Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillor Andrew Jones attended the meeting remotely. During decision items he did not participate in the discussion or vote.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 July 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council and Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited the lead petitioner to address Cabinet.

The lead petitioner addressed the meeting and made the following points:

• The Council had invested heavily in placemaking in other areas of the borough, but not Uxbridge Road.
• The Council had not adequately enforced planning and licensing rules in the area.
• The area suffered from crime and anti-social behaviour, partly as a result of the lack of enforcement.
• There was a proliferation of fast food / friend chicken shops, betting shops, and 2-in-1 shops. A survey carried out by the petitioner showed 79% of residents were dissatisfied with the shops, cafés, and businesses on Uxbridge Road.
• Cluttered street furniture, uneven surfaces, and litter made it difficult to navigate for people, particularly people in wheelchairs and those with vision or mobility issues.
• She asked that the Council invest in the area, enforce planning and licensing guidelines, support a greater diversity of shops, and build a clean and safe area for residents.

The Leader thanked the lead petitioner for her comments. He said Uxbridge Road was an important area for the Council, with a number of Councillors living on or around the road. He understood there were strong views about improvements and the Council was keen to listen and understand. He said the Council would be working with residents’ groups across the borough, including in Uxbridge Road, to improve local streets.

The Leader then asked to discuss each of the points the petitioner had raised in more detail.

The Leader discussed the removal of telephone boxes with the lead petitioner. Bram Kainth (Executive Director of Place) noted that the Council had to work with BT to make changes and BT had agreed to remove seven boxes. He said the Council was also in conversation with New World Payphones about removing a further eight boxes. He said the Council was negotiating to remove the boxes but would take legal action if necessary. The Leader asked officers to write to the lead petitioner about the process and timescales.

ACTION: Bram Kainth

The Leader then discussed the issue of betting shops. the lead petitioner felt there should not be any betting shops next to a primary school and two places of worship. She said the Council should revoke their licenses under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act.

The Leader said he agreed with the lead petitioner in principle, but the Council had sought legal advice and had been told that it did not have the power to close betting shops. Attempts to limit gambling establishments or revoke their licences had led to legal challenges. The Council had worked with other authorities and written to the Government to request additional powers to tackle this issue.

The lead petitioner said Joe Powell MP had successfully opposed two betting shops in Kensington and Bayswater. Officers said they would look into this and share any findings with residents.

ACTION: Bram Kainth

The Leader then discussed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

1.    To approve a £3.2m CCTV Capital Investment from 2025/26 to 2027/28 to deliver the additional CCTV cameras, technological advances and additional capabilities outlined in this report.

2.    The Cabinet is asked to approve the use of drones as an enforcement aid and for additional surveillance via conducting a trial if approvement is obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Councillor Rebecca Harvey (Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety) introduced the item that sought approval for £3.2 million be invested to enhance the Council’s extensive CCTV network with advanced technologies, including live and retrospective facial recognition, AI-assisted cameras, and upgraded physical infrastructure to improve crime detection and prevention, as well as additional cameras in parks.

Councillor Jose Afonso said the Opposition generally supported the approach in the report. He asked if the AI enabled cameras were new or if the technology would be applied to existing cameras. The Leader said the Council was looking at replacing some existing cameras and introducing new cameras.

Councillor Afonso asked how many people would be on duty watching the network at any one time. The Leader explained that utilising AI technology would enhance the current service without requiring additional officers on duty.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet approved a £3.2m CCTV Capital Investment from 2025/26 to 2027/28 to deliver the additional CCTV cameras, technological advances and additional capabilities outlined in the report.

