The Cabinet of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Monday 06 November 2023, with Deputy Leader Ben Coleman chairing the meeting in the absence of Leader Stephen Cowan. The meeting confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting and discussed several key reports, including the funding of community benefits through planning obligations, community investment in climate initiatives, and the Hammersmith Bridge toll order and road user charging scheme.

Funding Community Benefits Through Planning Obligations

The council has successfully negotiated over £19 million with property developers for community benefits, an increase of £1.5 million from the previous year. This funding will be allocated to various initiatives, including nearly £2 million for the gangs, violence, and exploitation unit and its 72-strong law enforcement team, which supports the police across the borough. Councillor Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, presented the report, highlighting it as an excellent report and a significant drive to tackle anti-social behaviour and environmental crime, potentially the largest in London.

Andrew Dinsmore, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, questioned how the investment in law enforcement teams would address the borough's high rate of violent crime, given that these teams do not have powers of arrest, stop and search, or the ability to enter suspect properties. Councillor Ree responded that the Law Enforcement Team (LET) provides vital assistance to the Metropolitan Police, acting as a visible deterrent and conducting operations such as knife searches on council estates. He noted that the GANGS unit is a particularly effective innovation working with young people to prevent involvement in violent crime. Dinsmore also inquired about the cost analysis of increasing police officers versus LET officers, suggesting that police might have been ruled out on ideological grounds. Councillor Ree refuted this, stating the council operates on effectiveness rather than ideology, and that the LETs provide a visible neighbourhood presence in response to resident demand, supplementing the police force which has been impacted by government cuts.

Community Investment in Climate Initiatives

The council is seeking approval to issue £5 million in local authority securities to enable residents to invest directly in greening the borough. This initiative, an amendment to the Treasury Management Strategy, represents the largest instance of its kind attempted by the council. Councillor Ree explained that these are low-risk investments with a fixed return, and the council is confident in raising a significant portion of the funds due to current interest rates and clear resident demand for environmental improvements.

Councillor Wesley Harcourt, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Ecology, emphasised the high cost of adapting to climate change and achieving net carbon zero, noting that external funding streams are often competitive and not guaranteed. He stated that this initiative aims to involve residents and foster a sense of ownership in tackling climate change. Andrew Dinsmore raised concerns about the financial viability of the scheme, questioning how the promised returns would be funded, particularly in light of inflation and the contract value for managing the investment. Councillor Ree clarified that the bonds would have a fixed rate, lower than the council's borrowing rate from the Public Works Loan Board, and that the £5 million would directly fund climate projects, not generate profit. He explained that these projects are necessary council investments to mitigate climate change effects, not speculative ventures.

Hammersmith Bridge Toll Order and Road User Charging Scheme

The report recommended the implementation of a toll order or road user charging scheme to meet the council's obligation to fund one-third of the total cost of Hammersmith Bridge repairs, as expected by the government. Councillor Sharon Holder, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, formally moved the report.

Andrew Dinsmore asked for a proposed timetable for the bridge's full reopening to all traffic and what would happen to any surplus funds generated by the toll or charging scheme. Councillor Holder stated that a precise timetable could not be provided at this stage, as the Department for Transport's outline business case had not yet been received. She also noted that the council would not be directly responsible for any road charging scheme, and discussions would be needed with the service provider regarding any surplus. Councillor Holder praised the current approach, contrasting it with a previous proposal for the council and government to split costs, which she believed would have led to significant cuts in essential services. She expressed the expectation that the government would now play its part in expediting the bridge's repair.

Revenue Budget Review

The Cabinet noted and agreed the month four monitoring report of the council's revenue budget, which outlines any movements and areas of pressure within the budget for the period.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The forward plan of key decisions was also noted by the Cabinet.