The Cabinet of Hounslow Council met on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, approving Hounslow's Vision 2050 and the final Housing Strategy 2025-2030. The meeting also saw the approval of the West London Waste Plan Refresh for public consultation and a new operating model for the council's enforcement services.

Hounslow's Vision 2050

Cabinet unanimously agreed to adopt Hounslow's Vision 2050 as the council's long-term vision. This comprehensive strategy outlines the council's aspirations for the borough over the next quarter-century. The report, presented by Paul Probert, Head of Policy and Insight, and Taru Jaroszynski, Policy and Insight Service Manager, was moved for recommendation by Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, and seconded by Councillor Tom Bruce, Vice-Chair of the Cabinet. The vision will be referred to the Borough Council on 25 November 2025 for a final vote.

West London Waste Plan Refresh - Regulation 18 Consultation

The Cabinet approved the draft new West London Waste Plan for public consultation. This plan is part of the statutory consultation process under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Councillor Tom Bruce introduced the report, submitted by Vincent Lacovara, Director of Planning and Buildings, and Duncan McKane, Senior Policy Planner, and moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Pritam Grewal. The Cabinet delegated the agreement of the final version of the plan for consultation to the Director of Planning and Buildings, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio holder for Assets, Regeneration and Development. The outcomes of this consultation will be reported back to Cabinet in Spring/Summer 2026, with a further consultation planned for the 'Regulation 19' stage.

Final Housing Strategy 2025-2030

The final Housing Strategy for 2025-2030 was approved by Cabinet. Councillor Sue Sampson introduced the report, prepared by Modester Anucha, Director of Housing, and Benjamin Tomlinson, Head of Housing Planning and Resources. The strategy incorporates plans for addressing homelessness and rough sleeping, and has been updated following consultation feedback. Cabinet noted the outcomes of the formal consultation and the Equalities Impact Assessment. Authority for the operational delivery of the strategy, including finalising priority targets and minor amendments, has been delegated to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing. The strategy will be monitored through quarterly reports to the Housing Delivery Group and annual updates to Cabinet.

Housing Assistance Policy - Disabled Facilities Grant

Cabinet approved the consultation on the Draft Housing Assistance Policy 2026 and the associated Consultation Plan. They also approved the consultation on the Draft Aids and Adaptation Policy 2026 for Council-owned properties and its associated Consultation Plan. Councillor Sue Sampson presented the report, compiled by Modester Anucha, Housing Director, and Rachael Farr, Principal Service Manager. The Cabinet noted feedback from informal engagement on these policies. The Director of Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder of Housing Management & Homelessness, has been delegated the authority to adopt the final versions of these consultation plans.

Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025-2026

The Cabinet noted the Council's Treasury Management activity for the period 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025 and the content of the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025/26. Councillor Shantanu Rajawat introduced the report, prepared by Jake Bacchus, Executive Director of Finance and Resources. The report was also referred to the Borough Council.

Financial Monitoring Update Quarter 2 2025-26

The Cabinet received an update on the council's financial position for the second quarter of 2025-26. Councillor Shantanu Rajawat presented the report from Jake Bacchus, Executive Director of Finance and Resources. Key points noted include a forecast General Fund revenue budget overspend of £10.5m, a net nil variance for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) with a forecast contribution to HRA balances of £1.75m, and a forecast overspend of £0.1m for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The Cabinet also noted progress on delivering savings included in the 2025/26 budget.

Several financial decisions were made:

• The write-off of £818k of business rates debt was approved.
• An increase of £1,771k in the 2025/26 capital budget for Disabled Facilities Grants was approved, to be funded from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's grant allocation.
• A budget of £1.5m was allocated from the General Fund capital programme unallocated budget, funded from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation, to implement the Preparation for Adulthood programme. Authority to approve spend within this allocation was delegated to the Executive Director of Finance and Resources.
• A budget of £875,000 was allocated from the 2025/26 General Fund capital programme unallocated budget to fund the procurement and installation of twenty new traffic monitoring and enforcement cameras. The Cabinet authorised the commencement of a procurement exercise for these cameras and delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Resources to award the contract, provided tenders remain within the approved budget.
• Amendments to Building Control charges, new fees and charges under The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024, and new Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fees were approved, all with effect from 1 December 2025.

Enforcement Review - New Operating Model

Cabinet approved a new operating model for Enforcement services. This model includes a new, integrated council-delivered Enforcement service, a new contract for Parking Enforcement (including CCTV monitoring for parking and moving traffic violations), an Environmental Enforcement contract, and the internal delivery of CCTV monitoring for community safety cameras. Councillor Pritam Grewal introduced the report, prepared by Elliott Brooks, Director of Communities.

A key decision was to authorise the commencement of the procurement of a new Parking Enforcement contract, with authority to award delegated to the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure Recycling & Transformation. Cabinet also approved the development of a business case for an in-house CCTV monitoring function for community safety cameras. Authority was delegated to the Director of Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Customer Services, and Enforcement, to either approve the in-house model or, if it's not value for money, to procure a new contract for this function. A budget of £84,000 from the One Hounslow Transformation Reserve and £30,000 from the Unallocated General Fund Capital Programme Budget was approved for programme management, equipment, and technology to implement these recommendations.