Ealing Council's cabinet convened to discuss a range of issues, including approving an Affordable Workspace Delivery Plan, renewing a lease for temporary accommodation, and moving forward with a Business Improvement District ballot. Additionally, the cabinet addressed the awarding of a contract for housing capital improvements and the procurement of a new contract for rough sleeping services.

Rough Sleeping Services Contract

The cabinet agreed to procure a new contract for the provision of a Rough Sleeping Service for a period of 3 years, and delegated authority to the Strategic Director Housing and Environment to award the contract. They also agreed to formalise the existing arrangement by directly awarding an interim contract to St Mungo's for the provision of a Rough Sleeping Service until 30 September 2027.

The council is required to provide these services due to changes introduced in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which requires councils to significantly increase the work to prevent or relieve homelessness for single people not found to be in priority need. Councillor Peter Mason, Leader of the Council, and his cabinet considered a number of reasons for their decision:

• Ealing has the highest number of rough sleepers in West London.
• A detailed review of service requirements, procurement options, and commissioning strategy would be undertaken during the interim contract period.
• The Rough Sleeping Strategy supports the council's goals around inequality, public health, and inclusive economic growth.

The cabinet also considered, but rejected, bringing the service in-house due to a lack of infrastructure, availability of trained staff, and the urgency of the need.

North Acton Business Improvement District Ballot

The cabinet requested that the Returning Officer make arrangements to hold Business Improvement District (BID) Ballots in relation to the North Acton BID Proposals. The final day of the first ballot, for the occupier BID, is scheduled for 18 February 2026, and the final day of the second ballot, for the property owner BID, is scheduled for 19 February 2026. They also delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Economy and Sustainability to finalise a Baseline Agreement for the Provision of Standard Services and an Operating Agreement with the BID Company regarding the operation of the BID, if the outcome of the BID ballots were in favour of the North Acton BID.

The council is obliged to support the establishment of a BID once a formal BID proposal has been received. The cabinet considered that not supporting the BID proposals would risk:

i. Losing approximately £640,000 per annum over five years (totalling £3.19m) to be raised from the BID levy and further in-kind support to be used by the BID Company. This would negatively impact businesses and residents within the BID area.

ii. Reducing the potential to attract and leverage inward investment from the public and private sector over the next five years.

iii. Reducing the potential to deliver Ealing's Jobs & Skills Strategy, and catalyse WestTech London in the borough

iv. Negatively affecting business relationships and engagement, limiting opportunities for partnership working.

v. Limiting opportunities to improve the area during a challenging period for businesses and the local economy in general.

Councillor Julian Gallant addressed the Cabinet with regard to this item.

Housing Capital M&E Tender Award

The cabinet approved the award of the contract for an initial term of five years with the option to extend by up to a further five years to Axis Europe and W.G. Wiggingtons to deliver the M&E improvement work programmes and delegates authority to the Strategic Director Housing and Environment to exercise the extension options.

The programme is necessary due to the ageing condition profile of MEP services¹ within HRBs², and lower-level blocks originally built in the 1960s. The proposed contract would set out performance KPIs³ in addition to the council's requirements.

Churchfield Road Temporary Accommodation Lease Renewal

The cabinet agreed to enter into a lease at 61-63 Churchfield Road, Acton, London, W3 6AY for a period of 10 years plus 1 day for the provision of temporary accommodation.

The council has a statutory obligation to provide housing to homeless households where they have accepted either a prevention, relief or main duty. The proposal involves leasing 20 units that offer communal kitchen, with a mixture of individual enclosed wash facilities as well as shared facilities.

The council negotiated terms with the landlord with support from the council's valuer, and the final terms were certified by the valuer to be the best reasonable in the circumstance.

Affordable Workspace Strategy

The cabinet approved the Affordable Workspace Delivery Plan attached at Appendix A to the report. The Delivery Plan sets out the council's intent, direction and guidance to developers, workspace providers, other relevant stakeholder partners to maximise the delivery of affordable workspace in the borough and support the robust implementation of the New Local Plan's affordable workspace policy.

The cabinet considered that without a Delivery Plan the council would rely solely on the planning policy and its application on a case-by-case basis, which would not be sufficient to increase the supply of affordable workspace.

Council Plan Performance Report Quarter 1 2025/26

The cabinet noted the contents of the Council Plan Performance Report Q1 2025-26. Councillor Gary Malcom and Councillor Julian Gallant addressed the Cabinet with regard to this item.