The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee of Hillingdon Council met on Tuesday 06 January 2026 to discuss the council's budget proposals for the upcoming financial year, review performance data, and consider future work plans. The meeting's agenda included a detailed examination of the Cabinet's budget proposals for 2026/27, a review of the council's financial position, and an update on performance across various service areas.

Cabinet Budget Proposals 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft revenue budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31. These proposals outline anticipated savings and growth pressures across services within the committee's remit. The report indicated a net budget change for 2026/27 of £7.4 million, with savings proposals totalling £2.1 million and growth proposals amounting to £9.5 million. The committee was asked to comment on the financial assumptions, savings proposals, growth pressures, service impacts, and delivery risks associated with these proposals, with the aim of providing feedback to the Cabinet for consideration in the final budget proposals to be presented to the Council in February 2026.

The report detailed numerous savings proposals across various directorates, including areas such as Communications, Democratic Services, Legal Services, and Finance. For example, savings were identified through the Outsourcing of the Council's Film Office and Hillingdon People Magazine . Growth proposals included increased costs for Managed Vacancy Target - Communications and Local Elections Funding . The committee was also to consider proposed increases to discretionary Fees & Charges by 10% for 2026/27.

The General Fund Capital programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31 was also outlined, with a total investment of £228.8 million planned. This includes £66.4 million for Major Projects and £147.5 million for Programme of Works activity. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital programme proposed an investment of £522.2 million over the same period, focusing on the expansion and enhancement of housing stock.

Budget & Spending Report

The committee was scheduled to review the budget monitoring position as at October 2025 (Month 7) for the council and for services within the remit of the Corporate Resources and Infrastructure Select Committee. The report indicated a projected council-wide overspend of £36.0 million on core operating activities, including £26.8 million across Service Operating Budgets. This overspend was attributed to demand pressures, particularly in Adult Social Care, homelessness support, and Children's Social Care, as well as a shortfall against budgeted savings. The report detailed a savings requirement of £38.8 million for 2025/26, with £19.0 million (48%) recorded as banked or on track for delivery. Significant challenges were noted in delivering savings, with £10.4 million considered undeliverable and requiring write-off from the Council's budget from 2026/27.

The report provided a detailed breakdown of the budget monitoring position by directorate for the committee's portfolio, showing a projected overspend of £6.3 million. This included overspends in Finance (£5.3 million), Corporate Services (£0.4 million), Chief Executive's Office (£0.1 million), and Place (£0.537 million). The overspend in Finance was largely attributed to staffing cost pressures and Treasury budget overspends.

Six Month Performance Monitoring Report

This report was scheduled to monitor expenditure against key performance indicators (KPIs) for the first half of the 2025/26 financial year. The analysis aimed to benchmark Hillingdon's performance against other local authorities, focusing on value for money and service delivery. Key areas of focus included Adult Social Care and Health, Residents Services (housing and homelessness), Children's Services, and Finance.

The report highlighted that Hillingdon had the 4th lowest net expenditure in London per 100,000 residents. In Adult Social Care, the council was noted for having the 2nd lowest net expenditure among its statistical neighbours while achieving a 'Good' Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating. Residents Services was recognised for having the 8th lowest expenditure for housing and homelessness services and achieving a C2 grade from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). Children's Social Care was noted for its 3rd lowest net expenditure and an 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating. The Finance section indicated Hillingdon had the 4th lowest net expenditure for housing benefit and council tax administration.

Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to review the Cabinet's latest Forward Plan, which outlines key decisions and other decisions to be taken by the Cabinet and Cabinet Members over the coming year. The Forward Plan is a monthly document providing public notice of future key decisions. The committee's role was to consider the plan and comment as appropriate on items within its remit, potentially requesting further information or draft reports to facilitate pre-decision scrutiny. Several items within the Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee's remit were listed for future Cabinet meetings, including reports on the London Borough of Hillingdon Digital Strategy - annual report , 9 Haydon Drive Residential Redevelopment , and Corporate Disposals Programme 2025/26 .

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review and agree any amendments to its Multi-Year Work Programme for 2022-2026. This programme outlines the committee's planned activities, including regular service and performance monitoring, major reviews, and one-off information updates. The work programme detailed scheduled discussions for the current municipal year, including topics such as Maximising Council Spaces , Annual Performance Monitoring , Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy , and Building Safety Strategy . It also indicated planned site visits and reviews of previous recommendations.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at Committee Room 6, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1UW, commencing at 7:00 PM. The public and press were welcome to attend and observe the proceedings.