This week in Hillingdon:

New Pub Licence Sparks Resident Concerns Over Noise and Nuisance

A new application for a Premises Licence for The Smoking Jacket, a proposed establishment at The Old Forge, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, has ignited concerns among local residents and the Northwood Residents' Association. The application, submitted by A & P Mehta Limited, seeks permission to sell alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises, with proposed operating hours extending late into the evening, including special allowances for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Residents have voiced objections, citing fears of public nuisance and potential increases in crime and disorder. Concerns centre on potential noise from patrons, cigar smoke, and parking issues, questioning the suitability of the location for such a venue.

In response to these objections, the applicant has proposed amendments, including ceasing alcohol sales 30 minutes before closing and agreeing to a set of conditions. These conditions aim to mitigate potential issues by implementing a dispersal policy, managing external area usage, and ensuring quiet departure from the premises.

The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Thursday, 28 May 2026, to consider this application. The outcome of this decision will directly impact the local environment and the quality of life for residents in Northwood.

Link to the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting

This week in Hillingdon:

Council Gears Up for Annual Mayor Election and Committee Reviews

The Council convened on Thursday, 14 May 2026, for its annual meeting, a cornerstone event that sets the tone for the municipal year. The primary focus was the election of the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, alongside a comprehensive review of the work undertaken by the Council's Select Committees over the past year. These proceedings, while procedural, are fundamental to the democratic functioning of the council and the representation of residents' interests.

New Mayor and Deputy Mayor to Lead the Council

The election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor is a significant moment, marking the formal commencement of the new civic year. The outgoing Mayor was set to deliver a summary of their term, followed by nominations and the declaration of the elected officials. The new Mayor, upon acceptance of their office, would then make announcements, and a vote of thanks would be extended to the outgoing Mayor. This tradition underscores the continuity and accountability within local governance.

Select Committees Present Annual Reports

A substantial part of the meeting was dedicated to the annual reports from the Council's Select Committees: Corporate Resources & Infrastructure, Children, Families & Education, Residents' Services, and Health & Social Care. These reports offer a vital overview of the scrutiny and oversight activities undertaken by each committee, providing residents with insight into how their council is performing across a wide range of services.

• Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee: This committee's report was expected to detail its oversight of financial management, procurement, digital services, and property assets. A particular focus was anticipated on the review of Maximising Council Spaces: A Review of Business and Private Hire Opportunities, aiming to address underutilised council-owned spaces.
• Children, Families & Education Select Committee: The committee's report was to highlight its scrutiny of services for children and families, with a focus on Corporate Parenting, fostering services, and budget pressures related to children's placements and SEND[^1].
• Residents' Services Select Committee: This committee's report was to cover its oversight of housing, planning, waste management, and community safety. The finalisation of its review into Homelessness Prevention and the Customer Journey was a key anticipated item.
• Health and Social Care Select Committee: The committee's report was to detail its scrutiny of adult social care, public health, and its statutory health scrutiny role with NHS organisations. A major review into early intervention and prevention in Adult Social Care was expected to be a significant theme.

These reports are crucial for holding the council accountable and ensuring that services are delivered effectively and efficiently, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Link to the Council meeting

Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee Elects New Leadership

The Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee met on Thursday, 14 May 2026, in a brief session primarily focused on electing its Chair and Vice-Chair for the upcoming 2026/27 municipal year. Councillor Ekta Gohil was elected as Chair, and Councillor Jane Palmer as Vice-Chair. This leadership transition is a standard part of the council's annual cycle, ensuring the committee has the necessary guidance to undertake its scrutiny and oversight responsibilities.

Link to the Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee meeting

This week in Hillingdon:

Council Boosts Fostering Support and Approves £8.2 Million Highways Programme

Hillingdon Council's Cabinet met on Thursday, 23 April 2026, making key decisions that will enhance support for foster carers and children, and improve the borough's infrastructure. The meeting saw the approval of recommendations to bolster fostering services, a significant investment in road and pavement maintenance, and the amalgamation of two local schools.

Enhanced Support for Foster Carers and Children

The Cabinet fully endorsed recommendations from the Children, Families & Education Select Committee aimed at improving the council's fostering provision. These changes, developed with input from officers, foster carers, and young people, focus on better supporting children in care, recruiting and retaining more carers, and ensuring stable placements.

Key improvements include:

• Better Information for Young People: A new 'Introduction Pack for Children' and a 'Voice of the Child' section in 'All About Me' profiles will ensure young people are better informed and heard.
• Specialist Foster Carer Training: Training pathways will be developed to equip carers to support young people with complex needs.
• Strengthened Peer Support: Existing networks for foster carers will be enhanced to provide mutual support.

