The Residents' Services Select Committee meeting scheduled for 08 January 2026 was set to cover a range of important council operations, including financial performance, budget proposals, and progress on key service areas. Discussions were planned on the council's monthly budget and spend, the proposed budget for the upcoming financial year, and a review of overall performance. Additionally, the committee was scheduled to examine specific service areas such as parking enforcement, climate change initiatives, and flood investigations.

Monthly Budget and Spend Report

The committee was scheduled to review the council's financial position as of October 2025 (Month 7). The report indicated a projected net overspend of £36.0 million on core operating activities, with significant pressures identified in service operating budgets (£26.8m), the use of reserves (£4.2m), and centralised corporate budgets (£6.5m). These pressures were partially offset by £1.5m in interventions aimed at delivering savings. Within the remit of the Residents' Services Select Committee, a projected overspend of £7.8m was noted, with the Place directorate showing an adverse movement of £0.03m and Homes and Communities projecting an overspend of £8.5m, largely attributed to homelessness support pressures. Savings targets for the committee's services amounted to £11.7m, with 48% banked or on track, 30% amber (in delivery but potentially not fully delivered this year), 16% red (facing delivery challenges), and 6% considered undeliverable. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was forecasting a breakeven position, with a projected closing balance of £15.0m.^[1]

Cabinet Budget Proposals 2026/27

The committee was set to consider the draft revenue budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31 concerning services within its remit. For services under the committee's purview, a net budget change of £15.8m was proposed for 2026/27, reducing to £14.0m by 2028/29. This was to be driven by savings proposals totalling £14.0m in 2026/27 and growth proposals of £29.9m. The report detailed line-by-line savings proposals, including significant contributions from Environment (£4.561m), Housing (£7.128m), and Planning, Regeneration and Environment (£0.194m). Growth proposals were also outlined, with substantial figures for Housing (£21.515m) and Environment (£4.953m). The proposals also included a 10% increase on discretionary fees and charges where appropriate.^[2] The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget strategy for 2026/27 projected total resources of £89.9m, rising to £108.0m by 2030/31, with these resources to be invested in tenancy management, maintenance, and housing acquisitions/development.^[3]

Six Month Performance Monitoring Report

The committee was to review the six-month performance report for 2025/26, which monitors expenditure against key performance indicators. The report highlighted that Hillingdon had the 4th lowest net expenditure in London per 100,000 residents, despite unique pressures related to Heathrow Airport. Resident Services showed the 8th lowest expenditure for housing and homelessness, achieving a C2 grade from the Regulator of Social Housing. While temporary accommodation figures were lower than some high-pressure boroughs, rough sleeping rates were the highest among comparators. The Housing Landlord Service demonstrated strong performance in gas safety compliance and re-let times, though tenant satisfaction remained below the England average. Highways and planning services were noted for meeting major planning application target timescales, but EV charging availability was below London averages.^[4][5]

Parking Enforcement

A report was scheduled to provide background information on the Council's Parking Enforcement Service, including the contract with APCOA. The report detailed the scope of the contract, which covers enforcement of parking controls, CCTV enforcement for bus lanes and moving traffic contraventions, parking suspensions, and permit services. It highlighted the number of Code Red incidents involving abuse against Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) and the total number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued by CEOs and CCTV since the contract began. The report also covered initiatives such as an ANPR enforcement vehicle, agile deployment strategies, school deployment, and additional enforcement at Ruislip Lido. Other APCOA initiatives, including parcel lockers and EV charging points, were also to be discussed, alongside Blue Badge enforcement and the use of wearable air quality monitors for CEOs.^[6]

Climate Change Progress Report

The committee was to receive an update on the progress of the Strategic Climate Action Plan, following the Council's declaration of a climate emergency in 2020 and commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The report covered work undertaken in 2024/25 and presented the latest carbon data. It indicated a reduction in the corporate carbon footprint from 6428 tCO2 in 2019/20 to 3949 tCO2 in 2024/25. Significant carbon reduction at Uxbridge Civic Centre was noted, with emissions decreasing by approximately 34%. Fleet emissions monitoring and reporting systems were being established, and carbon offsetting through non-operational assets like leisure centres was being pursued via the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). The report also detailed carbon sequestration figures, highlighting that Hillingdon's tree canopy cover (20.7% overall, 32.4% on Council land) sequesters approximately 7,342 tonnes of CO₂ annually, exceeding the Council's operational footprint.^[7][8]

Section 19 Flood Investigation

The committee was scheduled to review the findings of a Section 19 flood investigation into the significant rainfall event of 22–23 September 2024. The investigation identified 172 flood incidents, primarily in Ickenham and Ruislip, and analysed the sources and causes of flooding, the roles and responses of Risk Management Authorities (RMAs), and provided recommendations to reduce future risk. Key findings included issues with detention basins in Bessingby Park, sewer surcharging due to high river levels, and potential misconnections. Recommendations included targeted drainage improvements, the establishment of Flood Action Groups (FLAGs), collaboration with the Environment Agency (EA) and Thames Water Utilities Limited (TWUL), and advice for residents to consider Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures.^[9]

Forward Plan

The committee was to note the Cabinet's latest Forward Plan, which outlines key decisions and other decisions to be taken by the Cabinet and Cabinet Members. The Forward Plan detailed upcoming reports and decisions relevant to the committee's remit, including the Biannual Performance Report, Infrastructure Funding Statement, Statement of Licensing Policy, and the 2026/27 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.^[10]

Work Programme

The committee was to consider and agree any amendments to its work programme for the municipal year. This included noting forthcoming meeting dates and planned site visits, such as to leisure centres, Heathrow Skills Academy, and the CCTV room.^[11]