Subscribe to updates
You'll receive weekly summaries like the ones below about this council every week.
If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.
Weekly updates
Hillingdon to Close Garden Centre, Corporate Parenting Discussed
This week in Hillingdon:
Council to Close West Drayton Garden Centre
The council's Cabinet is expected to approve the closure of the retail side of the Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC) in West Drayton by July 31, 2025, citing ongoing financial losses. The retail operation required a £137,000 subsidy in 2024/25 and has seen a 42% drop in sales income.
- Impact: The council will consult on relocating support services for those in receipt of assessed social care services to a new garden facility at the Civic Centre campus in Uxbridge.
- Consultation: The council will also consult with volunteers who attend the RAGC.
- Criticism: The report pack includes a summary of two petitions received by the council in relation to the proposals, suggesting public concern over the closure.
Corporate Parenting: Council's Duty to Children in Care
The Children, Families and Education Select Committee discussed the council's corporate parenting responsibilities, which include providing the same care and protection for children in care as any parent would.
- Statutory Duty: The council has a statutory responsibility to children looked after until they are 18, and then as care experienced young people until they are 25.
- Numbers: As of March 2025, Hillingdon Council was corporate parent for 330 children under 18 and 602 young people aged 18-25.
- Principles: The committee highlighted the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the Children and Social Work Act 2017: acting in the best interests of children, encouraging them to express their views, helping them access services, promoting high aspirations, ensuring their safety and stability, and preparing them for adulthood.
The committee appointed Councillors Nick Denys, Heena Makwana and Jan Sweeting as permanent members of the Corporate Parenting Panel, with Councillors Becky Haggar OBE, Peter Smallwood OBE and Tony Gill as substitutes. Councillor Denys was confirmed as Chair and Councillor Makwana as Vice-Chair.
Maximising Council Spaces for Hire
The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee discussed ways to maximise the use of council-owned spaces for private and business hire.
- Objective: The review aims to identify opportunities to optimise and commercialise spaces such as halls, rooms in buildings and libraries, and rooms in the Civic Centre.
- Ideas: The committee discussed ideas such as business lettings for planned upgrades, serviced business suites, expanding the online register and booking service, and targeted communications to residents and businesses.
- Register: The committee noted that there is currently no central register of all known hireable spaces, who is responsible for them, how they are let, or how they are promoted, and aims to create a single point of useful information on these spaces.
Other Matters
- Homelessness Prevention: The Cabinet will review a report from the Residents' Services Select Committee on Homeless Prevention and the Customer Journey, focusing on enhancing the resident experience, process efficiency, staff support and training, and building on existing partnerships.
- Education Funding: The Cabinet will consider allocating £6.065m of underspent funds for education and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including £540,000 for adaptations at Bishop Ramsey School to create a specialist provision of up to 32 places.
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund: The Cabinet will discuss proposed allocations for Hillingdon's 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant, which aims to improve pride in place, support skills training, and boost local businesses.
- Religious Education: The Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (HSACRE) is scheduled to meet to discuss national and local updates on religious education (RE), an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC), and defining 'Meaningful RE'.
Upcoming Meetings
- CABINET on Thursday 26 June 2025 will discuss the closure of the Rural Activities Garden Centre, review a report on homelessness prevention, allocate capital funding for education and special educational needs, and consider the allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
- Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education on Wednesday 25 June 2025 will discuss national and local updates on religious education (RE), discussion of an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC), and an update on the HSACRE action plan.
Hillingdon Adopts New Flood Risk Strategy; Key Licensing Decisions
This week, Hillingdon Council held several important meetings, making key decisions that will impact the community.
Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)
On Wednesday 26 June 2024, the SACRE discussed the national closure of The Interfaith Network, local provision of speakers for schools' religious education, and the review of the Religious Education (RE) curriculum in Hillingdon schools.
The Interfaith Network
The committee expressed concerns about the closure of The Interfaith Network, which aimed to improve understanding between faith groups. The lack of a central body may increase the need for local speakers in Hillingdon. The committee discussed the RE Hubs website as an alternative resource for finding religious speakers. However, it was noted that very few committee members were registered on this platform.
It was highlighted that almost no Faith Representative Committee Members from HSACRE were yet advertised as a faith speaker on the RE Hubs website.
Minutes of Previous Meeting, Item 28: NATIONAL UPDATES
To address this, the committee agreed to create a calendar of religious festivals and celebrations, which will be published on the Council's website, featuring photographs of local people celebrating different festivals.
Review of the RE Curriculum in Hillingdon
The committee discussed improving the evaluation of the current RE curriculum delivery. Concerns were raised about the lack of detail in the annual report and low attendance at teacher training sessions.
The HSACRE Advisor noted that the annual written report for SACRE did not currently go far enough to showcase all the great work of Hillingdon SACRE in previous years.
Minutes of Previous Meeting, Item 28: NATIONAL UPDATES
An online survey of teachers will be conducted to gather more information on RE curriculum delivery. The committee also discussed adapting the curriculum to better meet the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Breaking down more conceptual tasks into smaller steps, which would help reduce cognitive load for pupils.
Minutes of Previous Meeting, Item 28: NATIONAL UPDATES
Licensing Sub-Committee
On Thursday 27 June 2024, the Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider an application for a new premises licence for Harefield Food and Wine at 12 The Broadway, Harefield, UB9 6LX. The application was granted with several conditions.
Application for a New Premises Licence - Harefield Food and Wine
The applicant sought permission for the sale of alcohol from 6am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday. Local residents raised concerns about potential anti-social behaviour and increased crime.