2. That Cabinet approved the use of drones as an enforcement aid and for additional surveillance via conducting a trial if approvement is obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Councillor Rebecca Harvey (Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety) introduced the report which outlined details of a new PSPO under consultation that sought to prohibit professional and persistent begging, loitering and anti-social behaviour, and wearing face coverings to conceal identity (with exemptions). She noted the report also sought to approve a communications campaign designed to encourage residents to report crime and anti-social behaviour to make the borough safer.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet acknowledged the consultation that was taking place on the new PSPO with the following measures to tackle ASB:-

2. That Cabinet approved a communication campaign to increase residents trust and confidence in reporting crimes and anti-social behaviour.

1.    To invest £8.3 million into a three-year programme of improvement works to deliver an enhanced high-quality playground offer across LBHF, including developing exemplar playgrounds in our major parks of Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park. Working with the Housing Department to make sure the play offers in both Housing and Parks is coordinated.

2.    To establish a Play Forum to advise on the proposed changes and priorities, ensuring the programme is co-produced with local communities and there is a coordinated approach with schools, housing, and other providers of play in LBHF.

Councillors Florian Chevoppe-Verdier (Cabinet Member for Public Realm) and Frances Umeh (Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness) introduced the report which set out a 3-year, £8.3m improvement programme to transform play facilities in the borough.

A resident who had engaged with the Council on this issue addressed the meeting and thanked the Cabinet Members for the investment proposed in the report. She spoke about the positive impact that improved playgrounds would have for families and children, and local businesses near playgrounds. The Leader said this was just the beginning and the Council intended to invest more in the coming years.

Councillor Bora Kwon (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health) noted that improving play was an important public health issue. She said in her previous role as Cabinet Member for Civic Renewal she did a lot of work with officers to bring private investment into the borough’s green spaces and suggested that be highlighted in the public papers for the next tranche of projects.

RESOLVED

1. To invest £8.3 million into a three-year programme of improvement works to deliver an enhanced high-quality playground offer across LBHF, including developing exemplar playgrounds in our major parks of Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park. Working with the Housing Department to make sure the play offers in both Housing and Parks is coordinated.

2. To establish a Play Forum to advise on the proposed changes and priorities, ensuring the programme is co-produced with local communities and there is a coordinated approach with schools, housing, and other providers of play in LBHF.

1.    That Cabinet endorses the contents of the report and attached Youth Justice Plan for approval by Full Council.

Councillor Alex Sanderson (Deputy Leader) introduced the report on the Youth Justice Plan which set out how the Council would work with partnership agencies and local communities to keep children and young people safe and support them to reach their full potential.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet endorsed the contents of the report and attached Youth Justice Plan for approval by Full Council.

Councillor Frances Umeh (Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness) introduced the report which provided an update on the safety compliance position of Housing for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. She noted that Housing performance across the six core areas (gas, electric, lifts, fire, water and asbestos) reported 100% compliance for five of the six areas on 31 March 2025. Councillor Umeh said the Housing department was committed to robust assurance, transparency, and continuous improvement with resident engagement at its heart.

Councillor Adronie Alford said she was pleased to see the improvements in performance but noted that electrical safety compliance was at 97% and asked the Council to continue to push for 100%. Councillor Umeh agreed and said the ambition was to achieve 100% compliance.

The Chair thanked Councillor Umeh and Housing officers for the impressive turnaround in compliance performance.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. Feedback on the annual review of Housing Safety Compliance for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

2. Noted the work strands of Housing Safety Compliance that had been delivered and continues to occur across Housing as set out in the report.

1.    To note the General Fund (GF) underspend of £0.420m, and an underspend of £0.476m on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2024/25.

2.    To note the transfer of the net underspend balances for both the GF and HRA to their respective general balances (as set out in paragraph 3 and 6 below of this report).

3.    To note the increase of the Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block deficit and the remaining cumulative deficit of £2.529m.

Councillor Rowan Ree (Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform) introduced the report which set out the revenue outturn position for the Council across the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for the 2024/25 financial year. He noted that the Council had delivered a surplus of £420k for the General Fund and £477k for the Housing Revenue Account because of its ruthlessly financially efficient approach.

