The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the council's work programme for the upcoming year, review emergency preparedness arrangements, and receive an update on the progress of the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking Programme Task Group. The committee was also set to consider a written update from the Chief Executive Officer.

Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to discuss and shape its work programme for the municipal year 2026/27. This involves identifying topics for scrutiny, with a focus on areas where the council is developing new policy (pre-decision scrutiny), reviewing implemented policies (post-decision scrutiny), or providing oversight. The work programme is designed to be flexible, allowing for urgent issues to be addressed. The committee was also asked to consider any topics for a potential Task Group or single Member study. The council's vision for scrutiny, which aims to promote transparency and accountability, was to be considered. This includes championing positive outcomes for communities, holding the council and its partners accountable, examining priorities, and engaging in policy development with constructive challenge.

Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Update

A review of the council's emergency preparedness and resilience arrangements was scheduled. This included updates on the London Local Authorities Assurance Process, where Westminster City Council was assessed as 'Established' across ten resilience standards and 'Developing' in Recovery Management. The report was expected to detail work underway to strengthen recovery planning. Humanitarian assistance arrangements, including plans for emergency centres and support for affected individuals, were also to be discussed, along with the training of approximately 300 Westminster officers for operational roles. The report was to cover the development of community resilience, including the publication of the Westminster Community Resilience Strategy in August 2026, which is based on four principles: We are informed; We are prepared; We work together and We grow through experience. The committee was also to receive an update on the debriefing following a three-borough cyber security incident in November 2025, which generated 325 recommendations and 207 examples of good practice. Further discussion was anticipated on cyber security and AI risk management, including the establishment of an AI Assurance Board to evaluate risks and mitigations for AI solutions. The report was also to address the council's statutory duty under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to assess and plan for emergency risks, with the Borough Risk Register being informed by national and London registers. The committee was to be updated on 22 major incidents or emergencies responded to in the last financial year, including the Enford Street burst watermain, the cyber security incident, and the Falkirk House fire. Business continuity planning, ensuring the council can deliver critical services during disruption, and incident communications, designed to share timely and accurate information with various stakeholders, were also on the agenda.

Looking Ahead: Pimlico District Heating Undertaking Programme Task Group

The committee was scheduled to receive a progress update from the Looking Ahead: Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU) Programme Task Group. This task group was established to investigate the key principles underpinning the successful delivery of the PDHU programme, including decommissioning, to inform decisions by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration. The focus was on engagement, the deliverability of future options, and the transparency of decision-making. The report was to outline the task group's evidence-gathering sessions, which included briefings on the programme's history, options appraisal, legal responsibilities, financial assumptions, and stakeholder engagement. The task group had also met with leaseholders and tenants to gather their evidence and concerns. Further planned meetings included discussions with external experts on flexibility for different technologies, organisations specialising in engaging hard-to-reach stakeholders, and financial experts. The task group was expected to develop recommendations for submission to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Councillor David Harvey, with a final report due to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December 2026.

Chief Executive Officer's Update

The committee was scheduled to receive and consider a written update from the Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Love. This update was expected to cover the council's strategic and financial context, including the reduction in government grant funding and significant financial pressures. It was also to detail the Fit for the Future programme, the council's approach to transforming service delivery in response to financial, demographic, and service challenges. The update was to include information on organisational performance, workforce, and inclusion, highlighting progress in employee engagement and representation. The development of a new Corporate Strategy, bringing together priorities, service delivery, and resource allocation, was also to be discussed, along with progress on the First 100 Days Programme and specific initiatives such as the Oxford Street development and tackling illegal subletting.

Policy and Scrutiny Committee Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive verbal updates from the Chairs of the various Policy and Scrutiny Committees. These updates would provide an overview of the work undertaken by each committee, including key discussions, recommendations made, and any significant findings. This would allow the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to maintain an oversight of the broader scrutiny function across the council.