The CABINET of Hillingdon Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday, 23 July 2026, to discuss a range of significant matters. Key topics include the Hillingdon Growth Plan, the Hillingdon Age Friendly Plan, and the monitoring of the Temporary Accommodation Action Plan. The meeting will also address the financial position of schools within the borough and consider the monthly budget monitoring report.

Hillingdon Growth Plan

The CABINET is scheduled to consider the adoption of the Hillingdon Growth Plan as the Council's strategic framework for economic growth and regeneration. This plan outlines a 10-year vision to transform the borough's economy and places, aiming for Hillingdon to be a location where global gateway creates local opportunity. The plan is structured around three strategic pillars: Innovate, focusing on strengthening high-value sectors and supporting business growth; Connect, aiming to link residents to jobs and improve infrastructure; and Thrive, concentrating on delivering homes, regenerating places, and enhancing quality of life. The report highlights Hillingdon's strengths, such as its connectivity through Heathrow Airport and the Elizabeth Line, and its growing business base, but also identifies challenges like falling productivity, widening inequalities, and stalled housing delivery. The Council intends to adopt a system leadership role, coordinating activity across services and partnering with businesses, education providers, and neighbouring authorities to achieve its vision.

Hillingdon Age Friendly Plan

A key item on the agenda is the consideration of the Hillingdon Age Friendly Plan 2026-2031. This plan, developed following public consultation, aims to support older residents in living independently, safely, and with dignity for as long as possible. It is intended to contribute to the ambitions of the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2031. The plan is structured around eight domains based on the World Health Organisation's Age Friendly Communities framework, covering areas such as outdoor spaces and buildings, social participation, housing, community support and health services, communication and information, respect and social inclusion, transport, and civic participation and employment. The report indicates that proposed actions within the plan will be delivered within existing budgets.

Temporary Accommodation Action Plan Monitoring

The CABINET will receive its fifth quarterly update on the delivery of the Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan. The report is for noting and details progress made across five workstreams: increasing prevention and reducing new temporary accommodation placements, increasing access to alternative housing options, reducing the cost of temporary accommodation, increasing move-on into social housing, and delivering the programme through service modernisation. The report indicates improvements in key measures, including a reduction in households in temporary accommodation and associated costs, with placements below target and strong prevention and relief performance. However, challenges remain in increasing move-on into social housing due to limited supply.

Consideration of Licensed Deficit Budgets for Schools

The meeting will also address the financial standing of several schools within the borough. The CABINET is being asked to approve applications for schools to set licensed deficit budgets for the Financial Year 2026/27. This is a measure permitted under the Council's Scheme for Financing Schools where exceptional financial circumstances exist and robust recovery plans are in place. The report details the specific situations of nine primary schools and one secondary school, 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, Whiteheath Junior School, and Oak Wood Secondary School. These schools are facing financial challenges due to factors such as declining pupil numbers, rising costs, and historic deficits. The report outlines the deficit recovery plans developed by each school and the projected financial positions over the next three years.

Monthly Council Budget Monitoring Report: M2

The CABINET will review the Monthly Council Budget Monitoring Report: M2 for the 2026/27 financial year, covering the period up to the end of May. The report details the forecast financial performance against both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets. The General Fund is currently forecasting a potential overspend, which is expected to be covered by the budgeted Risk and Contingency Provision. The report also notes progress in delivering General Fund savings and the forecast position of the Council Tax Collection Fund. Additionally, proposals for in-year changes to filming fees and charges, amendments to fines for environmental offences, and the delegation of authority to approve a new policy for civil penalties under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 are scheduled for consideration. The acceptance of grant funding from the Department for Education (DfE) for children and families' preventative services and for the SEND reform programme, as well as Planning Gift Funding, is also on the agenda. Finally, the report includes requests for capital roll-forward of underspends from the 2025/26 capital programme.

Public Preview of Private Matters

The CABINET will also hold a Public Preview: Matters to be considered later in private. This session is designed to inform the public about items that will be discussed in private due to containing sensitive information, such as details about contracts, property transactions, or commercial/financial information. The report provides summaries of these private agenda items, including the Major Project: New Care Home Facility & Housing: Redevelopment of 1-10 Nelson Lane, Uxbridge, Contract: Integrated Sexual Health Services, Contract: Laboratory testing contract for the Imported Food Office at Heathrow Airport, Contract: Communal Passenger & Goods Lifts Maintenance & Repairs Services, Contract: Tree Maintenance Service, Corporate Disposals Programme 2026/27 - Garage Disposal Strategy Update, and Corporate Disposals Programme 2026/27 - Flats at 17 Frithwood Avenue, Northwood. The purpose is to maintain transparency while protecting the Council's interests.

Commissioned Therapies for Experts at Hand Service

The CABINET is set to consider proposals for the commissioning of therapy services as part of the Experts at Hand offer, a key component of the new SEND reforms. This initiative aims to strengthen the capability of mainstream education settings to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND more effectively and inclusively. The report recommends accepting Department for Education (DfE) SEND reforms grant funding and approving a contract award to Constellia Public Ltd for the commissioning of Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy capacity. This approach is proposed to ensure timely implementation and access to a specialist workforce, with a contract value of up to £1.5 million per annum for three years.

Consideration of Setting a Licensed Deficit Budget for Schools

This item, detailed under Agenda Item 10, focuses on the financial health of specific schools. The CABINET will be asked to approve applications for several maintained schools to set licensed deficit budgets for the 2026/27 financial year. The report outlines the reasons for these deficits, which include declining pupil numbers, rising costs, and historic shortfalls. Schools identified include 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, Whiteheath Junior School, and Oak Wood Secondary School. Each school has developed a Deficit Recovery Plan, and the report details the projected financial positions and recovery trajectories. The report clarifies that these deficits are managed through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and have no direct impact on the Council's General Fund.

Public Preview of Confidential Reports

Under Agenda Item 12, the CABINET will conduct a Public Preview of Confidential Reports. This session is a standard part of the Council's commitment to transparency, allowing for a public overview of items that will be discussed in private due to containing exempt information. The report lists the specific items that will be considered in private, providing a brief summary of each without revealing confidential details. These include a major project for a new care home and housing redevelopment at 1-10 Nelson Lane, Uxbridge; contracts for Integrated Sexual Health Services, laboratory testing at Heathrow Airport, communal lift maintenance, and tree maintenance services; and updates on the Corporate Disposals Programme concerning garage sites and flats at 17 Frithwood Avenue, Northwood.