The Hillingdon Council Cabinet meeting on Thursday, 14 December 2017, saw the approval of a review into shisha bars and lounges, a detailed look at the council's budget for the upcoming year and medium-term financial forecast, and a strong stance against Heathrow expansion. Decisions were made regarding the council's financial monitoring, grants to local voluntary organisations, and the Better Care Fund agreement.

Review of Shisha Bars, Lounges, and Cafes

The Cabinet approved a review into shisha bars, lounges, and cafes, acknowledging a rise in shisha smoking, particularly among young people, and the associated public health concerns. The review aims to develop an integrated, one-council strategy to address the health and immunity impacts of unregulated shisha smoking. The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Leader and Councillor Philip Corthorne MCIPD, Mayor of Hillingdon, to provide a detailed response to the review's recommendations and implement those that are proportionate and complement the council's wider public health and regulatory activities.

Council Budget and Medium-Term Financial Forecast

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the council's budget for 2018-19 and the medium-term financial forecast for the following four years. Councillor Jonathan Bianco, Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property, presented the month seven revenue and capital monitoring report, which indicated a net underspend of nearly £1 million, an improvement of £81,000 from the previous month. The Cabinet approved ten recommendations, including an amendment to recommendation eight, which corrected a figure from £20 million to £20,000 for a grant to the Willow Tree Guide Centre.

The draft general fund and housing revenue account budgets for 2018-19 were approved, along with proposed amendments to fees and charges. These will be sent out for consultation with policy overview committees and the wider public. Notably, the budget includes the tenth consecutive year of a council tax freeze for all residents and the twelfth year for those aged 65 and over. The council also confirmed it would not be levying the social care precept for the third successive year.

The budget outlines continued investment in services and facilities, including a waste and recycling centre in the south of the borough, a new swimming pool and leisure centre in the West Drayton area, and a proposal to purchase and lease Uxbridge Police Station to MOPAC (Metropolitan Police Authority) at a modest rent, with the council offering to contribute £250,000 annually towards running costs for five years. A free bulky waste collection service will be offered to all residents, and the youth offer will be expanded with a £200,000 annual grants programme for independent youth groups. The proposed youth centre at Harefield will be repurposed as a children's playground, with Harefield also receiving funding for accommodation for uniform groups. An additional £200,000 has been allocated to the fight against Heathrow Expansion, on top of £300,000 already set aside. A £1 million annual refurbishment programme for libraries and a £750,000 annual refurbishment programme for leisure facilities, using HS2 funding, were also detailed. The Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre will be re-provided, and £500,000 will be invested in rebuilding or refurbishing bowls clubs over the next two years.

Councillor David Simmonds CBE highlighted that schools in Hillingdon are expected to see a small increase in budgets due to the shift in the national funding formula. However, he noted that the schools forum has struggled to address an underlying deficit and will be asked to revisit their homework.

Heathrow Expansion Opposition

The Cabinet unanimously approved a joint response to the government's consultation on the revised draft national policy statement regarding Heathrow Expansion. This response, developed in conjunction with the boroughs of Richmond, Wandsworth, and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, reiterates the council's commitment to opposing the expansion. The key arguments presented include that Heathrow Expansion would deliver fewer economic benefits than Gatwick Expansion, cannot be delivered without unacceptable air pollution and noise, and would at most only provide hub airport benefits for two years before returning to capacity. The response also states that Heathrow Expansion would deliver fewer domestic connections than Gatwick and has the highest environmental disbenefits, with no proven cost-effective mitigation plans. The council maintains that Gatwick Expansion is a cheaper alternative that requires no taxpayer funding and would result in far less environmental harm. The Cabinet also noted that a judicial review challenge brought by ClientEarth regarding the government's air quality plan has been expedited and will be heard in the High Court before February 23, 2018, which could significantly impact Heathrow's expansion plans.

Grants to Local Voluntary Organisations

The Cabinet approved recommendations for grants to Hillingdon's local voluntary organisations for the 2018-19 financial year, totalling just under £2 million. This includes a new £10,000 grant to the Green Corridor Organisation to support the maintenance of the borough's green spaces. A significant rearrangement of the deal with Age UK was also approved, consolidating their direct grant and specific service contracts under a core grant budget, resulting in a total of £582,000 for Age UK to support the elderly population.

Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement

The Cabinet gave legal effect to the Section 75 arrangements for the Better Care Fund for the next two years. This agreement involves a pooled budget between Hillingdon Council and Hillingdon CCG, focusing on services for the over 65s with the objective of integrating health and social care to improve outcomes for residents.

Planning Obligations Quarterly Financial Monitoring

Councillor Borrow presented the quarterly monitoring report for Section 106 and Section 278 agreements. The report shows that the council currently holds £12.8 million in planning obligations, with £3.6 million already earmarked for specific projects. In the second quarter, the council received an additional £1.4 million in income and spent £131,000. Education services hold a significant portion of these funds. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations presented in the report.