettes, including duty-free products.

Despite previous warnings and enforcement actions involving both the premises licence holder, Mr Kalyan Singh, and a co-manager, Mr Gajinder Singh Sachdeva, the illegal activities have continued. Mr Singh admitted to selling illegal cigarettes, stating that Mr Sachdeva was his superior.

Potential Outcomes

The Licensing Sub-Committee has a range of options, from taking no action to revoking the licence entirely. The report recommends revocation, citing the business's reckless behaviour and the potential dangers associated with illegal goods, such as safety risks and links to organised crime.

Link to meeting

Schools Forum to Finalise Budgets Amidst Funding Changes

The Schools Forum is set to meet on Tuesday 20 January 2026 to discuss and finalise the proposed budgets for the upcoming academic year, including the allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for mainstream schools and early years provision.

The Stakes: Ensuring Resources for Our Children's Education

The decisions made by the Schools Forum directly impact the funding available for our local schools, affecting everything from class sizes and teacher resources to support for students with special educational needs. The forum's role is to ensure that funding is distributed fairly and effectively to meet the diverse needs of all pupils in Hammersmith and Fulham.

Key Budget Discussions:

• Schools Block Budget 2026/27: The forum will review the proposed allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant, which totals £127.775m. While per pupil funding for mainstream schools is set to rise by 1.58%, this is lower than the national increase. A 1% transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block is proposed to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Early Years Budget 2026/27: The initial allocation for Early Years provision is £25.845m. This includes funding for the extended free childcare offer for working parents, providing up to 30 hours per week for children from nine months old.

Funding Formula Changes

The meeting will also address proposed changes to funding formulas, including de-delegation for maintained schools and contributions towards trade union facilities and free school meals eligibility checking.

Link to meeting

Other Matters

• The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to meet on Wednesday 14 January 2026 to review a premises licence, but this meeting was cancelled. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Planning and Development Control Committee - Tuesday 20 January 2026 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: Planning applications for new residential developments, including proposals for the land between Sandilands Road and Pearscroft Road, Barclay Close, and works to Gasholder No.2 at Fulham Gas Works.
• Cabinet - Monday 19 January 2026 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27, Council Tax base and collection rate, future resident-facing energy proposals, and procurement strategy for Edward Woods Towers external works.
• Health & Wellbeing Board - Wednesday 21 January 2026 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: Better Care Fund Quarter 2 Report 2025/26, Family Hubs Annual Report 2024/25, H&F Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2026-29, and Healthwatch Hammersmith and Fulham Annual Report 2024/25.
• Full Council - Wednesday 28 January 2026 - Link to meeting
• Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Accountability Committee - Tuesday 27 January 2026 - Link to meeting
• Children and Education Policy and Accountability Committee - Tuesday 27 January 2026 - Link to meeting

This week in Hammersmith and Fulham:

Co-Op Faces Licence Review Over Crime and Disorder Concerns

The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to review the premises licence for the Co-Op store on Uxbridge Road, following an application by Hammersmith and Fulham Licensing Authority. The review was prompted by concerns over the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

The Stakes: Protecting Residents from Anti-Social Behaviour

The review application cites numerous breaches of licence conditions, including selling alcohol outside permitted hours, selling high-strength alcohol, and failing to have a personal licence holder on the premises. Representations from the Metropolitan Police and local residents highlight concerns about anti-social behaviour, street drinking, littering, and intimidation in the area. One resident stated that the store is located in a well-known hotspot for anti-social behaviour and contributes to intimidation of passers-by, noise, littering, and frequent disorder .

Council Policy

The sub-committee is required to consider the council's Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP), which outlines the council's commitment to promoting the four licensing objectives¹. Policy 10 of the SLP states that a review may be initiated if it is alleged that the licensing objectives are not being promoted.

The Decision

The sub-committee has several options, including taking no further action, modifying the licence conditions, suspending the licence, or revoking it. The outcome of the meeting is not known, as no video was provided. Link to meeting

Schools Forum Discusses Budget Allocation Amidst Funding Changes

The Schools Forum met to discuss the provisional Schools Block allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2026/27 financial year. The forum was also asked to agree on the principles to be used for modelling the Schools Block budget.