Councillor Adronie Alford said she was glad to see progress on the Housing Revenue Account.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet noted the General Fund underspend of £0.420m, and an underspend of £0.476m on the Housing Revenue Account for 2024/25.

2. That Cabinet noted the transfer of the net underspend balances for both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account to their respective general balances (as set out in paragraph 3 and 6 below of the report).

3. That Cabinet noted the increase of the Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block deficit and the remaining cumulative deficit of £2.529m.

1.    To note the capital outturn for the year of £253.1m.

2.    To approve the proposed budget variations to the capital programme (2024/25 to 2027/28) as summarised in Tables 1 and 5 and detailed in Appendix 1.

3.    To approve an additional £5m budget in relation to pre–agreed works within the HRA asset and compliance programme, funded from HRA borrowing.

4.    To note the additional budget as approved by Full Council on 7th October 2024 for the Hammersmith Town Hall refurbishment, funded from General Fund borrowing.

Councillor Rowan Ree (Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform) introduced the report that set out the details of the capital programme outturn for the financial year 2024/25. He noted the total spend of £235m on projects to make the borough better, including significant investments in the public realm, housing, and the UK’s most comprehensive CCTV network.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet noted the capital outturn for the year of £253.1m.

2. That Cabinet approved the proposed budget variations to the capital programme (2024/25 to 2027/28) as summarised in Tables 1 and 5 and detailed in Appendix 1.

3. That Cabinet approved an additional £5m budget in relation to pre–agreed works within the Housing Revenue Account asset and compliance programme, funded from Housing Revenue Account borrowing.

4. To note the additional budget as approved by Full Council on 7th October 2024 for the Hammersmith Town Hall refurbishment, funded from General Fund borrowing.

Councillor Rowan Ree (Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform) introduced the report which set out the Council’s Treasury Management Outturn for 2024/25. He noted that the Council operated within the Treasury Limits and Prudential Indicators during 2024/25 and met all its prudential indicators. He also highlighted £1.5m raised for local climate projects through H&F Green Investment.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet noted the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2024/25.

This item includes appendices that contain exempt information. Discussion of the appendices will require passing the proposed resolution at the end of the agenda to exclude members of the public and press.

Councillor Rowan Ree (Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform) introduced the report which provided and update on the Council’s three active limited companies and two joint ventures.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet noted that Appendices 1-6 were not for publication on the basis that they contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2. That Cabinet noted the status of the companies.

1.    To note the General Fund financial forecast variance at Month 2 (Table 1 and Appendix 1).

2.    To note progress on delivering the 2025/26 agreed budget savings (Appendix 3).

3.    To note the HRA forecast (paragraph section 11 to 13 and Appendix 2).

4.    To note and approve the budget movements (virements) (Appendix 4).

Councillor Rowan Ree (Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform) introduced the report which presented the revenue monitoring position for 2025/26 at Month 2 (May 2025).

Councillor Adronie Alford raised concerns about higher numbers of people, particularly children, in Bed and Breakfast accommodation. Councillor Rowan Ree said there was a transformation programme in the Housing Solutions team to address this and the housing company mentioned in the previous report gave the Council more flexibility to build housing capacity. The Leader added that it was a political problem caused by a lack of affordable and social housing. He said children growing up in unstable housing and having to move frequently was a serious problem which the Renters’ Rights legislation should help, but ultimately more housing was needed to solve the root of the problem.

RESOLVED

1. To note the General Fund financial forecast variance at Month 2 (Table 1 and Appendix 1).

2. To note progress on delivering the 2025/26 agreed budget savings (Appendix 3).

3. To note the HRA forecast (paragraph section 11 to 13 and Appendix 2).

4. To note and approve the budget movements (virements) (Appendix 4).

The Key Decision List was noted.

Proposed resolution

Under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of an item of business, on the grounds that it contains the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the said Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption currently outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.      

There was no discussion of exempt elements.