This week in Hillingdon:

Council Faces £36 Million Overspend, Considers Photography Fees for Green Spaces

Hillingdon Council is grappling with a significant £36 million overspend in its general fund, driven by pressures in service operations, homelessness, and social care. The cabinet discussed the budget crisis at its meeting this week, and considered measures to address the shortfall, including introducing fees for non-commercial photography in council-owned green spaces.

• Service Impacts: The overspend raises concerns about potential cuts to essential services and the council's ability to support vulnerable residents.
• DSG Deficit: The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is also facing a deficit, with a forecast increase of £78.4 million for 2025/26, despite a statutory override¹ being in place until March 2028.
• Capital Receipts: The council is relying on £17 million of capital receipts² to fund transformation costs, but the availability of these receipts is under review, potentially exacerbating the financial challenges.
• Photography Fees: As part of the proposed measures, the council is considering introducing non-commercial photography fees for engagement or wedding photoshoots in its green spaces.

The council's financial situation highlights the difficult choices it faces in balancing its budget while meeting the needs of its residents.

Link to the CABINET meeting

West London Waste Plan Aims for Sustainable Waste Management

The cabinet discussed the West London Waste Plan, a joint initiative by six boroughs to manage waste sustainably until 2041. The plan sets out a framework for dealing with waste, identifying sufficient capacity, and minimising landfill use.

• Joint Effort: The plan involves Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and Richmond upon Thames.
• Waste Hierarchy: The plan prioritises waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, aiming to reduce reliance on landfill.
• Long-Term Vision: The plan provides a framework for managing waste arisings over the period to 2041.

The West London Waste Plan is a crucial step towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to waste management in the region.

Link to the CABINET meeting

Audit Committee Examines Governance and Financial Controls

The Audit Committee met to review the council's governance, risk management, and financial controls. The committee discussed the Governance Review Improvement Plan (GRIP), the Finance Modernisation Programme (FMP), and the results of a recent staff survey.

• Governance Review: The GRIP aims to address governance weaknesses identified in previous reviews, focusing on financial, directorate, and constitutional governance.
• Finance Modernisation: The FMP is a transformation initiative designed to strengthen the council's financial systems and processes.
• Staff Survey: The committee reviewed the results of a staff survey designed to measure staff engagement and wellbeing.
• Risk Management: The committee discussed the council's risk management and strategic risk reports.

The Audit Committee's work is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and sound financial management within the council.

Link to the Audit Committee meeting

Hayes Estate Regeneration and Council Tax Banding Discussed

The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss the annual performance, budget and spending, the Hayes Estate regeneration, and council tax banding.

• Hayes Regeneration: The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the ongoing delivery of the Hayes Regeneration Project², which aims to redevelop the Hayes Town Centre Estate and the Avondale Drive Estate.
• Council Tax Banding: The committee was scheduled to discuss the current process for reassessing council tax banding for properties that undergo significant development.

Link to the Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee (Proposed) meeting

Other Matters

• The Shareholder Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 20 November 2025 was postponed. Link to the Shareholder Committee meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• The Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education on Tuesday 25 November 2025 will discuss religious education and the Agreed Syllabus Conference.
• The Council on Thursday 27 November 2025 will consider an update on the Polling District and Polling Places Review, the Annual Performance Report 2024/25, and a proposed Article 4 Direction regarding Houses in Multiple Occupation.
• The Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 02 December 2025 will convene.
• The Health and Social Care Select Committee on Wednesday 03 December 2025 will convene.
• The Hillingdon Planning Committee on Wednesday 03 December 2025 will convene.

This week in Hillingdon:

Care Strategy and Fostering Under Scrutiny Amid Budget Concerns

The Children, Families and Education Select Committee met to discuss the Care Strategy for Children and Care Experienced Young People, the fostering review, budget and spending, and the annual performance report. The discussions took place against a backdrop of financial pressures and increasing demand for children's services, raising concerns about the council's ability to provide adequate support for vulnerable children.

• Care Strategy: The committee discussed the strategic framework for improving outcomes for children in care and care experienced young people. The strategy aims to strengthen support, stability, and transition pathways, with a focus on embedding participation of young people, improving placement stability, and promoting health and wellbeing.
• Fostering Review: The committee held a witness session as part of its review into fostering, assessing the effectiveness of the new fostering offer and exploring opportunities for further improvement. The review aims to address the national shortage of foster carers, recruitment and retention challenges, and placement instability.
• Budget Pressures: The committee discussed the Budget and Spending Report for Month 5 of 2025/26, which revealed a £4.1m pressure in the Children, Families & Education directorate due to additional demand for care. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is forecasting a deficit of £12.5m due to continued demand and cost pressures in High Needs placements.
• Savings Requirement: The committee noted that the savings requirement for 2025/26 for the services within its remit is £4.282m, with 93.6% of the savings and interventions being recorded as banked or on track for delivery.

