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Cabinet - Monday 13th July, 2026 6.30 pm
July 13, 2026 at 6:30 pm Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Cabinet of Westminster City Council met on Monday 13 July 2026 to approve financial outturn reports and to endorse the approach for medium-term financial planning. Key decisions included the approval of the revenue and capital outturn for 2025/26 and the adoption of a budget process for the period 2027/28 to 2030/31, which will involve significant public engagement.
Revenue and Capital Outturn and Statement of Accounts 2025/26
The Cabinet approved recommendations to note the revenue and capital outturn positions for the financial year 2025/26. They also approved the reprofiling of the capital programme from 2025/26 to future years. This reprofiling is necessary to ensure that the 2026/27 capital budgets accurately reflect the outturn position from the previous year. The report detailed an £8.2m overspend in the General Fund, primarily driven by pressures in temporary accommodation and children's social care, which will be funded from the Council's General Fund balance. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) also reported an overspend of £2.1m due to new legislative and regulatory requirements. Significant underspends were noted in the capital programmes for both the General Fund and the HRA, with many projects being reprofiled to future years due to delays, including those caused by the cyber incident in November 2025.
Medium Term Financial Planning (2027/28 to 2030/31)
The Cabinet approved the budget process approach for the medium-term financial planning period of 2027/28 to 2030/31, and noted the revised financial forecast. This planning period is described as one of the most challenging the Council has faced, with an anticipated reduction in government funding of approximately 46% over the next four years, equating to around £100 million. The report highlighted an indicative budget gap of £71 million in 2027/28, rising to £161 million by 2030/31. This significant shortfall necessitates a review of both service savings and potential Council Tax increases. To inform these difficult decisions, the Council will undertake a comprehensive public engagement programme, including online surveys, postal surveys, outreach through amenity societies and forums, and public town-hall-style meetings. Councillor Paul Fisher, Cabinet Member for Value for Money and Finance, emphasised the need for residents to understand the financial realities, stating, There is a statutory requirement to set an annual balanced budget and submit budget returns to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
1 The engagement process aims to gather resident views on service priorities to help shape the final budget.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is the government department responsible for local government finance and policy in England. ↩
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Medium Term Financial Planning (2027/28 to 2030/31)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Planning approved the Knightsbridge Partnership Occupier BID Renewal and Alteration Proposal 2026-2031 on 6 May 2026. The decision included requesting the Chief Executive to hold a ballot for the BID and approving the entry into necessary legal agreements for BID Levy collection. The proposal aims to strengthen the trading environment, elevate the public realm, and improve the visitor, worker, and resident experience in Knightsbridge.
The Executive Director – Environment & Communities, in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance & Resources, decided on 23 June 2026 to rely on the mandatory Parent Company Guarantee for the Highways and Public Realm Contract and not to require a Performance Bond. This decision was made following consultation with Finance and Legal Services.
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Voluntary Sector approved the procurement strategy on 1 March 2025, delegating authority to the Bi-borough Executive Director of Adults Social Care and Health to directly award the contract to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Hospital Foundation Trust. The Executive Director of Adults Social Care and Public Health was recommended to approve the award of a contract for GUM and sexual health services on 30 July 2025. This decision supports the continuation of local Genitourinary Medicine (GUM services) on conclusion of the checks and processes required by the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) legislation.
The Cabinet decided on 1 October 2026 to approve the progression from feasibility design to public consultation and Stage 2 and 3 design using allocated capital budget for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
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Revenue and Capital Outturn and Statement of Accounts 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to note the revenue and capital outturn positions for 2025/26. They also approved the reprofiling of the 2025/26 capital programme to future years. This decision was made on 13 July 2026.
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Medium Term Financial Planning (2027/28 to 2030/31)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Westminster Council approved recommendations on 13 July 2026. They noted the revised medium term financial planning forecast to 2030/31 and approved the budget process approach, including a proposal for budget engagement with residents and stakeholders.
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