The Ealing Council Cabinet met on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, to discuss a range of significant issues, including the provision of a new temporary theatre and music venue, the council's budget monitoring for the first quarter of the financial year, and plans for delivering employment services across West London. Key decisions made included agreeing in principle to a proposal to grant a lease for a temporary theatre in Walpole Park, approving the re-profiling of capital programme budgets and the decommissioning of capital schemes, and authorising the Director of the West London Alliance to enter into grant agreements to accept funding for the Jobs Guarantee scheme and to pass grant funding to other boroughs and employers.

Temporary Theatre and Music Venue for Ealing

Cabinet agreed in principle to the proposal to grant a lease to Troubadour Theatres Ltd for the provision of a temporary theatre in Walpole Park for a period of 3.5 years. This decision is subject to planning permission, and a final decision will be made after a statutory consultation. The proposal aims to test the viability of a theatre in the borough, potentially paving the way for a permanent venue. The theatre is expected to bring significant cultural and economic benefits, including increased access to high-quality cultural experiences, job creation, and a boost to local businesses in Ealing Broadway. Troubadour Theatres Ltd will fund, develop, and operate the venue, with the council receiving a fixed fee as part of the lease arrangement. This initiative aligns with the Council Plan 2026-30 and Ealing's Cultural Manifesto.

Budget Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2026/27

The Cabinet noted the council's financial position for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. The General Fund is forecasting a net overspend of £7.797 million (1.84%), largely driven by demand-led social care services. The Housing Revenue Account is forecasting a net underspend of £0.812 million, and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is forecasting a deficit of £16.498 million. Cabinet approved the re-profiling of £262.190 million of the 2026/27 capital programme budgets and the decommissioning of £51.287 million of capital schemes. An additional capital programme budget of £4.750 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant, fully funded by grant, was also approved. The report highlighted that frequent and timely financial reporting is crucial for good financial management.

West London Alliance (WLA) - Jobs Guarantee Scheme and Wider Employment Services

Cabinet authorised the Director of the West London Alliance (WLA) to enter into grant agreements to accept funding for the delivery of the Government's National Jobs Guarantee scheme in West London. Ealing Council is acting as the Accountable Body for the WLA. The scheme will provide six-month paid jobs for eligible 18-24-year-olds who have been claiming Universal Credit and actively seeking work for 18 months. Employers will be able to reclaim costs for employing participants at the National Minimum Wage. Cabinet also delegated authority to the Director of WLA to accept and deploy new grant funding for employment services that become available during the current Comprehensive Spending Review period (2027/28 and 2028/29) and to vary the West London Strategic Employment Support Contract with The Shaw Trust. This initiative aligns with the council's objective to ensure every resident has the chance to earn a decent living.

Procurement of Mechanical and Electrical Capital Works Services Contracts for Council Housing

Cabinet agreed to procure two separate contracts for Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services by carrying out a mini-competition under the Communities & Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC) Mechanical & Electrical Framework Agreement 2025. This programme is necessary due to the ageing condition of M&E services within high-risk buildings and older blocks, which are significantly past their estimated lifecycle. The estimated combined annual cost for both contracts is £18.5 million over five years, which will be met within the approved HRA capital budget. The procurement aims to improve service quality, accountability, and resident-focused outcomes, while also embedding social value through contract requirements.

Regulator of Social Housing - Provider Improvement Strategy and Action Plan

Cabinet noted the progress made in responding to the Regulator of Social Housing's regulatory judgement and approved the Provider Improvement Strategy as the council's overarching framework and the Provider Improvement Plan and associated programme of work. This forms part of the council's wider work to strengthen housing services, improve outcomes, and increase resident influence, aiming to meet and exceed a C1 regulatory grading. The strategy and plan have been shaped through resident engagement, with a focus on improving safety, repairs, resident influence, and service accessibility. The council has made significant progress in reducing safety risks, improving stock condition data, and enhancing resident engagement.

Green Man Lane Development Agreement Proposed Changes

Cabinet agreed to enter into a deed of novation in respect of the principal development agreement for the Green Man Lane Regeneration project and delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Economy and Sustainability to finalise and enter into the deed of novation and any related legal documents. This decision aims to replace the existing contractor, Rydon, with Higgins Construction, enabling the recommencement of the final phases of the redevelopment. This will increase the number of genuinely affordable homes in the borough. The project has faced challenges, including contractor insolvency and market conditions, but the final phases are expected to deliver 363 new homes.

West Middlesex Golf Course Property Transactions

Cabinet agreed to Heads of Terms related to West Middlesex Golf Course, which include accepting the surrender of a long lease, granting a new short-term lease to West Middlesex Golf Club until September 2027, and entering into an agreement for a second short-term lease until May 2028. Additionally, a 2.27-acre site will be disposed of to Greenford Road Limited under an options agreement. These transactions are intended to settle ongoing litigation between the council and West Middlesex Golf Club and reacquire the majority of the land. The council received 26 objections to the proposed disposals, but officers concluded that these did not present substantive grounds to alter the proposed course of action. The future use of the surrendered land will be subject to public consultation after the deal concludes.