The committee's discussions highlight the challenges faced by the council in balancing the needs of vulnerable children with the constraints of a tight budget.

Link to the Children, Families and Education Select Committee meeting

Adult Social Care and Carer Support Services Reviewed

The Health and Social Care Select Committee convened to discuss adult social care early intervention and prevention services, the annual performance report, and the cabinet forward plan. A key focus was the review of early intervention and prevention services for adults, with a witness session featuring representatives from various carer support organisations.

• Carer Support Services: The committee heard from representatives from the Carers Trust Hillingdon and Ealing, the Alzheimer's Society, Give Space, Harlington Hospice, and Hillingdon Mind. The discussion likely covered the consortium delivery model, the impact of the service on carers, demand management, innovative approaches to improve access, and how to reach hidden carers.
• Unpaid Carers: The committee noted that the 2021 census identified 22,465 unpaid carers in Hillingdon, with varying levels of care provided.
• Annual Performance Report: The committee reviewed the Annual Performance Report 2024/25, which highlighted the challenges faced by Adult Social Care and Health (ASC&H) due to demographic shifts, complex care needs, and transitions from Children's Services. The report also noted that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated ASC&H as Good overall in July 2024.

The committee's review underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention services in supporting carers and vulnerable adults in Hillingdon.

Link to the Health and Social Care Select Committee meeting

Other Matters

• The Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth scheduled for Wednesday 12 November 2025 was cancelled. Link to the Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth

Upcoming Meetings

• The Audit Committee on Tuesday 18 November 2025 will discuss governance, finance, risk management, and audit reports.
• The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee (Proposed) on Wednesday 19 November 2025 will discuss budget monitoring, performance, and the Hayes estate regeneration.
• The CABINET on Thursday 20 November 2025 will convene.
• The Shareholder Committee on Thursday 20 November 2025 will convene.
• The Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education on Tuesday 25 November 2025 will convene.
• The Council on Thursday 27 November 2025 will convene.

This week in Hillingdon:

Green Space Approved Despite Resident Objections

The Hillingdon Planning Committee approved the construction of natural grass football pitches at Middlesex Stadium, Breakspear Road, Ruislip, despite previous failures to develop the site and concerns about noise and soil contamination. The decision highlights the council's commitment to sports facilities, but also raises questions about environmental protection and community engagement.

• Past Approval: The council had previously approved planning permission for football pitches in the same location in 2003, but the pitches were never built.
• Environmental Concerns: The Environment Agency initially objected to the application due to concerns about the quality of imported soils, but withdrew their objection after receiving additional information.
• Conditions Imposed: The committee approved the application subject to conditions, including verification that the soils are clean and free from contamination before they are transported to the site, and restricting pitch usage hours to prevent noise nuisance.

This decision could provide much-needed sports facilities for the community, but residents will be watching closely to ensure that the environmental conditions are strictly enforced.

Link to the Hillingdon Planning Committee meeting

New Homes Approved Amid Density Concerns

The Hillingdon Planning Committee approved the construction of a detached bungalow to the rear of 18 Moor Park Road, Northwood, despite objections from local residents and the Northwood Residents Association. The decision follows previous refusals for more intensive development on the site, but still raises concerns about the impact on the street scene and loss of green space.

• Resident Opposition: The council received a petition with 33 signatures objecting to the development, along with six separate representations and an objection from the Northwood Residents Association.
• Policy Alignment: Planning officers considered that the revised scheme addressed previous concerns by significantly reducing the scale of the development and aligned with policy DMH6 of the Hillingdon Local Plan Part 2, which concerns garden and back land development.
• Permitted Development Rights Removed: The committee approved the application subject to conditions, including the removal of permitted development rights for extensions to the property, to prevent any undue harm to the character of the streetscape in the future, in accordance with Policy DMHB 11.

This decision reflects the ongoing pressure to build new homes in Hillingdon, even in areas where residents are concerned about the impact on the local environment.

Link to the Hillingdon Planning Committee meeting

Retail Expansion Approved with Community Benefits

The Hillingdon Planning Committee approved the installation of an internal mezzanine floor at Unit 2 Ruislip Retail Park, Victoria Road, for retail purposes and use of floorspace for an ancillary cafe and back-of-house storage space. The approval comes with a Section 106 agreement that includes contributions to air quality mitigation and employment training schemes.

