The Cabinet of Ealing Council met on Wednesday 7 October 2026, approving a refreshed Asset Management Strategy for housing, adopting a new Hate Crime Strategy, and agreeing to extend the contract for Greener Ealing Limited. Key decisions also included approving an updated Placement Policy for temporary accommodation, endorsing the Heart of Perivale Placemaking Framework, and agreeing to procure a main contractor for the Mandeville Housing Development.

Asset Management Strategy Approved

The Cabinet approved the refreshed Housing Asset Management Strategy 2026-31, which sets out the council's approach to managing, maintaining, and investing in its housing stock over the next five years. The strategy aims to ensure homes are safe, compliant, decent, and sustainable, with a focus on prioritising investment based on risk, condition, and resident impact. It also aims to improve transparency in decision-making and communication with residents. Councillor Louise Brett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Safe and Genuinely Affordable Homes, presented the strategy, highlighting its alignment with the council's plan to provide safe and well-managed homes for residents. Councillor Malcolm raised concerns about the strategy's ability to prevent future cases of mould, to which Councillor Brett responded by explaining the council's ongoing journey towards full compliance and investment in its aging housing stock. The strategy was approved, with delegated authority given to the Operational Director of Housing for minor amendments.

New Hate Crime Strategy Adopted

A new Ealing Hate Crime Strategy 2026-2029 and its accompanying Action Plan 2027-2028 were adopted by the Cabinet. Councillor Jasbir Anand, Cabinet Member for Tackling Crime and Antisocial Behaviour, presented the strategy, which aims to prevent hate crime, increase reporting, support victims, and strengthen partnerships. The strategy was developed following extensive engagement with residents and community stakeholders, acknowledging that hate crime and incidents continue to affect some residents despite Ealing's diverse and cohesive community. Councillor Malcolm inquired about outcome measurements for the strategy, and Councillor Anand confirmed quarterly monitoring through the Hate Crime Partnership and Safer Ealing Partnership. Councillor Gallant sought further elaboration on prevention in schools and cross-party support, with Councillor Anand outlining work with the PSHE Network and other partners. A significant portion of the discussion involved Councillor Anand's strong condemnation of the Green Party's adoption of an Zionism is racism motion, linking it to broader issues of antisemitism and the need for reflection within political parties.

Greener Ealing Limited Contract Extended

The Cabinet agreed to extend the contract with Greener Ealing Limited (GEL) for five years, from 07 July 2030 to 06 July 2035. Councillor Dominic Moffitt, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, presented the report, stating the extension would provide long-term certainty for fleet investment, workforce planning, and future service development, ensuring better value for money. Councillor Malcolm questioned the early extension given past issues with waste collection and street cleansing, and whether such a long contract was risky. Councillor Moffitt countered by highlighting a significant decrease in complaints since GEL's establishment in 2020 and argued that extending the contract was responsible for securing fleet procurement and vehicle lifespan.

Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy Approved

An updated Placement Policy for Temporary Accommodation and Private Rented Sector Offers was approved by the Cabinet. Councillor Louise Brett presented the policy, which introduces a transparent framework for placement decisions, balancing homelessness pressures with limited housing supply. The policy aims to protect vulnerable households and ensure placements are fair, lawful, and suitable. Councillor Malcolm raised concerns about the 90-minute travel time criteria for out-of-borough placements, and Councillor Brett clarified it referred to travel within the borough boundary. Councillor Kubica questioned the number of people housed from other boroughs and efforts to reduce cross-borough placements, with Councillor Brett acknowledging the ongoing issue across London and the work being done by London Councils.

Perivale Placemaking Framework Endorsed

The Cabinet endorsed the Perivale Placemaking Framework, which outlines the council's aspiration to establish a new civic heart for the town around Perivale Station. Councillor Monica Hamidi, Cabinet Member for Good Growth, presented the framework, noting that Perivale is the only town without a defined town centre and that community engagement has consistently highlighted this need. Councillor Gallant raised questions about the consultation process, the budget for scoping the project, traffic concerns on Horsenden Lane, and the potential impact on the Medway estate. Councillor Hamidi addressed these points, clarifying that further consultation would take place and that the budget was from the economy and sustainability fund.

Mandeville Housing Development Procurement Approved

The Cabinet agreed to procure a contractor for the Mandeville Housing Development through a mini-competition under the Notting Hill Genesis framework. Councillor Louise Brett presented the report, seeking approval for a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) followed by the main works contract, subject to GLA grant confirmation. A capital budget of £438,597.54 was approved to progress the development, which will deliver 100 new council homes for social rent. Councillor Kubica had no questions on this item.

Temporary Accommodation Leasing Proposal Renewal

The Cabinet agreed to extend the lease for The Barn Hotel, a temporary accommodation facility, for a further two years. Councillor Louise Brett explained that this extension was necessary due to ongoing homelessness pressures and would provide a stable source of accommodation, reducing reliance on B&B. Councillor Kubica asked about targets for room voids and the council's strategy for acquiring its own temporary accommodation, with Councillor Brett confirming that smaller rooms cost less when void and that the council is actively acquiring its own temporary accommodation through leasing and bulk purchasing.

