The Leadership Team of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Wednesday 09 July 2025. The meeting was scheduled to discuss the Council's response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, its financial outturn for the 2024/25 year, and its Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2029/30. Other key items on the agenda included the Housing Management Performance for Quarter 4 of 2024/25 and the proposed Housing Strategy for 2025-2030. The team was also set to consider a license agreement for advertising digital boards at 106 Cheyne Walk.

Update on the Council's Response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the Council's progress in implementing the 45 commitments made in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report. The report was to outline progress made, key risks and issues, and proposed responses to feedback from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Plans for the next six months, including further communications and community engagement on progress, were also to be noted.

Final Outturn (Quarter 4) Revenue and Capital Financial Monitoring Report – 2024/25

This report was set to detail the financial outturn position at the end of the 2024/25 financial year. For the General Fund revenue budget, an underspend of £5.207 million was anticipated, comprising £3.472 million across service budgets and £1.735 million on statutory and corporate budgets. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was expected to show a transfer of £2.731 million to the capital programme, against a budgeted transfer of £3.161 million. The General Fund Capital Programme was projected to have an underspend of £17.825 million, and the HRA Capital Programme an underspend of £14.562 million. The report was also to cover Section 106 (S106) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) positions, schools and education funding, savings delivery, and reserves.

Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30

This strategy was scheduled to present the four-year outlook for both revenue and capital income and spending. It aimed to provide the framework for ensuring a balanced budget for 2026/27 and over the medium term. The report was to highlight the estimated budget gap of up to £41 million in 2026/27 and £118 million over the next four years, largely due to the anticipated adverse impact of government funding reforms. The report was also to outline the developing Transformation and Savings programme, designed to address this budget gap. The Council's Capital Strategy was to be included as an appendix.

Housing Management Performance Reporting – Q4 2024/2025

This report was intended to provide an overview of the Housing Management department's performance in Q4 2024/2025, covering key performance indicators across compliance, responsive repairs, estate services, anti-social behaviour, safeguarding, domestic abuse, complaints, contact centre performance, rent arrears, fraud, lettings, void properties, and Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs).

Housing Strategy 2025-2030

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the new Housing Strategy, which sets out the Council's vision and priorities for housing in Kensington and Chelsea over the next five years. The Strategy aims to embed learning from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, provide safe and modern homes, and promote a diverse supply of housing. It is based on three key priorities: providing a diverse supply of housing, ensuring homes are safe and meet the Decent Homes Standard, and delivering exemplary housing and landlord services. The report was to include details of the consultation process undertaken and changes made to the Strategy based on feedback.

License Agreement with London Lites Ltd

The meeting was scheduled to consider a proposal to grant a new licence to London Lites Ltd for an advertising structure at 106 Cheyne Walk. This site has been commercially leased for decades, but the current agreement has been underperforming. The proposal aimed to replace existing banners with digital advertising boards, offering potential for increased revenue and environmental benefits through green wall structures. The report was to outline the procurement process, financial implications, and legal considerations.

Treasury Management Outturn Report 2024/25

This report was to summarise the Council's treasury management activities for the year 2024/25, in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice. It was to cover the treasury position as at 31 March 2025, the outcome of the borrowing and investment strategies, compliance with treasury limits and Prudential Indicators, and the investment strategy for the year. The report noted a weighted average yield of 4.67% on the cash investment portfolio and a weighted average interest rate of 4.13% on the debt portfolio.

The meeting also included a 72-second silence to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell tragedy. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest were also scheduled items.