The General Purposes Committee of Westminster Council met on Wednesday 22 October 2025, approving compensation payments for service failures and agreeing to delegate functions related to the London Squares Preservation Act 1931. The committee also reviewed and approved the programme of meetings for the 2026/2027 municipal year.

Compensation Payments Approved

The committee approved compensation payments totalling £66,250 to 19 service users who had experienced extended stays in unsuitable non-self-contained accommodation, primarily hotels and bed and breakfasts, for longer than the statutory six-week limit. These payments are a direct result of formal complaints and are in line with guidance from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, which typically recommends between £100 and £200 per week for such prolonged stays. The report highlighted the significant increase in homelessness applications to Westminster Council, rising by 102% over three years, leading to an unprecedented demand for temporary accommodation (TA). This has necessitated the increased use of hotels and B&Bs, with over 4,400 households in TA in September 2025. The council is actively working to reduce reliance on such accommodation through an acquisition programme and by reshaping its Housing Solutions Service.

Additionally, a separate compensation payment of £2,350 was approved following a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation into failures within Children's Services. This case involved a child with an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who experienced a loss of educational provision due to delays in the council receiving the EHCP and a breakdown in communication. The compensation covers the period the child missed educational provision and acknowledges the distress caused. The council has committed to reviewing its processes to prevent recurrence.

Delegation of Functions Under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931

The committee recommended to the Council the formal delegation of functions under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931[^1] and other Local Acts related to planning and building control to the Strategic Planning Committee and its two Planning Sub-Committees. This decision aims to formalise existing practices and ensure that these committees have the clear authority to make decisions on applications and, crucially, to take enforcement action under the 1931 Act. The report noted that while the terms of reference for the planning committees already included functions under the Act, the formal delegation within the Council's Constitution's Schedule of Local Choice Functions was absent. This change will clarify responsibilities and ensure robust oversight of Westminster's protected squares.

Programme of Meetings 2026/2027 Approved

The committee reviewed and approved the proposed programme of meetings for the 2026/2027 municipal year. The programme aims to maintain the regularity and scheduling of meetings from previous years, taking into account major religious holidays and school holidays where possible, although the volume of work, particularly in planning and licensing, often necessitates compacting meetings. The proposed schedule includes dates for Full Council meetings, Cabinet meetings, and various policy and scrutiny committees, aiming for a consistent approach to council business. Councillors discussed the challenges of scheduling, particularly the pressure on Thursday evenings due to licensing meetings that can extend throughout the day, and the desire to avoid clashes with other commitments. The programme was circulated to Party Whips for comment.