I do not object to a further shop opening in the parade and indeed wish the applicant all the best in their business venture however I feel very strongly that the sale of alcohol from the premises is very likely to add to the problems of anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder in the area.
Gurvinder Madan - Appendix 2 - Gurvinder Madan E-mail Objection_Redacted
The applicant addressed these concerns by committing to several measures, including installing a CCTV system, staff training on the Licensing Act 2003, and not selling high strength beer or single cans. The sub-committee granted the licence with these conditions.
Licensing Sub-Committee
Another Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Thursday 27 June 2024 considered an application for a street trading licence by Shah’s Halal Food. The application was granted with conditions.
Application by Shah’s Halal Food for a Street Trading Licence
Shah’s Halal Food applied to operate a street trading business at the junction of Long Lane and Uxbridge Road. Councillors raised objections about traffic congestion, the applicant not being a Hillingdon resident, and potential nuisance to local residents.
I object to this application on the following grounds, that this will cause: major traffic congestion, the applicant is not a resident of Hillingdon, parking issues for residents in the surrounding roads.
Councillor Ranjit Singh Chamdal
Despite these objections, the committee granted the licence with conditions, including compliance with food hygiene regulations, removal of the stall by 8pm daily, and ensuring customers do not obstruct pedestrians or traffic.
Cabinet Meeting
The Cabinet also met on Thursday 27 June 2024 to discuss various issues, including the adoption of new flood risk and youth justice strategies.
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy was adopted. This strategy outlines the approach to managing flood risk in Hillingdon from 2024 to 2030. The Council is required to have this strategy under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
Youth Justice Strategy 2024-2029
The Youth Justice Strategy 2024-2029 was also adopted. This strategy aims to reduce youth crime and includes four strategic priorities: Early Help and Prevention, Diversion and Restorative Approaches, Court and Sentencing, and Partnerships and Collaboration.
Complaints
The cabinet reviewed the latest complaints data, noting that complaint volumes were consistent with the previous year. No decisions were made regarding complaints handling during this meeting.
Meeting Cancellations
The Standards Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 27 June 2024 was cancelled.
This week's meetings reflect the Council's ongoing efforts to address local concerns and improve community services. For more detailed information, you can access the full meeting transcripts and documents through the provided links.
Recent meetings
CABINET - Thursday, 26th June, 2025 7.00 pm
Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the upcoming Hillingdon Council Cabinet meeting.
Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education - Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 5.30 pm
The Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (HSACRE) is scheduled to meet on 25 June 2025 at William Byrd Primary School. The agenda includes national and local updates on religious education (RE), discussion of an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC), and an update on the HSACRE action plan. Members are also expected to discuss defining 'Meaningful RE'.
Standards Committee - Tuesday, 24th June, 2025 7.00 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Health and Social Care Select Committee - Thursday, 19th June, 2025 6.30 pm
The Hillingdon Health and Social Care Select Committee met to discuss the Hillingdon Hospital redevelopment, and to hear from the providers of two adult social care early intervention and prevention programmes: the Hillingdon Advice Partnership, and Hillingdon Mind. The committee also reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan and work programme, and agreed to schedule a meeting in October to discuss the Carers Trust.
Children, Families and Education Select Committee - Wednesday, 18th June, 2025 7.00 pm
The Children, Families and Education Select Committee met to discuss corporate parenting responsibilities, panel membership, persistent absenteeism, policy review guidance, and the forward plan and work programme. The committee agreed to appoint Councillors Nick Denys, Heena Makwana and Jan Sweeting as permanent members of the Corporate Parenting Panel, and Councillors Becky Haggar OBE, Peter Smallwood OBE and Tony Gill as substitutes. The committee also noted the final review report on persistent absenteeism.
Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee - Tuesday, 17th June, 2025 7.00 pm
The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee met to discuss the maximising of council spaces for private and business hire, to review the Cabinet Forward Plan, and to review the Committee's Work Programme. As part of the discussion on maximising council spaces, the committee heard from Karrie Whelan, Corporate Director of Place, Gary Penticost, Director of Operational Assets, and Fiona Sweet, Museums & Heritage Manager.
Residents' Services Select Committee - Thursday, 12th June, 2025 7.00 pm
The Residents' Services Select Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including Heathrow Airport's community engagement, the council's parking strategy, town centre regeneration projects, and updates to the Empty Homes Council Tax Premium. The committee reviewed a draft of the Parking Annual Report, and received updates on town centre regeneration in Uxbridge and Hayes.
Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Community & Environment - Wednesday, 11th June, 2025 6.00 pm
Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Community & Environment, heard from petitioners regarding two petitions against the proposed closure of the Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC). The petitioners raised concerns about the lack of public consultation, the impact on vulnerable adults, and the potential loss of a valuable community resource. The Cabinet Member listened to the views presented, and the information will be made available at the Cabinet meeting on 26 June 2025.
Hillingdon Planning Committee - Wednesday, 11th June, 2025 7.00 pm
The Hillingdon Planning Committee convened to discuss several planning applications, including a proposal to construct a discount food store at the site of The Orchard Inn in Ruislip, which was ultimately refused. Additionally, the committee approved an application for a double-storey side extension at 42 The Larches and another for the erection of a part two-storey, part three-storey care home at 12-18 Pield Heath Road & 2 Pield Heath Avenue, subject to a section 106 legal agreement.
Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday, 10th June, 2025 2.30 pm
The Hillingdon Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss strategic priorities and funding. The board approved the Hillingdon Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategic Priorities, Dashboard and Progress Update, which sets five strategic priorities for 2025-2028, and also approved the 2025/26 Better Care Fund Plan, which details how funding will be allocated to support health and social care integration.
Upcoming meetings
Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday, 10th July, 2025 2.00 pm