The Stakes: Ensuring Fair Funding for Schools

The provisional allocation from the Department for Education (DfE) is £128.476m. This figure is based on October 2024 census numbers and does not include additional funding for growth and falling rolls. The council anticipates receiving the final allocation by 19 December 2025.

Funding Formula Changes

From 2026/27, additional funding previously allocated through separate grants will be incorporated into the Schools Block. The DfE is making a baseline adjustment of £3.140m to ensure schools are not disadvantaged.

High Needs Block Support

The modelling for the 2026/27 school budget assumes continuing support to the High Needs Block through a 1% transfer from the Schools Block, which is expected to be around £1.28m. The report pack notes that a disapplication of above 0.5% level requires Schools Forum approval and a disapplication to the Minister of State, which was approved by Schools Forum in November 2025, but the outcome of the request is not expected until January 2026. The continued disapplication is required for the short to medium term sustainability of the High Needs Block. Link to meeting

This week in Hammersmith and Fulham:

Retail 24 to Lose Licence After Crime and Nuisance Concerns

The Licensing Sub-Committee has revoked the premises licence for Retail 24 at 70 Uxbridge Road, citing concerns about crime, disorder, and public nuisance. The decision follows an application for review by Hammersmith and Fulham's Trading Standards Team.

The Stakes: Protecting the Community

The decision to revoke the licence underscores the council's commitment to upholding the four licensing objectives¹ and ensuring a safe and pleasant environment for residents. The sub-committee determined that the issues at Retail 24 were detrimental to the community and warranted the strongest possible action.

Evidence of Breaches

The sub-committee considered evidence of multiple breaches of the licence conditions, including:

• Staff without personal licences selling alcohol
• Customers smoking cannabis inside the shop
• The sale of single bottles of beer when a minimum purchase of two was required

The Decision

The Licensing Sub-Committee, consisting of Councillor Callum Nimmo, Vice Chair, Councillor Dominic Stanton, Opposition Whip, and Councillor Bora Kwon, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, decided to revoke the licence. Link to meeting

Cabinet Reviews Budget and Spending Plans

The Cabinet met to discuss the council's financial performance and future spending plans, focusing on the Revenue Budget Review, the Capital Programme, and Treasury Management.

Revenue Budget Under Scrutiny

The cabinet reviewed the Revenue Budget for 2025/26, noting a £2.160m forecast overspend of the General Fund². Councillor Adronie Alford, Conservative Spokesperson for Housing, raised concerns about garden waste collection pricing, parking income, and temporary accommodation costs.

Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, acknowledged the challenge of temporary accommodation costs, stating that the government has been receptive to the council's concerns. Councillor Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, added that the council's new housing company will provide additional accommodation for those in temporary accommodation.

Investing in the Borough's Future

The cabinet reviewed the Capital Programme Monitor and Budget Variations 2025/26, approving an additional investment of £34.5m across the revised four-year programme. Key areas of spending include housing and regeneration projects, refurbishment of Hammersmith Town Hall, fire safety programmes, and acquisition of affordable housing units.

Prudent Financial Management

The cabinet reviewed the Treasury Management Strategy, noting the council's prudent management of finances, particularly around longer-term borrowing. Link to meeting

Other Matters

• The North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met, but no video was provided. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday 16 December 2025 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: A review of the premises licence for Co-Op, located at 54 Uxbridge Road, London, W12 8LP.
• Schools Forum - Tuesday 16 December 2025 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: The provisional Schools Block allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant for the 2026/27 financial year.

This week in Hammersmith and Fulham:

Powerleague Alcohol Sales Face Resident Backlash

The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider a request from Powerleague in Hammersmith Park to remove a condition on their premises licence that restricts alcohol sales during Queens Park Rangers (QPR) home games. Residents and the Friends of Hammersmith Park Association voiced strong objections, raising concerns about potential disorder and nuisance.

