The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee met to receive service briefings and an introduction to overview and scrutiny, and to discuss the council's forward plan and work programme. Key discussions included updates on planning services, housing needs and homelessness, and the housing revenue account, alongside presentations on the capital programme and property and estates.

Introduction to Overview and Scrutiny

Mark Braddock, the Statutory Scrutiny Officer, provided an overview of the role and importance of overview and scrutiny within the council's governance arrangements. He explained that select committees act as a crucial check and balance on the executive, holding the Cabinet to account and ensuring services meet resident needs. The committee's remit includes monitoring the Cabinet Forward Plan, reviewing past decisions, undertaking in-depth policy reviews, and scrutinising local public agencies. The committee's work programme will be managed over multiple years to allow for thorough reviews and effective monitoring of implemented recommendations.

Service Briefings

Several officers provided updates on key service areas within the committee's remit:

• Planning Services: Ian Thynne, standing in for Julia Johnson, Director of the Planning and Sustainable Growth team, outlined the service's role in place-shaping, strategic planning, and development management. He highlighted the importance of the Local Plan, the Uxbridge Town Centre vision, and the need to gather evidence to support growth. Key challenges include government policy changes affecting planning application delegation, pressure on the Green Belt, and the implications of Heathrow expansion. The service handles approximately 4,000 planning applications annually and is noted as being one of the busiest and most cost-effective planning departments in London.

• Private Sector Housing: Adam Stimson, Assistant Director of Housing and Homelessness, detailed the service's responsibilities, including licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), investigating disrepair complaints, and implementing new duties under the Renters' Rights Act. The service also oversees fire safety programmes and addresses empty homes.

• Housing Needs and Homelessness Service: Adam Stimson also presented on this service, which supports homeless households into new housing. The service receives around 7,000 new cases annually, including mainstream homeless applications, single homeless individuals, and those leaving Home Office accommodation or fleeing domestic abuse. Hillingdon has a high number of rough sleepers, often linked to Heathrow Airport. The service is undergoing a modernisation programme driven by the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to control costs, particularly for temporary accommodation.

• Housing Revenue Account (HRA): Sam Strong, Assistant Director of Homes and Neighbourhoods, explained that the HRA is a ring-fenced account managing approximately £96-£97 million in rental income to provide services for 10,000-13,000 residents. The service aims for financial sustainability and full compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing, having achieved a C2 grading and working towards C1. There is a strong focus on tenancy sustainment and increasing resident involvement in service co-production. Liam Bentley, Assistant Director of Repairs, Voids and Caretaking Services, and Glenn Martin, Assistant Director, FM Planworks, M&E and Compliance, also contributed, highlighting their roles in maintaining safe and compliant homes, with a high percentage of repairs completed within target times.

• Capital Programme and Property and Estates: Michael Norton, Assistant Director, Capital Programme, provided an overview of major new builds and renovations across the council's estate. Recent projects include the Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre at West Drayton and housing developments in Hayes and Uxbridge. The service also undertakes school works, including fire safety upgrades, and heritage projects. Property and Estates manage leases, licences, commercial rents, and disposals or acquisitions of council properties.

Forward Plan and Work Programme

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan, a monthly document outlining future key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet and Cabinet Members. Councillors were encouraged to identify items within their remit for pre-decision scrutiny or post-decision review. The committee also discussed its draft multi-year work programme, which sets out the planned activities and meeting schedule for the coming years. This includes regular service monitoring, policy reviews, and updates on strategic initiatives.

The meeting was held on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.