The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, saw the approval of a refreshed Risk Management Framework, the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order for Montague Road West Car Park, and significant progress on regeneration projects at Hanworth Park House and the Charlton and Albany House Estate.

Risk Management Framework Refresh

Cabinet approved the refreshed Risk Management Framework and the associated action plan to embed improvements across the organisation. The framework aims to enhance the Council's ability to manage risks effectively, supporting its ambition to be an outstanding Council serving an outstanding borough. The refresh focuses on embedding risk management in decision-making, increasing engagement beyond the Corporate Leadership Team through more dynamic reporting, and fostering a culture that welcomes risk. Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, moved the report, stating that risk management supports our aim to be an outstanding council, serving a very outstanding borough. ¹ The framework is a legal requirement under the Accounts and Audit Regulations of 2015.

Implementation of Public Space Protection Order for Montague Road West Car Park

A three-year Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was approved for Montague Road West Car Park, effective from 1 November 2025. This order aims to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour, including littering, rough sleeping, public urination, and the use of psychoactive substances, which have plagued the car park for years. The order will grant authorised officers the power to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100, with potential prosecution leading to fines of up to £1,000. A public consultation showed strong support, with 79.6% of residents strongly supporting the order. Councillor Pritam Grewal, Lead Member for Community Safety, Customer Experience and Enforcement, highlighted that the car park has been a hotspot for complaints over many years. ² The decision also delegates authority to the relevant Chief Officer to make future PSPOs, streamlining the process for addressing anti-social behaviour across the borough, subject to consultation with the Leader and relevant Lead Member.

Enabling Development at Hanworth Park House

Cabinet agreed in principle to use Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers to acquire a strip of unregistered land at the entrance to the Hanworth Park House site. This action is necessary to facilitate the development permitted under planning permission reference P/2022/1431, which includes the restoration of the Grade II listed Hanworth Park House, the provision of 180 market and 120 affordable homes, and improvements to council-owned parkland. Councillor Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio holder for Assets, Regeneration and Development, described the project as a very, very good example of how, and it is about delivering a future for our past. ³ The decision also includes agreeing to amend the Council's Highway Register to accurately record two parcels of land as adopted highway and approving the modification of a restrictive covenant on private land within the site. These measures are crucial to resolving property constraints and attracting private developers and funding for the scheme.

Charlton and Albany House Development

The Cabinet approved the commencement of the procurement process to appoint a main contractor for the delivery of the Charlton House development. This regeneration project, part of the Council's commitment to deliver 1,000 new council homes, aims to replace outdated housing stock with high-quality, energy-efficient homes for social rent. The project has secured significant grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), which is contingent on development commencing by September 2026. Councillor Tom Bruce emphasised that this decision reaffirms the Council's commitment to delivering affordable homes for residents in the borough. ⁴ The report noted that an Outline Business Case, recommending the final delivery option, will be subject to Cabinet approval following the approval of the 2026 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan. During the discussion, Councillor Bruce suggested naming the development Steve Curran House in honour of the late former Leader, a proposal that received support from other councillors.