The Audit, Finance and Performance Committee of Hillingdon Council met on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. The committee reviewed the Period 2 (May) 2026 Financial Monitoring Report, which indicated a projected £584,000 overspend for the General Fund, with potential further risks and opportunities amounting to £2,759,000, mitigated by a £10 million risk and contingency provision. The report noted that 61% of the council's savings targets were on track or already delivered.

Discussions were held regarding proposed changes to fees and charges, including in-year adjustments to filming charges to align with market rates and amendments to fines for environmental offences, increasing them to the statutory maximum. The committee also considered delegating authority to approve a new policy for civil penalties under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, noting that this delegation had already been made to the relevant director and cabinet member.

The acceptance of additional grant funding was discussed, including £2,580,470 from the Department for Education (DfE) for preventative services for children and families, £449,000 in Planning Gift Funding, and £2,805,603 in ringfenced grant funding from the DfE for the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reform programme.

The capital programme was reviewed. Roll-forward requests totalling £15.6 million for underspent 2025/26 capital budgets were discussed, with some approved. A correction was made regarding a £6.974 million roll-forward related to the Hillingdon Water Sports Facility, which was identified as having been spent in the previous year and therefore not requiring a roll-forward. The General Fund Capital Programme was forecasting an underspend of £6.974 million, and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme was forecasting spend in line with its budget.

The report also highlighted a projected £646,000 deficit in the Council Tax Collection Fund, attributed to a lower-than-anticipated taxbase and an increased bad debt provision.

Savings Tracker

The committee examined the savings tracker, which showed that £8,734,000 (33%) of the council's savings targets had been delivered, and a further £7,462,000 (28%) were on track. This represented an improvement compared to the same period in the previous year. However, £8,812,000 (33%) was rated as 'at risk', and £1,734,000 (6%) was delayed until the next financial year.

Fees and Charges / Enforcement Policies

Proposed changes to fees and charges were reviewed, including an increase in filming charges and amendments to fines for environmental offences. The proposed new full fine rate for depositing litter, flyposting, and duty of care for business and household waste was set at the statutory maximum. The committee also considered the delegation of authority for civil penalties under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Acceptance of Grant Funding and Contributions

The committee discussed the acceptance of grant funding, including £2,580,470 from the DfE for preventative services, £449,000 in Planning Gift Funding, and £2,805,603 in ringfenced grant funding from the DfE for the SEND reform programme.

Capital Programme

The General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital programmes were reviewed. Additional roll-forward requests totalling £15.644 million for the General Fund were discussed, with the overall General Fund Capital Programme forecasting an underspend of £6.974 million. The HRA Capital Programme was forecasting spend in line with its budget.

Forward Plan and Work Programme

The committee considered the Cabinet's Forward Plan and its own Work Programme. Councillor Tony Eginton raised a point about the banking reconciliation process, seeking assurance regarding its move from manual to automated within Oracle. Discussions also touched upon the need for enhanced training for committee members to improve their understanding of financial matters and scrutiny processes, with officers tasked with developing a work program for financial training.

Councillor Eginton presented a series of twelve recommendations aimed at enhancing the committee's scrutiny functions, particularly concerning the savings tracker, reporting formats, and accountability for savings delivery. These recommendations were noted for further consideration by the Cabinet member and Cabinet.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Henry Higgins. Attendees included Councillor Tony Eginton, Councillor Adam Huddle, Councillor John Riley, Councillor Daniel Singham (substituted by Councillor Terence Murray), Councillor Tony Zaman (Chief Executive), and Pete Carman (Acting 151 Officer).