The Hillingdon Council Cabinet met on Thursday, 19 February 2026, to discuss and approve a range of significant financial and service-related proposals. Key decisions included the recommendation of the 2026/27 budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy to Full Council, which involves a 4.99% Council Tax increase and the use of £62 million in Exceptional Financial Support. The Cabinet also agreed to implement a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to improve housing standards and tackle anti-social behaviour.

Budget and Financial Strategy

The Cabinet approved recommendations for the 2026/27 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue budgets and Capital Programme, along with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) through to 2028/29. A key element of the budget is the proposed use of up to £62 million in Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to balance the 2026/27 budget. This support is crucial given the Council's projected budget gap, exacerbated by historical underfunding and the phased implementation of the Fair Funding Review.

Council Tax is set to increase by 4.99% for 2026/27, which includes a 2.00% Adult Social Care precept. This will result in a Band D property charge of £1,534.95. The Cabinet also approved the flexible use of £2.733 million of capital receipts to fund efficiency savings, including redundancy costs, and endorsed the Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Investment Strategy, and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2025/26 to 2030/31.

HRA rents are proposed to increase by 4.8% (CPI +1%) from April 2026, in line with national policy. Tenant service charges will be varied according to estimated actual costs. A drawdown of £8.2 million from Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) reserves is budgeted for 2026/27. Cabinet will be delegated authority to manage reserves and virements between budgets during the MTFS period.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) - Additional Licensing

Following extensive consultation, the Cabinet agreed to implement a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for HMOs for a period of five years. This decision, enacted under Section 56 of the Housing Act 2004, aims to improve housing conditions, tackle anti-social behaviour, and ensure landlords meet minimum standards. The scheme will be implemented with a compliance deadline of 23 August 2026, with enforcement beginning on 24 August 2026. The Cabinet also agreed to the proposed additional licensing conditions and a schedule of fees, which are designed for full cost recovery.

Schools Budget and Admissions

The Cabinet approved the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budgets for 2026/27, including the primary and secondary schools block funding formula. The Early Years Funding Formula allocation is noted, with consultation ongoing. The High Needs Block budget for 2026/27 includes a 0.5% Schools Block Transfer, approved through a disapplication process by the Secretary of State. To ensure schools are formally notified of their budgets by the statutory deadline, the scrutiny call-in period was requested to be waived.

Additionally, the Cabinet agreed to reduce the Published Admissions Number (PAN) for Field End Infant School from 90 to 60, effective from September 2027. This aligns the infant school with the junior school's two-form entry model. The Council also supports similar PAN reductions at Field End Junior School (from 90 to 60), St Martin's Church of England Primary School (from 60 to 30), and Park Academy West London (from 180 to 150), all taking effect from September 2027, reflecting falling pupil numbers across London.

Community Safety Strategy

The Cabinet endorsed and recommended the Safer Hillingdon Partnership Community Safety Strategy 2026-2029 to Full Council for adoption. This strategy, shaped by a strategic needs assessment and public consultation, outlines four key priorities: creating safer neighbourhoods, tackling violence against women and girls, reducing serious violence, and preventing harm through early intervention and safeguarding. The strategy aims to address residents' concerns about burglary, drug dealing, knife crime, and anti-social behaviour, while also responding to emerging risks such as hate crime and online radicalisation.

Property and Contracts

The Cabinet approved the statutory transfer of freehold land and the former caretaker's house at Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, Northwood, to the London Diocesan Board for Schools. This transfer will enable the school to expand its nursery provision.

In terms of contracts, the Cabinet accepted a direct award to O'Hara Bros Surfacing Limited for a three-month period for Highways Term Services, ensuring service continuity. A new seven-year contract, with a potential five-year extension, was awarded to J McCann & Co Limited for Street Lighting Term Services, including installation, maintenance, and testing works.

The Cabinet also approved the acceptance of grant funding from various sources: £155k from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) for prevention activity for children at risk of school suspension and exclusion; £149,560 from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for improving outcomes for service children and strengthening school support models; £16k from the Department for Education (DfE) for mentoring provision for Early Career Teachers; £242k from NHS England via the ICB for the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme; and £677,948 from the DfE to support the implementation of the Staying Close initiative.

Other Decisions

The Cabinet approved writing off £286,541.92 in irrecoverable Non-domestic Rates debt. They also noted reports to be considered in private.