• Retail Impact: The council's retail consultant concluded that the sequential test demonstrated that there were no sequentially preferable, available, or suitable sites within the defined catchment that could accommodate the proposal, and that the retail impact was acceptable.
• Community Benefits: The committee approved the application subject to a section 106 agreement and conditions, including an air quality mitigation contribution of £40,396, a construction employment training scheme, and an end-user employment scheme.

This decision could boost the local economy and provide new jobs, but residents will be keen to see that the promised community benefits are delivered.

Link to the Hillingdon Planning Committee meeting

Community Safety Strategy and Footway Parking Under Review

The Residents' Services Select Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of important issues, including the draft Community Safety Strategy and a review of footway parking in priority areas. While no video was provided, the agenda items highlight the council's focus on community safety and accessibility.

• Community Safety Strategy: The committee was scheduled to review and comment on the draft Community Safety Strategy for the borough, which identifies priorities such as safer neighbourhoods, tackling violence against women and girls, addressing serious violence, and safeguarding communities.
• Footway Parking Review: The committee was scheduled to hold a witness session regarding its review of footway parking in priority areas, focusing on roads near schools, GP surgeries and shopping parades, and those with known accessibility concerns.
• Infrastructure Funding: The committee was scheduled to discuss the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2024-2025, which outlines how funding from developer contributions has been collected, allocated, and spent to support infrastructure delivery across the borough.
• Licensing Policy: The committee was scheduled to discuss and provide comments on the updated draft Statement of Licensing Policy, which is reviewed every five years.
• Budget and Performance: The committee was scheduled to receive updates on the budget and spending report and the annual performance report for 2024/25.

These discussions are crucial for ensuring that the council is addressing the needs of residents and delivering effective services.

Link to the Residents' Services Select Committee meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• The Health and Social Care Select Committee on Tuesday 11 November 2025 will discuss adult social care, the annual performance report, and the cabinet forward plan.
• The Children, Families and Education Select Committee on Thursday 13 November 2025 will discuss the budget, performance, and strategies relating to children and families in Hillingdon.
• The Audit Committee on Tuesday 18 November 2025 will convene.
• The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee (Proposed) on Wednesday 19 November 2025 will convene.
• The CABINET on Thursday 20 November 2025 will convene.
• The Shareholder Committee on Thursday 20 November 2025 will convene.

This week in Hillingdon:

Bingo Licence Application Sparks Concerns Over Gambling Saturation

The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to consider an application from Merkur Slots UK Limited for a new bingo premises licence at 62 Station Road, Hayes. The application has raised concerns from local residents about the potential for increased gambling activity in an area already saturated with betting shops and adult gaming centres.

• Gambling Act 2005: The Sub-Committee was reminded of its duty to promote the licensing objectives outlined in the Gambling Act 2005, including preventing crime and disorder, ensuring fair and open gambling, and protecting vulnerable persons from harm.
• Local Concerns: Christine O'Hara-Carnduff, a local resident, submitted a representation objecting to the licence, citing concerns about parking issues, the proliferation of gambling premises, and the type of clientele they attract.
• Officer Observations: Council officers noted that the proposed location was previously a Barclays Bank and that Merkur Slots UK Limited has an operating licence issued by the Gambling Commission. They also confirmed that the applicant intends to adhere to the permitted ratios of gaming machines as set out under the Gambling Act 2005.
• Nearby Gambling Premises: The report pack listed seven other licensed gambling premises within close proximity to the proposed Merkur Slots location, including Ladbrokes, William Hill, Admiral, Paddy Power and Jennings Bet.
• Local Area Risk Assessment: The local area risk assessment highlighted that Hayes Town ward has a high concentration of residents aged 20-30, an age group considered potentially vulnerable to gambling harm. It also noted a high crime rate in the area compared to other parts of England and Wales.
• Mitigation Measures: Merkur Slots' local area risk assessment detailed localised risks to the licensing objectives and the control measures they would put in place to mitigate those risks.

The decision on this application could set a precedent for future gambling licence applications in Hillingdon and will likely impact the character of Hayes Town centre.

Link to the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting

Other Matters

• The Licensing Sub-Committee of Hillingdon Council was scheduled to convene to consider an application for a new bingo premises licence. No video was provided. Link to the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• The Hillingdon Planning Committee on Wednesday 05 November 2025 will discuss planning applications, including the construction of football pitches, a mezzanine floor in a retail unit, and a detached bungalow.
• The Residents' Services Select Committee on Thursday 06 November 2025 will convene.
• The Health and Social Care Select Committee on Tuesday 11 November 2025 will convene.
• The Children, Families and Education Select Committee on Thursday 13 November 2025 will convene.