Here's a summary of the Westminster Council Cabinet meeting:

The Cabinet of Westminster City Council convened to discuss key issues including the future of the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking, the Church Street regeneration project, and a response to a petition concerning Oxford Street. Decisions were made regarding the progression of business cases for the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking, approval of the Church Street Site A Full Business Case, and proceeding with advertising requirements for the Cavendish Square Gardens and Car Park project.

Future of Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU)

Cabinet approved a shortlist of options for the future of the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU), moving them to the Full Outline Business Case (OBC) stage. The shortlist includes:

• Do minimum - pipework replacement
• Centralised River Source Heat Pump (RSHP) and Gas Boiler (GB) in Churchill Gardens
• Centralised River Source Heat Pump (RSHP) and Electric Boiler (EB) in Churchill Gardens
• Cory Mobile Heat Batteries (MHB)
• Direct Electric (DE) Variation 3: Storage Heaters and Direct Cylinders

A further report will be presented to the Cabinet seeking approval of the OBC, the preferred option, and any necessary funding for the Full Business Case.

The PDHU is one of the oldest and largest district heating systems in England, providing heat to over 3,000 homes and 30 commercial premises in the Pimlico area¹. Much of the PDHU pipework is significantly beyond its original design life, leading to leaks and expensive repairs. The aims of the Future of PDHU Programme are to improve customer experience by delivering affordable and reliable heating and hot water, reducing leaks and repairs, and allowing customers more control over their heating costs.

The shortlisted options were chosen based on a range of Critical Success Factors (CSFs), including affordability for residents (40%), disruption to residents (15%), deliverability (17%), strategic alignment (10%), operational resilience (8%), and environmental impact (10%). Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of the Council noted that there is:

a strong strategic case for renewal or replacement of PDHU as part of Westminster City Council's commitment to delivering a reliable and affordable heating solution for all Westminster residents.

The best performing Direct Electric option was included to ensure a non-network option is explored further.

Church Street Site A - Full Business Case

Cabinet approved the Full Business Case for Church Street Site A, endorsing its delivery by the JV LLP (joint venture limited liability partnership). The approval includes expenditure from both the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the General Fund:

• From the HRA: up to £84.100m in Residual Land Value payment and up to £17.844m for Social Rent Home Package Price payments.
• From the General Fund: up to £20.000m in equity and up to £6.208m for Intermediate Rent Homes Package Price payments, which will be transferred to Westminster Builds when complete.

The Church Street Site A development aims to deliver 430 new homes, a new library, increased public space and play areas, and new commercial units. The development is set to deliver an increase of new affordable homes (over 50% increase on the previous estate), which will include new family sized homes.

The proposed development will contribute to the Council's commitment to a Fairer Westminster, focusing on fairer housing, a fairer economy, a fairer environment, fairer communities, and a fairer council.

Cavendish Square Gardens and Cavendish Square Car Park

Cabinet approved proceeding with the advertising requirements related to the Cavendish Square Gardens and Cavendish Square Car Park, giving notice of the intended appropriation of the Property and disposals of parts of the Property.

The council is proposing to dispose to Reef part of the Council’s freehold estate of land which includes the Car Park; and grant to Reef of a short occupational lease (no more than 7 years) of Cavendish Square Gardens to enable the redevelopment and improvement works to be carried out.

The Council is proposing to dispose to Reef part of the Council’s freehold estate of land which includes the Car Park; and grant to Reef of a short occupational lease (no more than 7 years) of Cavendish Square Gardens to enable the redevelopment and improvement works to be carried out.

The proposed transaction would generate a significant capital receipt of £42m for the Council and provide an improved risk balance to the commercial property portfolio. The redevelopment will create significant employment and support Westminster City Council's City Plan and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Response to Petition (Oxford Street)

Cabinet noted the current position regarding Oxford Street proposals and recent developments.

Cabinet confirmed that no further action would be taken in response to the petition. The council believes that a number of commitments from the Greater London Authority (GLA) have already been achieved as part of the transformation of Oxford Street that will address concerns of residents. The Council is not aware of any current basis to enable a judicial review challenge to be made which would have any chance of success. The proposals will continue to be monitored to ensure that due regard is paid by the Mayor and the GLA to the issues which the Council has raised in its consultation response.