The Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel of Westminster Council met on Tuesday 18 November 2025. Councillor Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Councillor Lorraine Dean and Councillor Angela Piddock were scheduled to attend. The panel was scheduled to review appeals against the decision not to award a discretionary housing payment.

Review of Refusal to Grant Discretionary Housing Payment

The panel was scheduled to consider three appeals against decisions not to award a discretionary housing payment (DHP).

DHPs are payments made by local authorities to residents who require further financial assistance with housing costs. They are awarded at the discretion of the council, and can be used to cover costs such as rent, deposits, and moving expenses.

Exempt Reports

The panel was scheduled to discuss excluding the public and press from the meeting during the discussion of the appeals. The reason cited for this was that the discussion would involve disclosing information relating to individuals. This recommendation was made under Section 100 (A) (4) and Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972¹.