The Borough Council of Hounslow has a future meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 15 September 2026. The agenda for this meeting is expected to cover several significant local issues.

Tackling Hounslow's Social Housing Waiting List Crisis

A key item on the agenda is expected to address the issue of social housing in Hounslow. The report pack indicates that there are approximately 5,100 households on the borough's housing register awaiting social housing, with a further 531 households currently living in temporary accommodation. A proposed motion, put forward by Councillor Sampath Mudaliar and seconded by Councillor Satwant Kaur, outlines several resolutions aimed at improving the situation. These include introducing an enhanced downsizing incentive for tenants in larger homes, offering up to £2,000 for those who voluntarily move to smaller properties, and implementing a time-limited Tenancy Fraud Key Amnesty to encourage the return of unlawfully occupied council properties. The motion also proposes stronger action against illegal subletting, a review of council tenancy succession rules, and the introduction of a 'three strikes' policy for tenancy breaches. Finally, it calls for the publication of an annual report detailing efforts to protect and utilise social homes effectively.

Restoring Hounslow's High Streets

The council is also scheduled to consider proposals aimed at revitalising Hounslow's high streets, which have seen a proliferation of vape shops, betting shops, and gaming centres. The report pack indicates that new vape shops currently do not require planning permission, falling under the same use class as regular shops, cafes, and gyms. Similarly, betting shops have benefited from the 'aim to permit' rule, limiting local authorities' power to reject applications. With 57 betting shops already in the borough, a motion, proposed by Councillor Karen Smith and seconded by Councillor Tom Bruce, welcomes government announcements that will grant councils greater control over their high streets. It proposes using new regulatory powers to prevent the clustering of betting shops in deprived communities and to stop vape shops opening near schools. The council is also expected to discuss investing in high streets through Pride in Place funding for shopfront improvements, murals, and mosaics, as well as leveraging its convening power to support local businesses and promote Business Improvement Districts.

Responding to National Devolution Agenda

A motion titled Rewiring the State: Hounslow's Response, proposed by Councillor Scott Hill and seconded by Councillor Unsa Chaudri, is set to be discussed. This item addresses a letter from Prime Minister Andy Burnham to council leaders, pledging to work with you to change our country for the better and acknowledging that politics in the UK has not been good enough for some time now. The motion notes the Prime Minister's promise of a new White Paper for an ambitious devolution agenda and his acknowledgement of councils being at the forefront of supporting residents. The council is expected to consider how Hounslow can be at the centre of this plan, particularly in addressing economic inequality and the need for reform in high-cost services like adult and children's social care, homelessness, and special educational needs and disabilities. The council is expected to seek cross-party support for its response, welcoming commitments to tackle these issues and a renewed devolution agenda, while recognising the success of devolution in London and advocating for a new governance settlement that allows London Boroughs and the Mayor to make strategic decisions together.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The meeting's agenda also includes the Hounslow Youth Justice Plan 2024-2027 (2026 Update), presented by Councillor Madeeha Asim, Portfolio holder for Children and Young Futures. This report will likely detail the progress and future plans for youth justice services within the borough.

Additionally, there are several procedural items scheduled, including the Appointment of Independent Member to the Audit and Governance Committee, a reference from the Audit and Governance Committee, and Changes to the Council's Constitution, covering the Planning Committee Terms of Reference, Council and Committee Procedure Rules, also referenced from the Audit and Governance Committee.

The council will also consider Appointments to Committees and Other Bodies, and note any Decisions Taken Under Urgency Arrangements.

Finally, there are motions scheduled on the National Year of Reading - Libraries, proposed by Councillor Fiza Ahmed, and Protecting Private Renters, proposed by Councillor Marcela Benedetti. These motions are expected to outline initiatives to promote literacy and enhance protections for private tenants, respectively.