These initiatives are vital for the well-being of vulnerable children in the borough, aiming to provide them with the stability and care they need to thrive.

£8.2 Million Investment in Roads and Footways

The Highways Improvement Programme for 2026/27 received Cabinet approval, allocating £8.2 million to essential road and pavement maintenance. This funding will cover resurfacing, drainage improvements, and road marking upgrades across the borough. The programme will be financed through the Council's capital programme, supplemented by £3.2 million in grant funding from the Department for Transport.

This investment is crucial for ensuring the safety and accessibility of our streets for all residents, particularly the elderly and those with mobility issues. Transparency will be maintained, with all planned schemes to be published on the Council's website.

Whitehall Infant and Junior Schools to Amalgamate

In response to declining birth rates and pupil numbers, the Cabinet approved the amalgamation of Whitehall Infant School and Whitehall Junior School. From 1 September 2026, the two schools will merge into a single primary school catering for children aged 3 to 11. This decision, aligned with the Council's Infant and Junior School Amalgamation Policy, aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of both schools by creating economies of scale and a more consistent educational experience. The Children, Families and Education Select Committee supported this proposal, recognising its potential to improve educational outcomes.

Temporary Accommodation Strategy Shows Progress

The Cabinet received an update on the Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan, noting continued progress in managing homelessness. There has been a reduction in new temporary accommodation placements and an increase in residents moving into the private rented sector. Cost control measures have also been effective. Despite these positive trends, high demand persists, influenced by factors such as private sector evictions and family breakdowns.

Commercial Contracts Awarded

Several significant commercial contracts were also approved:

• Commercial Gas Contract: A three-year contract, with an option to extend, was awarded to BSW Heating Ltd for the servicing, repairs, and maintenance of commercial gas-fired heating installations, valued at approximately £490,000 per annum.
• Highways Term Service Contract: A seven-year contract was awarded to O'Hara Bros. Surfacing Ltd for highways maintenance, with an estimated value of up to £99.4 million.
• Furniture for Short-Term Lets: 4 Front Furniture LTD secured a contract for the supply and installation of furniture and white goods for short-term let properties, valued at an estimated £685,000 per year.

Residential Care Home Development Approved

Cabinet agreed to proceed with developing the Civic Centre Car Park site in Uxbridge into a 162-bed residential care home. This decision, considered urgent due to its importance for social care savings, includes appointing Hunter and Partners Ltd for architectural services and allocating £488,211 for surveys, planning fees, and contingency. The Hillingdon Care Company is expected to enter into a leaseback arrangement upon completion.

Link to the CABINET meeting

Residents' Services Committee Reviews Budget Pressures and HMO Controls

The Residents' Services Select Committee met on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, to discuss the council's budget, homelessness prevention, and the regulatory framework for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The committee noted significant budget pressures, particularly within the Homes and Communities directorate, and reviewed measures to control the impact of HMOs on local neighbourhoods.

Budget Overspend and Homelessness Pressures

The committee reviewed the council's budget monitoring position as of January 2026, which indicated a projected net overspend of £36.3 million. Within the Residents' Services remit, a £7.4 million overspend was forecast, largely driven by increased demand for homelessness support. The Homes and Communities directorate alone projected a £7.2 million overspend. These figures highlight the considerable financial strain on services designed to support vulnerable residents.

Controlling Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

A key discussion point was the council's legal and policy framework for HMOs. An Article 4 Direction, implemented in December 2025, now requires planning permission for all new conversions to small HMOs across the borough. Furthermore, additional licensing controls will be introduced from 20 May 2026, requiring HMOs occupied by three or more persons from two or more households to be licensed.

These measures are a direct response to concerns about the density of HMOs, which can contribute to housing hazards, anti-social behaviour, and strain on local infrastructure. The report indicated that 30% of HMOs in Hillingdon are predicted to have serious housing hazards, three times the national average.

Sport and Physical Activity for Young People

The committee also received an update on programmes promoting sport and physical activity for young people. Data showed that Hillingdon has slightly lower physical activity levels than the London average. Various initiatives, including Disability Sport and Junior parkrun, are in place to encourage movement and healthy lifestyles.

Link to the Residents' Services Select Committee meeting

Planning Committee Considers Major Redevelopment Projects

The Hillingdon Planning Committee met on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, to consider several significant planning applications, including a major watersports facility at Broadwater Lake and a large-scale residential and commercial development at the Rainbow and Kirby Industrial Estate.

Hillingdon Watersports Facility at Broadwater Lake

Plans for the redevelopment of Broadwater Lake to create a new Hillingdon Watersports Facility and Activity Centre were presented. The proposal includes demolishing the existing sailing club clubhouse and constructing a new building with extensive facilities, pontoons, a camping area, and ecological enhancements. The recommendation was for approval, subject to a Section 106 agreement¹.

