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 revenue and capital budgets for the 2025-26 financial year. The meeting also included an update on the council's companies and limited liability partnerships, with a decision made to close one of these entities.

Extension of Integrated Substance Misuse Service Contract

The council has approved the extension of its contract with Turning Point for the integrated substance misuse service for a further two years, until March 2028. This extension, valued at £5.85 million, will continue to provide drug, alcohol, and smoking cessation support to residents. The service is a key component of the borough's local Drug Strategy, aiming to reduce drug supply chains, improve treatment and recovery systems, and decrease drug demand. The report highlighted the service's strong performance, exceeding national averages in treatment completion and retention rates, and achieving micro-elimination of hepatitis C among its treatment population. Future priorities include building on prevention and recovery initiatives, developing specialist support for vulnerable groups, and enhancing data systems to evidence improved outcomes. The service is funded through the ringfenced Public Health Grant.

Revenue Budget Review 2025-26 (Month 10)

The council's revenue budget for 2025-26 is facing a projected £1.866 million overspend, which represents less than 1% of the total net budget. This pressure is attributed to challenging macro-economic conditions and increased demand for services, particularly in adult social care, temporary accommodation, and children's services. Mitigations are being implemented across departments to reduce this forecast.

The People Directorate faces significant pressures, with children's services showing a £7.783 million variance, largely due to increased costs for looked-after children and care leavers' placements, and additional high-needs support packages. Adult social care also shows a £5.899 million variance, primarily driven by increased costs for supported living placements and direct payments for residents with complex needs. The Dedicated Schools Grant faces a projected deficit of £6.2 million in the High Needs Block.

The Place Directorate has a £1.638 million variance, with pressures in waste collection and street cleaning due to contractual inflation, and a shortfall in anticipated savings from the garden waste service. Parking revenue has also seen a variance of £1.384 million.

Housing Solutions reports a £3.135 million variance, largely due to increased use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for temporary housing, with an average of 452 clients forecast against a budget of 200.

Finance and Corporate Services has a £0.089 million variance, with additional costs related to a cyber security incident and pressures in resident services due to increased demand and delayed savings.

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is forecasting a balanced budget for 2025-26, despite an in-year pressure of £2.395 million. This pressure is mainly due to a backlog of disrepair claims and associated works, as well as decanting costs. Mitigations are in place to manage this projected pressure.

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

The council's capital programme for 2025/26 is forecast to spend £220.8 million, a decrease of £44.5 million from the revised budget at Quarter 2. This reduction is due to slippages and accelerations in project delivery timelines. The report also seeks approval for an additional investment of £3.7 million across the four-year programme, funded through new borrowing. The updated four-year capital programme (2025-2029) now stands at £657.776 million.

Key areas of investment within the 2025/26 budget 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. Significant investment is also allocated to planned maintenance schemes, bringing void housing units back into service, and the acquisition of affordable housing units. The Civic Campus development continues, aiming to regenerate a key part of the borough.

The report highlights several risks to the capital programme, including potential shortfalls in capital receipts from housing development sales and Right to Buy purchases due to economic uncertainty. The Civic Campus regeneration project is also subject to delays pending an HSE report on a site incident. Persistent cost inflation and higher interest rates pose ongoing financial risks to the programme.

LBHF Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships Update

The council provided an update on its various companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). It was recommended and approved that LBHF Ventures Ltd be closed due to it being dormant and no longer serving a purpose, saving on associated running costs. The council currently has three active limited companies, one dormant company, and is part of two joint ventures.

Other Discussions

The Cabinet also noted the minutes of the previous meeting and the key decisions list for April 2026. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Borough, thanked officials and cabinet members for their hard work, particularly in light of the upcoming election. Councillor Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, presented the revenue budget review, and Councillor Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for the Economy, raised questions regarding garden waste savings and parking variances. Councillor Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, sought reassurance on housing overspends.