The Cabinet of Hillingdon Council met on Thursday, 23 July 2026, to discuss a range of significant issues. Key decisions included the adoption of Hillingdon's first Growth Plan, the approval of the Hillingdon Age Friendly Plan, and the allocation of licensed deficit budgets for several schools facing financial difficulties.

Former Health & Social Care Select Committee Report - Adult Social Care Early Intervention and Prevention

The Cabinet welcomed the findings of the former Health and Social Care Select Committee's review into adult social care, early intervention, and prevention. The committee highlighted the significant work already underway across the Council, the NHS, and voluntary sector partners to help residents live independently for longer and to reduce, prevent, or delay the need for more intensive care. Strengths identified included the re-ablement service, integrated neighbourhood teams, and support for unpaid carers. The report acknowledged challenges such as rising demand, an ageing population, and increasing complexity of need, concluding that early intervention and prevention must remain central to the Council's approach to ensure service sustainability. Cabinet agreed that the new Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee would receive updates over the next 18 months on the development, delivery, and effectiveness of the Council's adult social care early intervention and prevention model. This would include information on the co-production of the refresh of the Older People's Plan (now the Age Friendly Plan), the development of a data-sharing framework for Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, communication with residents, and collaborative working developments.

Hillingdon Growth Plan

The Cabinet approved the adoption of Hillingdon's first Growth Plan, a 10-year strategy designed to shape economic growth across the borough. The plan aims to ensure that Hillingdon becomes a place where the global gateway creates local opportunity, focusing on resilience, inclusivity, and pride. It is structured around three strategic pillars: Innovate (strengthening high-value sectors and supporting business growth), Connect (linking residents to jobs and improving infrastructure), and Thrive (delivering homes, regenerating places, and enhancing quality of life). The Council will adopt a system leadership role, coordinating activity and partnering with businesses, education providers, and neighbouring authorities. The plan identifies four key growth areas: Hayes, Stockley Park and The Old Vinyl Factory (creative cluster and frontier innovation); Uxbridge and Brunel Quarter (WestTech London); the Heathrow Economic Activity Zone (modern logistics and supply chains); and the towns and green spaces north of the A40 (access to nature and unique city experience). The Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Sustainable Growth, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to develop and implement detailed delivery programmes and partnerships.

Hillingdon Age Friendly Plan

The Cabinet approved the Hillingdon Age Friendly Plan, a strategic framework developed following public consultation to support the health and wellbeing of older residents. The plan, based on the World Health Organisation's Age Friendly Communities framework, focuses on eight domains: outdoor spaces and buildings, transport, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services. The plan aims to enable older people to live healthier for longer, increase independence, reduce loneliness, promote physical activity, improve access to services, and reduce reliance on acute health and social care services. The plan's actions will be delivered within existing budgets, and it will be reviewed annually. The Council also has the opportunity to apply to join the World Health Organisation's Global Age Friendly Network.

Temporary Accommodation Action Plan Monitoring

The Cabinet noted the fifth quarterly update on the delivery of the Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan. Progress has been made across all five Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) workstreams, with improvements in key measures including the number of households in temporary accommodation, new placements, and costs. Workstream 1 (Increase prevention and reduce new temporary accommodation placements) is performing well, with placements below target and strong prevention and relief outcomes. Workstream 2 (Increase access to alternative housing options) has seen good progress in securing private rented sector move-ons, with supported housing move-ons beginning in June. Workstream 3 (Reduce cost of temporary accommodation) has completed the second phase of its rent cap programme, with property standards remaining strong. Workstream 4 (Increase move-on into social housing) remains below target due to limited supply, but actions are being taken to improve engagement with Registered Providers and increase acquisitions. Workstream 5 (To deliver the MTFS programme through service modernisation) has progressed well with the completion of the Housing Needs and Homelessness Service restructure consultation and the establishment of partner engagement forums. The overall forecast for 2026/27 savings is on track for full delivery.

Commissioned Therapies for Experts at Hand Service

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of the Department for Education (DfE) SEND reforms grant and the commissioning of a provider to deliver Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy capacity as part of the Experts at Hand service. This service aims to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within mainstream school settings, aligning with national SEND reforms. The contract, valued at up to £1.5 million per annum for three years (£4.5 million total), will be awarded to Constellia Public Ltd, who will run a competitive procurement process to appoint a specialist provider. This approach is intended to ensure timely implementation, flexibility, and access to a specialist workforce, avoiding recruitment challenges. The service will support six geographical school clusters, focusing on early intervention, staff development, and whole-school support. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Children's Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults, Children, Health & Care, for the implementation of these therapy services.

Consideration of setting a licensed deficit budget for schools in the Borough 2026/27

The Cabinet approved applications for licensed deficit budgets for ten maintained schools in the Borough for the 2026/27 financial year. These schools, including Bishop Winnington-Ingram CE Primary School, Coteford Infant School, Frithwood Primary School, Harlyn Primary School, Harmondsworth Primary School, Heathrow Primary School, Lady Bankes Primary School, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Oak Wood Secondary School, and Whiteheath Junior School, are facing financial challenges due to declining pupil numbers, rising costs, and historic deficits. The schools have developed Deficit Recovery Plans with Council officers, outlining measures to improve financial sustainability. Schools approved for a licensed deficit will be subject to enhanced financial oversight and regular monitoring. The approval of these deficits will provide financial certainty for the schools while they implement recovery measures. The report noted that these deficits are managed through the Dedicated Schools Grant and have no direct impact on the Council's General Fund.

