The Residents' Services Select Committee met to discuss woodland management, the Safer Hillingdon Partnership's performance, and environmental enforcement.

Woodland Management and Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve

The committee received an update on the management of Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve (NNR), a significant ecological asset designated as both a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Mark Morgan, Chair of the Ruislip Woods Trust, highlighted the importance of the woods and the challenges posed by insufficient resources and reduced staffing levels, which have impacted essential management activities such as coppicing and grassland management. He expressed concern that these issues could jeopardise the NNR's status and potentially lead to Natural England issuing a Management Notice.

Officers acknowledged these challenges and confirmed that a new Woodland Management and Delivery Plan is being commissioned. This plan aims to secure long-term sustainable management through strengthened partnerships, investment opportunities, and an enhanced delivery framework. The intention is to move from a maintenance-focused model to one of restoration and enhancement, with a draft plan anticipated in early Spring 2027. The committee also discussed the role of volunteers and external partners, such as Affinity Water, in supporting woodland management efforts.

Safer Hillingdon Partnership Performance

Superintendent Jake Albon-Massey of the Metropolitan Police provided an overview of the Safer Hillingdon Partnership's performance. He highlighted budgetary pressures facing the Met Police and legislative changes impacting sentencing and prisoner release. Despite these challenges, neighbourhood crime has seen a significant reduction of 11.2% year-to-date, although residential burglary has increased by 24.5%. The partnership is actively addressing this through targeted operations and community engagement.

Discussions also covered violence against women and girls (VAWG), with offences down 2.8% year-to-date. Initiatives such as Project Vigilant, involving plain-clothes officers to identify predatory behaviour, are being implemented. The committee raised concerns about the reporting of hate crimes and the preparedness for large-scale protests. Officers assured the committee that intelligence cells monitor potential threats and that the Met Police has significant resources for public order policing. The closure of Oxford's police station custody suite was discussed, with officers noting the impact on local unit capacity due to longer travel times to custody suites at Heathrow Airport and Acton.

Richard Webb, Director of Community Safety and Enforcement, and Davina Smith, Head of Community Safety and Resilience, also contributed to the discussion, emphasising the importance of data sharing and collaborative action to address community safety issues. They highlighted the ongoing review of the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) service and efforts to improve reporting mechanisms for residents.

Environmental Enforcement Service

The committee reviewed the performance of the Environmental Enforcement Service contract with APCOA Environmental Services. The contract, renewed in December 2025 for a further five years, focuses on littering, fly-tipping, Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) breaches, and other environmental offences. Between January and June 2026, APCOA issued approximately 5,886 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), generating over £337,000 in income.

Councillor Kamal Preet Kaur raised concerns about the exclusion of fly-tipping from FPNs, to which officers explained that fly-tipping investigations are handled by in-house teams, with APCOA's role primarily focused on intelligence gathering and on-street patrols. The effectiveness of PSPO enforcement, particularly concerning Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) breaches in the Heathrow area, was discussed, with over 3,000 FPNs issued for such offences.

Councillor Riley Russell raised issues regarding street drinking enforcement on Uxbridge High Street, and officers explained the challenges of issuing FPNs to homeless individuals and the importance of working with police and support services for behavioural change. The committee also discussed the use of technology, such as CCTV and facial recognition, in enforcement activities, and the need for improved communication and feedback to residents regarding reported incidents.

Proposed Review Scoping Report: Unlocking Hillingdon's Heritage

The committee considered a draft scoping report for a new policy review focused on Unlocking Hillingdon's Heritage: Growing Membership, Engagement and Income. The review aims to understand why the Hillingdon Heritage Membership Scheme has seen lower-than-expected take-up and to identify strategies for increasing membership, engagement, and income. The report outlines the scheme's objectives, scope, and potential lines of enquiry, including examining membership benefits, promotion, customer journey, and opportunities for sponsorship and partnerships. The committee was asked to comment on and consider the scoping report to initiate the review.

Forward Plan and Work Programme

The committee noted the Cabinet's Forward Plan, which outlines future key decisions, and reviewed its own work programme for the upcoming municipal year. This included noting planned site visits to various heritage sites, including the Battle of Britain Bunker and Harmondsworth Barn, and discussions around potential future review topics.

The meeting also included a presentation from Fiona Sweet, Museums and Heritage Manager, who welcomed the committee's interest in the service and highlighted efforts to make Hillingdon's heritage more accessible to residents. The committee agreed to receive updates on the progress of the Woodland Management Plan and the Safer Hillingdon Partnership.