The Stakes: Balancing Business and Community

Powerleague sought to remove condition 17 from their licence, which currently prohibits alcohol sales three hours before, during, and three hours after QPR matches. The company argued that this restriction hindered their business, particularly for pre-arranged events. However, residents feared that lifting the ban would lead to increased alcohol-related issues in the area, impacting their quality of life and the park's amenity.

Resident Concerns

Objectors argued that removing the condition would exacerbate existing problems associated with football match days, including:

• Increased noise and disturbance
• Antisocial behaviour
• Public urination
• Litter

The Friends of Hammersmith Park Association also expressed concerns about the impact on park users, particularly families and children.

Council Policy

The council's Statement of Licensing Policy acknowledges the unique challenge of having three major football clubs within the borough and emphasizes the need for premises near football grounds to robustly deal with this issue in their operating schedule.

The Decision

The Licensing Sub-Committee was tasked with balancing the needs of the business with the concerns of the community. They could have granted the application in full, granted it in part with modifications, or rejected it. The outcome of the meeting is not known, as no video was provided. Link to meeting

Fraud Prevention Efforts Recovered £779,530

The Audit Committee reviewed the Corporate Anti-Fraud Service's (CAFS) Half-Year Progress Report, highlighting the team's success in preventing fraud and recovering losses. The report detailed how the CAFS processed 102 new referrals and concluded 132 investigations between April and September 2025.

Key Findings:

• Fraud prevention efforts saved an estimated £779,530.
• A notional loss of £607,423 was identified.
• £409,000 was identified for recovery via court-issued confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Tenancy Fraud Crackdown

The report highlighted several successful tenancy fraud cases, including instances of non-residency, subletting, and fraudulent succession claims. These cases demonstrate the council's commitment to ensuring that social housing is allocated fairly to those in genuine need.

Proactive verification of residency

Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, Opposition Deputy Leader, raised concerns about the amount of tenancy fraud in the borough and asked about undetected cases and potential resource changes. Andy Hyatt, Head of Fraud, said that the Chief Executive, Sharon Lea, supported resorting and working with Richard Sway from the housing department to implement best practices, including proactive verification of residency.

Internal Fraud Awareness

Councillor Lisa Homan, Chair of the Policy and Oversight Board, praised the report and its costings. She asked about trend data and benchmarking for referrals and frauds, and also about insider fraud risk assessments and controls. Andy Hyatt responded that fraud awareness e-learning would be refreshed with a focus on red flags for internal fraud. Link to meeting

Health and Safety Improvements in Housing and Libraries

The Audit Committee also received the Corporate Health and Safety Annual Update for 2024-25, highlighting improvements in housing safety and efforts to address violence and aggression in libraries.

Housing Upgrades

The report highlighted the strong performance of the housing team in upgrading front doors, installing sprinklers, and achieving a high decent homes standard. Ian Church, Assistant Director, Corporate Property and Health & Safety, reported that there were no enforcement actions from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) during the year, and there was a slight improvement in the number of RIDDORs¹ reported.

Library Safety

While reported incidents of violence and aggression in libraries increased, this was attributed to better reporting and engagement with library staff. The council is taking steps to improve security in libraries, including physical security measures and reviewing building layouts.

Addressing Concerns

Councillor Lisa Homan sought information on violence and aggression in smaller libraries, such as Askew Library and Avonmore Library. Ian Church committed to visiting those libraries and meeting with the teams to understand the issues. Link to meeting

Other Matters

• The Audit Committee discussed the council's treasury management performance, noting an increase in borrowing and the need to manage future revenue pressures. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Cabinet - Monday 08 December 2025 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: The council's revenue budget, capital programme, and treasury management strategy.
• North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 09 December 2025 - Link to meeting
• Licensing Sub-Committee - Wednesday 10 December 2025 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: A new premises licence application for The White Horse pub, and a review of the premises licence for Retail 24.
• Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday 16 December 2025 - Link to meeting
• Schools Forum - Tuesday 16 December 2025 - Link to meeting
  • Main topics: The provisional Schools Block allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant for the 2026/27 financial year.