The Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel was scheduled to consider two requests for a review of a refusal to grant Discretionary Housing Payments. The meeting was also set to note any changes to the panel's membership and receive declarations of interest from members.

Review of Refusal to Grant Discretionary Housing Payment

The panel was scheduled to consider two requests for a review of decisions to refuse Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). DHPs are payments made by local authorities to help people on low incomes who are struggling to pay their rent. These payments are funded by the government and are intended to help vulnerable individuals and families meet their housing costs. The report pack indicates that the panel would be reviewing specific cases where an initial application for DHP had been refused.

The report pack states that the panel would be considering these review requests under Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. This means that the discussion of these specific cases would likely have taken place in a private session, with the public and press excluded. The grounds for exclusion are stated as Information relating to any individual, which is a common reason for such items to be heard in private to protect personal data.

The agenda for the meeting was published on the Westminster Council website as the Agenda frontsheet 07th-Jul-2026 10.00 Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel. The detailed information for the meeting was contained within the Public reports pack 07th-Jul-2026 10.00 Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel.

The panel members present were Councillor Barbara Arzymanow, who was scheduled to chair the meeting, Councillor Selina Short, and Councillor Hamza Taouzzale.