The Cabinet of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Monday 13 April 2026, approving the extension of the integrated substance misuse service contract and reviewing the council's revenue budget. The meeting also covered updates on the council's companies and limited liability partnerships, and a review of the capital programme.

Extension of Integrated Substance Misuse Service Contract

The Cabinet approved the extension of the contract with Turning Point for the borough's integrated substance misuse service for a further two years, until March 2028. This extension, valued at £5,850,000, will be funded from the ringfenced Public Health Grant. The service is described as a key element in delivering the council's local Drug Strategy, focusing on prevention, recovery, and enforcement. The report highlighted that the provider is meeting performance expectations and that the service has seen a 22% increase in people accessing treatment since the contract began three years ago. The extension will allow for a stronger focus on primary prevention and a whole system approach, partnering with various local agencies.

Revenue Budget Review 2025/26

Councillor Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, presented the Revenue Budget Review for 2025/26, based on data from month 10 (January 2026). The review indicated a net forecast overspend on the General Fund of £1.866 million, which is less than 1% of the council's net budget. This overspend is attributed to pressures in adult social care, temporary accommodation, and children's services, exacerbated by increasing demand, an ageing population, and high interest rates. Mitigations and action plans are in place to reduce this forecast.

A balanced Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget was set for 2025/26. However, an in-year pressure of £2.395 million is forecast, primarily due to a backlog of disrepair claims and decanting costs. Mitigations are being implemented to manage this projected pressure, and the HRA is forecast to remain balanced at the end of the year.

Discussions also touched upon the garden waste savings, which have not fully materialised as hoped, with fewer than 10,000 households subscribing to the service. The council is committed to environmentalism and recycling, and the service is achieving its recycling targets, though not its revenue targets. The issue of waste collection consistency was also raised, with assurances that individual cases would be investigated.

Concerns were raised about variances in parking revenue, attributed to issues with cameras and a high degree of fraud involving fake number plates. The council is addressing these issues with new technology and a strict approach to enforcement.

The report also noted pressures on the High Needs Block for Dedicated Schools Grant, with a forecast deficit of £6.2 million. The government's High Needs National Funding Formula for 2026/27 is currently suspended pending the Schools White Paper.

Capital Programme Monitor and Budget Variations 2025/26 (Quarter 3)

The Cabinet reviewed the Capital Programme Monitor for 2025/26, noting a forecast expenditure of £220.8 million for the year, a decrease of £45 million from the revised budget at Quarter 2. The report sought approval for an additional investment of £3.7 million across the four-year programme, bringing the total to £657.776 million.

Key areas of spend include £70.2 million for housing and regeneration projects, £24.3 million for the refurbishment of Hammersmith Town Hall, and £13.4 million for fire safety programmes. The Civic Campus development, which aims to rejuvenate a significant part of the borough, is also continuing.

Risks identified include potential shortfalls in capital receipts from housing development sales and changes to Right to Buy funding. The report also highlighted ongoing work at the Civic Campus, with the Health & Safety Executive report on a site incident still awaited. Cost inflation and interest rates were also noted as risks to the capital programme.

LBHF Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships Update

An update was provided on the status of the council's companies and limited liability partnerships. The Cabinet noted the current positions and agreed to the closure of LBHF Ventures Ltd, which is not actively in use and incurs running costs. The council has three active limited companies, one dormant, and is part of two joint ventures. The report emphasised the council's role as a shareholder or joint venture partner, enhancing transparency and oversight.

Key Decisions List

The Cabinet noted the Key Decisions List for April 2026, which outlines upcoming decisions on a range of matters including the Capital Programme, the extension of the Integrated Substance Misuse Service contract, updates on LBHF Companies and LLPs, and the Revenue Budget Review. Future key decisions also include the Housing Strategy 2026-31, Asset Management Strategy, and various procurement and contract award decisions across different council departments.