The Full Council of Hammersmith & Fulham met on Wednesday 28 January 2026, approving the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27 and the Council Tax base and collection rate for the same year. The meeting also saw the adoption of several special motions, including one celebrating Black History Month and another on strengthening public safety through CCTV investment.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27

The Council approved the continuation of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27, maintaining 100% support for residents on the lowest incomes. This scheme represents a £10.27 million investment by the council. An additional 25% discount will be provided for veterans. The scheme will reflect annual upratings of allowances and applicable amounts as advised by the Department for Work and Pensions. The council's ethical debt policy, designed to balance financial responsibility with compassion, will continue to be applied in Council Tax collection.

Council Tax Base and Collection Rate 2026/27 and Delegation of the Business Rate Estimate

Full Council approved the Council Tax base for 2026/27 at 91,726 Band D equivalent properties, an increase of 3,422 from the previous year. This is attributed to an increase in new properties, a rise in the collection rate from 97% to 98%, and the introduction of premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties. The council also noted the estimated numbers of properties for each Valuation Band and approved an estimated collection rate of 98.0%. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Finance and Corporate Services to determine the business rates tax base for 2026/27. The report highlighted that the council's ethical debt policy ensures recovery practices are fair and sensitive to individual circumstances, supporting vulnerable residents.

Council Calendar of Meetings 2026/27

The Council approved the 2026/27 Council calendar of meetings. This report aligns with the council's value of Doing things with local residents, not to them by ensuring public meetings allow residents to exercise their democratic rights and contribute to scrutiny.

Review of the Constitution

The Council noted changes to committee memberships, including Councillor Alex Karmel replacing Councillor Jackie Borland on the Planning and Development Control Committee, and Councillor Jackie Borland replacing Councillor Jose Afonso on the Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Accountability Committee. These changes were authorised by the Chief Executive on 29 October 2025. The Monitoring Officer's annual review confirmed that the Council's Constitution continues to fulfil its stated purposes.

Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2024/25

The Council noted the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year. The report highlighted the committee's robust scrutiny of the council's governance and financial reporting. Key activities included reviewing the Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud service delivery models, noting the highest rating achieved in the External Quality Assessment of the Internal Audit service. The committee also reviewed the Strategic and Annual Audit Plans, received updates on internal audits, and noted the positive assurance from the External Auditor regarding the council's strong control environment and the excellent quality of its accounts. The report also detailed the committee's work on risk management, fraud updates, and the review of the Treasury Management activity. An Independent Member was appointed to the committee for a fixed term of three years.

Special Motions

Several special motions were discussed and passed:

• Special Motion 1 - Celebrating Black History Month 2025 in Hammersmith & Fulham: This motion celebrated the national theme Standing Firm in Power and Pride and resolved to promote and support Black History Month events, work with schools and cultural partners to embed Black history in curricula, and celebrate local Black leaders and organisations.
• Special Motion 2 - Opposing Online Hate Speech: The Council condemned all forms of hate speech and reaffirmed its commitment to building unity and understanding, noting the role of councillors as trusted leaders and stating there is no excuse for liking or sharing hate-inciting material.
• Special Motion 3 - Autumn Budget: This motion expressed disappointment with the Labour Government's Autumn Budget, arguing it unfairly penalised residents of Hammersmith and Fulham through measures such as a mansion tax, removal of the council tax referendum safeguard, changes to National Insurance contributions, increased taxes on property and savings, and new charges for electric vehicle owners.
• Special Motion 4 - Civic Campus: The Council called on the Administration to provide full details on the overspending and delays related to the Civic Campus.
• Special Motion 5 - H&F Upstream Pathway Bond: The Council welcomed the H&F Upstream Pathway Bond, pioneered by the Labour Administration as part of the Upstream London industrial strategy. The motion highlighted the bond's success in attracting business investment, creating jobs, and fostering collaboration between education, skills development, and local employment opportunities for young residents.
• Special Motion 6 - Anniversary of Family Hubs: The Council celebrated the second anniversary of Hammersmith & Fulham's Family Hubs, commending the staff, volunteers, and partner organisations for their work in providing free support and activities for families. The motion reaffirmed the administration's commitment to these services, contrasting them with national and local Conservative policies on Sure Start centres and community centres.
• Special Motion 7 - H&F Green Investment: The Council commended the successful £5 million H&F Green Investment initiative, described as a pioneering Community Municipal Investment empowering residents to invest in cleaner, greener projects. The motion welcomed the transparency, fiscal responsibility, and climate ambition of the bonds, which deliver tangible benefits such as improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

Public Questions

Residents submitted questions on various topics, including:

• The council's approach to the Supreme Court judgement on sex in the Equality Act 2010 and potential changes to council services.
• Ensuring safeguarding of children in schools and the council's response to severe safeguarding concerns.
• Criteria for introducing 'eco' road user charging.
• The effectiveness of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and recommendations for private hire vehicle usage.
• Concerns about parklets on Wandsworth Bridge Road and their removal.
• Resident involvement in future changes to Wandsworth Bridge Road following LTN imposition.
• The timeline for a new app for businesses to register customers for camera access.
• Plans to modernise and improve Shepherd's Bush Market Station in collaboration with TfL.
• Actions to improve Uxbridge Road visually and in terms of accessibility.
• Funding and alternative plans for bilingual education at Fulham Bilingual school should the partnership with Lycée Charles de Gaulle end.
• The council's investment in the Law Enforcement Team versus additional police officers.
• The reasons behind the Lycée Charles de Gaulle's potential withdrawal from the Fulham Bilingual partnership and hurdles to its continuation.
• The council's support for preserving the Holy Cross/Lycée Partnership at Fulham Bilingual School and concrete financial measures to sustain bilingual studies.
• The council's steps to influence the Lycée Charles de Gaulle and French authorities to continue the Fulham Bilingual partnership.
• The borough's potential help in maintaining the Fulham Bilingual partnership or establishing a new public bilingual stream.
• The council's plans to improve Uxbridge Road visually, accessibly, and from an accessibility perspective within the next month and three months.
• The council's commitment to funding bilingual education at the Clancarty Road site if the Fulham Bilingual partnership dissolves.
• The council's actions to preserve the Holy Cross/Lycée Partnership at Fulham Bilingual School and concrete financial measures to preserve bilingual studies.
• The council's steps to ensure funding for bilingual schooling on Clancarty Road if the Fulham Bilingual partnership agreement dissolves.
• The council's commitment to funding Holy Cross to sustain bilingual provision at Fulham Bilingual, regardless of the Lycée's decision.
• The council's support for Fulham Bilingual school to maintain the partnership or create a Holy Cross bilingual curriculum, including potential rent and VAT adjustments for the Lycée.
• The main pain points for the Lycée Charles de Gaulle wanting to discontinue the partnership with Holy Cross and the hurdles for Holy Cross/the council to continue it, and how parents can help.

The meeting also included discussions on the Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27, the Council Tax Base and Collection Rate 2026/27, the Council Calendar of Meetings 2026/27, the Review of the Constitution, and the Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2024/25.