The Cabinet of Hillingdon Council met on Thursday, 17 September 2026, approving the Council's priorities for 2026-2030 and its formal response to the government's draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement. The meeting also saw the approval of the monthly budget monitoring report for Month 4, along with several other financial and operational decisions.

Cabinet Priorities 2026-2030

The Cabinet approved Hillingdon Council's priorities for the period 2026-2030, with the overarching ambition to make the borough an even better place to live, work, and invest. These priorities are: being easy to deal with, being brilliant at the basics, putting residents first, delivering Hillingdon homes for Hillingdon people, supporting future generations, and being open for business. These priorities will guide the Council's emerging Council Plan, future policies, service delivery, organisational culture, and communications. The plan aims to ensure a clear link between ambitions, resources, delivery, and measurable outcomes, aligning with the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Council's business and budget planning.

Consultation Response to the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement

The Cabinet noted the Council's formal response to the government's consultation on the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS). The Council reiterated its firm opposition to a third runway at Heathrow, arguing that the case for expansion had not been proven and that the significant impacts on local communities, health, and the environment were not adequately addressed. The response highlighted concerns that the draft HENPS lacked clear decision-making criteria, robust safeguards, and enforceable mitigation measures, potentially allowing expansion to proceed without adequately protecting residents and the environment. The Cabinet authorised officers to continue engaging with the Department for Transport to seek changes to the draft HENPS, advocating for stronger policy tests, community impact assessments, and improved governance and funding arrangements should expansion proceed.

Monthly Budget Monitoring Report: Month 4

The Cabinet received and noted the Month 4 budget monitoring report, which indicated a forecast underspend of £4.069m for the General Fund and a net nil variance for the Housing Revenue Account. The report detailed progress in delivering savings and highlighted the acceptance of several grant funding streams, including £262,350 from the Department for Education for the Children's Social Care Improvement Teams Programme.

Key capital monitoring decisions included approving a budget virement of £131k from the capital contingency for the Ruislip Scout Group building works, accepting a £88k grant from the Department for Education for family hub improvements, and accepting £10.710m in funding from the Department for Education for special school provision. The report also noted forecast capital underspends of £31.745m for the General Fund and £3.835m for the Housing Revenue Account.

2026/27 Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement

The Cabinet approved the Council entering into a Section 75 Agreement with the West and North London Integrated Care Board for the 2026/27 Better Care Fund (BCF) plan. This agreement, valued at £76,342,227, supports closer working between health and social care services to coordinate resources around shared priorities and improve outcomes for residents. The Council's contribution of £46,674,122 represents existing services and funding aligned with BCF priorities, while the NHS contribution is £29,668,105. This pooled budget is a national requirement and releases £27,927,934 from the NHS to the Hillingdon health and care system, with £9,564,653 directly supporting Adult Social Care. The plan focuses on identifying individuals at risk of escalating needs, supporting independence, preventing hospital admissions, and facilitating safe hospital discharge. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to amend the agreement's terms during the year.

Disposal of Former Sea Cadets Hut, Watersplash Lane, Hayes

Cabinet approved the disposal of the former Sea Cadets Hut site at Watersplash Lane, Hayes, via private treaty sale. The property has been vacant for over 15 years and is no longer required for Council services. Disposal is intended to remove a long-term liability, reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour, and bring the site back into productive use, generating a capital receipt for the Council. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Residents Services to finalise the sale terms.

West London Coroner – Joint Arrangements

The Cabinet agreed to Hillingdon Council's participation in a joint arrangement for Coroner Officer staffing, led by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. This decision follows the Metropolitan Police Service's withdrawal of staffing support for Coroner Officers. The collaborative approach will maintain a coordinated Coroner Officer service across West London through a shared legal, financial, and governance framework. The funding model involves phased contributions from the Metropolitan Police Service and participating councils, with Hillingdon's future share based on a population-based formula. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to finalise and execute the necessary agreements.

The meeting also included the approval of the monthly budget monitoring report for Month 4, the acceptance of various grant funding and contributions, and the approval of capital budget changes. Decisions on private and confidential matters were also made, including the disposal of the former Sea Cadets Hut and joint arrangements for the West London Coroner service.