Monthly Council Budget Monitoring Report: M2

The Cabinet received the Month 2 (May) 2026 Financial Monitoring Report for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account. The General Fund is forecasting a net £584,000 potential overspend for the year, with further risks and opportunities totalling £2.7 million, which are offset by the £10 million Risk and Contingency Provision. Progress on delivering General Fund savings is showing good progress, with 61% of savings either delivered or on track. The report also proposed increases to filming fees and civil enforcement penalties, and sought delegated authority for the Cabinet Member for Community, Environment and Enforcement to approve a new policy for civil penalties under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The Cabinet approved the acceptance of grant funding totalling £2.58 million from the DfE for preventative services for children and families, and £449,000 in Planning Gift Funding. Additionally, £2.8 million in ringfenced DfE grant funding was approved for the implementation of the Experts at Hand model for SEND reforms. The Cabinet also approved capital roll-forward requests totalling £15.6 million from 2025/26 underspends, noting a forecast capital underspend of £6.97 million against the General Fund Capital Programme. The Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme is forecasting spend to budget.

Public Preview of Confidential Reports

The Cabinet noted the reports to be considered later in private, providing a public summary of the items to be discussed without releasing confidential information. These included proposals for a new care home facility and housing redevelopment at Nelson Lane, Uxbridge; the continuation of Integrated Sexual Health Services with a planned relocation to the Civic Centre; contractual arrangements for laboratory testing at Heathrow Airport; maintenance and repair services for communal lifts; tree maintenance services; an update to the garage disposal strategy; and the disposal of vacant flats at 17 Frithwood Avenue, Northwood.

Major Project: New Care Home Facility & Housing: Redevelopment of 1-10 Nelson Lane, Uxbridge

Cabinet considered proposals to redevelop the vacant Nelson Lane site in Uxbridge to provide new accommodation for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs, alongside new affordable family housing. The proposal includes two purpose-built, six-bedroom care homes for up to 12 adults, and four new affordable family homes. Cabinet was asked to approve the project and the next phase of development, including detailed design work and the preparation of planning applications.

Contract: Integrated Sexual Health Services

Cabinet was asked to approve arrangements for the continued provision of Hillingdon's Integrated Sexual Health Service, currently delivered by London North West Hospitals NHS Trust. The proposal includes the relocation of the service to the Civic Centre, which is intended to improve accessibility and create a more integrated approach to care. The relocation costs would be met by the NHS Trust, with no capital cost to the Council.

Contract: Laboratory testing contract for the Imported Food Office at Heathrow Airport

Cabinet was asked to approve contractual arrangements for specialist laboratory testing services supporting food and feed safety controls at Heathrow Airport. This service is crucial for the Council's Imported Food Office to ensure imported products meet food safety standards. The service operates on a cost-recovery basis.

Contract: Communal Passenger & Goods Lifts Maintenance & Repairs Services

Cabinet was asked to approve new arrangements for the ongoing maintenance, servicing, and repair of communal passenger and goods lifts across the Council's housing and corporate property portfolio. A competitive procurement process had identified the most advantageous tender, and the new contract is expected to ensure continuity of service, compliance with statutory requirements, and the safety and reliability of lift assets.

Contract: Tree Maintenance Service

Cabinet was asked to approve new arrangements for tree maintenance services across the borough. The service would be divided into three areas to improve resilience: North Highways and borough-wide emergency tree works; South Highways; and Housing and corporate sites. A competitive procurement process had been undertaken, with bids assessed on quality, social value, and price.

Corporate Disposals Programme 2026/27: Garage Disposal Strategy Update

Cabinet considered an update to the Council's strategy for reviewing garage sites. The strategy aims to ensure garage sites are either retained for income generation or considered for disposal where they offer greater value through development opportunities. The report recommended refining the programme based on updated site assessments, retaining some sites for income and including others with stronger development potential for disposal.

Corporate Disposals Programme 2026/27 - Flats at 17 Frithwood Avenue, Northwood

Cabinet considered the disposal of several vacant flats in Northwood, which are in poor condition and do not meet modern housing standards. The report recommended declaring these properties surplus to requirements and disposing of them to avoid refurbishment costs and secure a capital receipt for reinvestment in the housing programme.

West London Coroner – Joint Arrangements

Cabinet agreed to Hillingdon Council's participation in the proposed transfer of Metropolitan Police Service Coroner Officers into employment by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, acting as lead authority and lead employer on behalf of the West London Coroner's Court Consortium, following satisfactory legal, financial, HR and governance due diligence. Cabinet noted the proposed funding profile and approved the Council entering into the consortium, subject to final legal, financial, HR, and governance due diligence.

Disposal of Former Sea Cadets Hut, Watersplash Lane, Hayes

Cabinet approved the disposal of the former Sea Cadets Hut, Watersplash Lane, Hayes, via private treaty sale. The property had been vacant and redundant for over 15 years, and its disposal will remove a long-term liability, bring the premises into active use, and reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the Cabinet Priorities 2026-2030, which will guide the Council's service delivery and policy development over the next four years. Cabinet noted the Council's response to the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement consultation and authorised officers to continue engaging with the Department for Transport to secure changes to the draft policy. The Section 75 Agreement with West and North London Integrated Care Board for the Better Care Fund plan for 2026/27 was approved, with authority delegated for any subsequent amendments. Finally, the Cabinet received the Month 4 Budget Monitoring Report, noting a forecast revenue underspend for the General Fund and a stable position for the Housing Revenue Account, alongside approval for several capital programme changes and grant acceptances.