The Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 16 December 2025, was set to discuss a range of significant financial and policy matters, including the adoption of a Community Infrastructure Levy, an update on Treasury Management, and appointments to various committees. Additionally, the meeting agenda included debates on motions concerning Warren Farm Nature Reserve and the council's broader achievements and future commitments.

Community Infrastructure Levy Adoption

A key item on the agenda was the proposed adoption of the Ealing Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule, with an intended implementation date of 1 March 2026. The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge levied by local authorities on new development to help fund new or improved infrastructure required to support growth. This levy is intended to supplement existing developer contributions secured through Section 106 (S106) agreements, which are used to mitigate specific impacts of a development. The report detailed that Ealing is currently the only London council not operating its own CIL. The proposed CIL rates varied by development type and location, with residential development in Central Ealing facing a higher charge (£300 per square metre) than in the rest of the borough (£150 per square metre). Other uses, such as offices, affordable workspace, retail, and education, were proposed to have no CIL charge. The report included an independent examiner's report which recommended two modifications to the proposed schedule: reducing the charge for data centres to £150 per square metre and revising the definition of a hotel. The adoption of the CIL Charging Schedule was presented as a means to provide a simple and transparent way of collecting funding for strategic infrastructure, addressing a significant funding gap identified in the Ealing Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

Treasury Management Update

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the council's Treasury Management activities and performance for the quarter ending 30 September 2025. The report indicated that all treasury management activities had been conducted in accordance with approved limits and that all investments were made with counterparties on the council's approved investment list. During the second quarter of the financial year 2025/26, the Bank of England base rate decreased by 25 basis points to 4.00%. The report noted that no long-term borrowing had been raised during the period from April to September 2025, and the council's investment balance stood at £381.109 million as of 30 September 2025, with £251 million invested with the Debt Management Office (DMO). The report also provided an overview of prevailing economic conditions, including UK GDP growth, inflation rates, and unemployment figures, as well as forecasts for interest rates.

Appointments to Committees

The Council was due to consider appointments to its various Committees and Outside Bodies. This agenda item addressed changes to committee memberships that may occur due to vacancies, by-elections, or shifts in political balance. Specifically, the report noted that Councillor Swaran Padda had left the Labour Group to sit as an independent, resulting in vacant seats on the Planning Committee and the Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel, which the Labour Group would have an opportunity to fill.

Motions for Debate

Two motions were scheduled for debate. The first, proposed by the Opposition Group, concerned the Warren Farm Nature Reserve. It noted the public demand for the reserve, referencing previous cabinet reports that indicated a target adoption date of Q3 2025/26 and a hectarage of 24.8 hectares. The motion aimed to ensure the implementation of the plan to classify it as a Nature Reserve by Natural England.

The second motion, put forward by the Majority Group, highlighted the council's financial management and achievements. It noted the council's record of managing finances with care and prudence, enabling continued support for key policy areas across the borough's seven towns, including the Borough of Sanctuary scheme and the 'Your Voice, Your Town' programme. The motion also referenced positive results from the 2024 Ealing Resident Survey, indicating high resident satisfaction with their local area and the council's operations. Specific achievements highlighted included keeping council tax low, providing significant funding to low-income households, investing in crime prevention, and environmental initiatives such as planting trees and creating nature reserves. The motion resolved to continue tackling inequality, supporting vulnerable residents, delivering sustainable growth, working with the Mayor of London and the government on community safety, and addressing the climate crisis.

Motion Not for Debate

A motion not for debate was proposed concerning biodiversity improvements. This motion suggested that the council explore possible amendments to planning policies to enhance biodiversity across the borough, including considering the introduction of swift bricks or other measures to encourage nesting for threatened bird species such as swifts, house martins, sparrows, and starlings.

Questions from Members of the Council

Several questions from councillors to Cabinet Members were scheduled. These included inquiries regarding:

• Managing the issue of e-bikes blocking pavements and driveways.
• Actions being taken to prevent violence against women and girls.
• Taxpayer money lost due to uncompleted construction projects by Henry Construction Projects Ltd.
• The council's enforcement activity against the sale of illegal and illicit goods.
• The estimated cost to the council of the construction and demolition of the Maitland Yard and Dean Gardens residential scheme.
• The council's work to improve and expand green spaces and community spaces.
• Welcoming the potential location of a new Neighbourhood Health Centre in Southall.