Rainbow and Kirby Industrial Estate Redevelopment

A phased redevelopment of the Rainbow and Kirby Industrial Estate in Yiewsley was also considered. This ambitious project involves constructing nine buildings ranging from three to 11 storeys, providing residential units, retail spaces, and light industrial floorspace. The recommendation was for approval, subject to a Section 106 agreement.

Several other applications for new dwellings, loft conversions, and extensions were also reviewed, with recommendations for approval in most cases.

Link to the Hillingdon Planning Committee meeting

This week in Hillingdon:

Children's Services Face Budget Pressures Amidst Rising Demand

The Children, Families and Education Select Committee met on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, to review the council's budget and spending, school admissions, educational standards, and the strategy for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP). A significant concern raised was a £6.1 million pressure within Children's Services, primarily driven by increased demand in social care, mother and baby placements, and asylum costs.

Budgetary Challenges in Children's Services

The committee noted the 2025/26 Month 10 budget monitoring position, which revealed a substantial financial pressure within Children's Services. This pressure is largely attributed to an increase in the need for placements for mothers and babies and rising asylum costs. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)[^2] is also forecasting an in-year deficit of £9.2 million. While a government grant is expected to cover 90% of the High Needs-related DSG deficit, this is contingent on the approval of a local SEND reform plan. Despite these pressures, savings targets for the year have been met.

The real-world impact of these budgetary pressures could mean longer waits for essential support for vulnerable children and families. The council's ability to manage these increasing demands will be crucial for ensuring the well-being of the borough's youngest residents.

School Admissions and Standards: A Mixed Picture

The committee received an update on school admissions, noting a decrease in in-year applications, partly due to a reduction in families being placed in hotel accommodation. For secondary school allocations for September 2026, 67.13% of Hillingdon applicants received their first preference.

The Annual Standards of Education Report for 2024-25 highlighted that 93% of Hillingdon's schools are rated as good or better. However, Key Stage 2 combined reading, writing, and maths outcomes remain below national and regional benchmarks, with writing identified as a priority for improvement.

SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy: Progress and Challenges

An update on the SEND and Alternative Provision (AP)[^6] Strategy 2023-2028 revealed progress in areas such as mainstream inclusion and the development of the Local Offer (HELLO)[^7]. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning neurodevelopmental waiting times and data integration. The strategy aims to ensure children and young people with SEND and those accessing AP are supported to lead happy and fulfilled lives in inclusive communities, aligning with the principles of the Equality Act 2010[^5].

The committee also noted the Cabinet's Forward Plan, with the Fostering Review final report scheduled to go to Cabinet on 23 April 2026.

Link to the Children, Families and Education Select Committee meeting

Petition Hearing Addresses Parking and Traffic Concerns in Ruislip and Eastcote

A Petition Hearing was held on Tuesday, 15 April 2026, where Councillor Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth, heard from residents regarding parking and traffic issues in Ruislip and Eastcote. The hearing addressed petitions concerning residents' parking schemes, traffic calming measures, and one-way systems.

Residents' Parking Scheme for Hale End Close, Hume Way, and Eastcote Road

A petition signed by 21 residents requested the introduction of a residents' permit parking scheme for Hale End Close, Hume Way, and Eastcote Road in Ruislip. Petitioners highlighted the persistent occupation of parking spaces by non-residents, causing significant stress and difficulty for residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. A key request was for the scheme to be introduced at minimal or no cost to residents. The report noted that Eastcote Road is a busy distributor road, and no residents from this road had signed the petition, making on-street parking recommendations unlikely. The cost of permits, set by full Council, ranges from £92.40 for the first permit to £259.00 for subsequent permits. Councillor Tuckwell was to meet with the petitioners to discuss the matter further.

Traffic Calming Measures for Clifton Gardens

A petition with 55 signatures called for traffic calming measures in Clifton Gardens to reduce vehicle speeds, especially concerning nearby schools. The report indicated that while there was one recorded collision in the last five years, official data may not capture all incidents. The potential for traffic calming measures to impact parking and increase noise was noted. The recommendation was for Councillor Tuckwell to meet with the petitioners and consider commissioning traffic surveys. The Council's Road Safety and School Travel Team (STaRS)[^5] will continue to engage with local schools on their travel plans.

Newnham Avenue One-Way System Petition

A petition regarding the introduction of a time-limited one-way system on Newnham Avenue, Eastcote, was also scheduled for consideration. However, no detailed report pack was available for this item at the time of the meeting.

The outcomes of these hearings will directly impact the daily lives of residents by influencing traffic flow, parking availability, and overall neighbourhood safety.

Link to the Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth meeting