School Places and Capital Approvals

An update on school places and approval for capital works were presented by Councillor Blerina Hashani, Cabinet Member for a Fairer Start. The report detailed falling school rolls across London and Ealing, leading to reductions in reception places. Capital approvals were sought for an £8 million annual school condition works programme for 2027, covering structural works and replacements. Councillor Gallant inquired about cross-border collaboration for school place planning, and Councillor Hashani agreed on the importance of this, noting a recent report from London Councils encouraging such collaboration.

Greener Ealing Limited Contract Extension

The Cabinet agreed to extend the contract with Greener Ealing Limited (GEL) for five years, from 07 July 2030 to 06 July 2035. Councillor Dominic Moffitt, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, presented the report, stating the extension would provide long-term certainty for fleet investment, workforce planning, and future service development, ensuring better value for money. Councillor Malcolm questioned the early extension given past issues with waste collection and street cleansing, and the risk associated with such a long contract. Councillor Moffitt responded by highlighting a decrease in complaints since GEL's inception and arguing that the extension was responsible for fleet procurement and vehicle lifespan.

LBLA Barristers Framework Extension

The Cabinet agreed to extend the London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA) Barristers Framework Agreement for a further year, from 01 January 2027 to 31 December 2027. Councillor Stephen Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, explained that this extension would allow continued access to specialist barristers at discounted rates while a new framework is procured. There were no indications from Cabinet members to speak on this item.

Assets and Networks: Accelerating Community for Everyone in our 7 Towns

The Cabinet agreed to implement a new place-based organising model across Ealing's seven towns to strengthen community capacity and social connection. Councillor Lauren Wall, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities, presented the proposal, which involves an investment of approximately £1.6 million to establish town-based community development infrastructure. Councillor Malcolm and Councillor Gallant both asked about the integration with Your Voice Your Town representatives and the source of the £1.6 million budget. Councillor Wall clarified that the funding comes from the community growth and power fund and that the coordination groups will work across various partners, including Your Voice Your Town. Councillor Gallant also raised a question about supporting residents through registering empty buildings as assets of community value, which Councillor Wall deemed outside the scope of the current paper.

Heart of Perivale: Perivale Placemaking Framework

The Cabinet approved the Perivale Placemaking Framework, which sets out the council's aspiration to establish a new civic heart for the town around Perivale Station. Councillor Monica Hamidi, Cabinet Member for Good Growth, presented the framework, highlighting the lack of a defined town centre and the community's desire for more local amenities and jobs. Councillor Gallant questioned the consultation process, the budget source, traffic concerns, and potential impact on the Medway estate. Councillor Hamidi addressed these points, confirming further consultation would occur and that the budget was from the economy and sustainability fund.

Authority to Procure Main Contractor for Mandeville Housing Development

The Cabinet agreed to procure a contractor for the Mandeville Housing Development through a mini-competition under the Notting Hill Genesis framework. Councillor Louise Brett presented the report, seeking approval for a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) followed by the main works contract, subject to GLA grant confirmation. A capital budget of £438,597.54 was approved to fund the post-planning phase of the development, which will deliver 100 new council homes for social rent. Councillor Kubica had no questions on this item.

Temporary Accommodation Leasing Proposal Renewal

The Cabinet agreed to extend the lease for The Barn Hotel, a temporary accommodation facility, for a further two years. Councillor Louise Brett explained that this extension was necessary due to ongoing homelessness pressures and would provide a stable source of accommodation, reducing reliance on B&B. Councillor Kubica inquired about targets for room voids and the council's strategy for acquiring its own temporary accommodation, with Councillor Brett confirming that smaller rooms cost less when void and that the council is actively acquiring its own temporary accommodation through leasing and bulk purchasing.

Update on School Places and Children's Services Capital and Procurement Approvals

Councillor Blerina Hashani, Cabinet Member for a Fairer Start, presented an update on school places and sought capital approvals for the High Priority Condition Works programme. The report detailed falling school rolls and proposed capital approvals for an £8 million annual programme for 2027. Councillor Gallant asked about cross-border collaboration for school place planning, and Councillor Hashani agreed on its importance, referencing a recent report from London Councils.

Greener Ealing Limited Contract Extension

The Cabinet agreed to extend the contract with Greener Ealing Limited (GEL) for five years, from 07 July 2030 to 06 July 2035. Councillor Dominic Moffitt, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, presented the report, stating the extension would provide long-term certainty for fleet investment, workforce planning, and future service development, ensuring better value for money. Councillor Malcolm questioned the early extension given past issues with waste collection and street cleansing, and the risk associated with such a long contract. Councillor Moffitt responded by highlighting a decrease in complaints since GEL's inception and arguing that the extension was responsible for fleet procurement and vehicle lifespan.