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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 discuss the council's financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year and to approve the approach for medium-term financial planning for the years 2027/28 to 2030/31. The meeting resulted in the approval of both the revenue and capital outturn for 2025/26, including the reprofiling of the capital programme, and the budget process for the upcoming financial years, which will involve engagement with residents and stakeholders.
Revenue and Capital Outturn and Statement of Accounts 2025/26
The Cabinet reviewed the council's financial performance for the 2025/26 financial year. The General Fund revenue outturn showed an overspend of £8.2 million, primarily due to pressures in temporary accommodation and children's social care, partially offset by increased parking income. This overspend will be funded from the General Fund balance. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) also reported an overspend of £2.1 million, which will be met from HRA reserves.
The capital outturn for the General Fund showed an underspend of £92.9 million, and for the HRA, an underspend of £39.6 million. The Cabinet approved the reprofiling of the 2025/26 capital programme to future years. This reprofiling is necessary to ensure that the 2026/27 capital budgets accurately reflect the 2025/26 outturn position. Significant underspends in the capital programme were attributed to various factors, including delays in acquisitions, on-site issues, and the impact of the cyber incident.
Medium Term Financial Planning (2027/28 to 2030/31)
The Cabinet considered the council's financial forecast for the next four years, highlighting a challenging outlook due to significant reductions in government grant funding and increasing demand-led pressures in key services. The report indicated an indicative budget gap of £71 million in 2027/28, rising to £161 million by 2030/31. This represents an increase of £73 million from the previously reported position.
To address this significant financial challenge, the council plans to engage residents and stakeholders on service priorities and potential council tax increases. The proposed budget process approach includes a comprehensive engagement campaign to inform residents about the scale of the financial challenge and to gather their input on service values and protection priorities. The council anticipates a need for both service reductions and a significant increase in council tax to balance the budget. The report also detailed the impact of national economic factors, such as inflation and the conflict in the Middle East, on the council's financial projections, as well as specific pressures within temporary accommodation and social care services. The council's transformation programme, Fit for the Future,
aims to deliver a minimum of £30 million in recurring savings by the end of 2028/29.
The Cabinet approved the revised medium-term financial planning forecast to 2030/31 and endorsed the budget process approach, including the proposal for resident and stakeholder engagement. This marks the initial stage of the annual business planning cycle for the forthcoming financial year 2027/28, with a statutory requirement to set a balanced budget.
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 of Westminster Council approved recommendations regarding medium term financial planning on 13/07/2026. They noted the revised financial planning forecast to 2030/31 and approved the budget process approach, including resident and stakeholder engagement.
Gerald Almeroth, Executive Director of Finance Resources, approved the granting of a licence to occupy part of Pimlico Library to a licensee on 28/05/2026. This licence will support the range of services delivered at the site.
Debbie Jackson, Executive Director of Regeneration, Economy & Planning, approved the appropriation of council land at 45 Kilburn Park Road for housing purposes on 22/05/2026. This includes transferring the land from the General Fund account to the Housing Revenue Account at its current Red Book value.
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Revenue and Capital Outturn and Statement of Accounts 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet approved the reprofiling of the 2025/26 capital programme to/from future years and noted the revenue and capital outturn positions for 2025/26 on 13 July 2026.
The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health approved the procurement strategy for the Sexual Health Promotion, Prevention and Support Service on 10 June 2026. This included delegating authority to the Director of Public Health to award the contract and permit extensions.
The Cabinet Member for Value for Money and Finance approved the principle of granting a commercial lease for 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road to Sandbox London Bridge Limited on 18 June 2026. Authority was delegated to the Director of Corporate Property to approve minor amendments to the heads of terms and grant the lease.
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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 Member for Economic Development & Planning approved the Knightsbridge Partnership Occupier BID Renewal and Alteration Proposal 2026-2031 on 6 May 2026. The decision includes requesting the Chief Executive to hold a ballot for the BID and approving the City Council entering 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 for Environment & Communities, following consultation with the Executive Director of Finance & Resources, decided on 23 June 2026 to rely on the mandatory Parent Company Guarantee and not require a Performance Bond for the Highways and Public Realm Contract. This decision was made after considering alternative options and assessing remaining risks.
The Bi-borough Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health approved the award of a contract for Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) and sexual health services to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Hospital Foundation Trust on 30 July 2025. This decision supports the continuation of local GUM services and includes a one-off payment for a Saturday clinic.
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