The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee of Westminster Council was scheduled to discuss progress on the council's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and the approach to the Outline Business Case for the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU) network. The committee was also set to review and approve its work programme for the upcoming year.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review and approve its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This included noting any changes to the committee's membership and receiving declarations of interest from members. The committee's work programme for the 2025/2026 municipal year was to be discussed, with formal meeting dates for the year also to be confirmed. The report highlighted the committee's role in scrutinising policy development and offering constructive challenge prior to decisions being taken, as well as holding the council and its partners to account. The committee was also to consider the establishment of Task Groups or Single Member Studies for more in-depth examination of key issues.

PDHU - Outline Business Case Approach

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to scrutinising progress on the shortlisting of technological solutions for the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU) Network. The report detailed the interim Outline Business Case (OBC) assessment, which involved evaluating 13 longlisted options for the future of heating and hot water for over 3,100 homes and 30 commercial premises connected to the PDHU. The current PDHU system, which is approximately 75 years old, is described as being beyond its design life, leading to disruptive leaks, expensive repairs, and substandard insulation. The report outlined the process of assessing options based on Critical Success Factors (CSFs), which have been refined to reflect resident feedback, with increased weightings given to Affordability for Residents and Disruption for Residents. Four options were proposed for progression to the next stage of the business case process: Do Minimum (pipework replacement), Centralised River Source Heat Pump with Gas Boilers, Centralised River Source Heat Pump with Electric Boilers, and Cory Mobile Heat Batteries. The report also discussed financial implications, procurement strategies, legal and governance considerations, carbon impact, and equalities impact assessments related to the PDHU upgrade. Extensive resident engagement activities, including surveys, working groups, and drop-in sessions, were also detailed.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy

The committee was scheduled to scrutinise the progress of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (HRSS) one year after its publication. The strategy, co-produced with partners and informed by a Lived Experience Group, aims to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping, ensuring it is Rare, Brief, and Non-reoccurring. The report highlighted the significant increase in homelessness applications and the rising cost and demand for Temporary Accommodation (TA) in Westminster. It detailed the progress made in the first six months of the strategy's implementation, focusing on four key commitments: Early Prevention, Crisis Response, Re-housing and Recovery, and Re-settlement. The report outlined initiatives such as the redesign of the Housing Solutions Service, the development of a Community Prevention Team, and efforts to bring empty properties back into use. It also discussed the challenges faced, including the limited availability of social housing, the increasing cost of TA, and the rise in individuals presenting with complex and multiple disadvantage needs. The report also introduced the role of Peer Specialists and Experts by Experience, working with the Westminster Homelessness Partnership (WHP) and Expert Link, to ensure lived experience informs service delivery and to hold the council accountable for the strategy's progress. The financial implications of the strategy, including the budget for Housing Operations and the impact of increasing TA costs, were also presented.