The Ealing Council Cabinet met on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, approving a range of key decisions including the 2026/27 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan for 2026-27, and the Community-led Regeneration Charter. The Cabinet also approved enabling works for the Gurnell Leisure Centre redevelopment and the disposal of the adjacent residential site to Countryside Properties (UK) Limited.

Key discussions and decisions from the Ealing Council Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, included the approval of the 2026/27 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, which outlines significant savings proposals and revenue growth for pressures and investments. The Cabinet also approved the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for 2026-27, which includes a 4.8% rent increase for tenants and significant capital programme budgets for asset management and housing development. Furthermore, a Community-led Regeneration Charter was approved, aiming to set out how communities can meaningfully engage with and inform regeneration projects across the borough. Decisions were also made regarding the disposal of land adjacent to Gurnell Leisure Centre to Countryside Properties (UK) Limited to enable residential development and contribute to the funding of a new leisure centre, and the approval of enabling works for the Gurnell Leisure Centre site itself. An E-bike Enforcement Policy was approved for a six-month pilot period, and arrangements for community school admissions for 2027/28 were confirmed, including the introduction of a children of staff criterion. Finally, the Cabinet agreed to replace the West London Economic Prosperity Board with a new West London Alliance Joint Committee.

2026/27 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy

The Cabinet approved the 2026/27 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which aims to balance the council's budget despite rising demand and costs for services. This includes approving total General Fund savings of £20.5m over the MTFS period (2026/27 to 2029/30), with £11.9m to be delivered in 2026/27. Revenue growth of £30.4m was also approved for pressures and investments in 2026/27. The strategy anticipates a council tax increase of 2.99% for core council tax and a 2.0% increase for the social care levy, resulting in a total Band D council tax of £1,628.02. Premiums on properties empty for more than one year and on second homes will continue to be charged. The council also approved the continuation of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the Real Living Wage Business Rates Discretionary Discount scheme for an additional year.

Community-led Regeneration Charter

The Cabinet approved the Community-led Regeneration Charter, a non-statutory document co-developed with the community and stakeholders. This Charter aims to set out how communities can effectively engage with and inform regeneration projects, ensuring their unique needs are met. It defines the roles and respons1ibilities of all stakeholders involved in regeneration and growth projects and will be accompanied by an Engagement Toolkit. The Charter aligns with the council's commitment in the Council Plan 2022-2026 to set out a new Community-led Regeneration Charter and strengthens opportunities for communities to influence good growth and regeneration projects.

Gurnell Residential Site Disposal and Enabling Works

The Cabinet agreed to approve recommendations regarding the Gurnell Residential Site Disposal, adjacent to Gurnell Leisure Centre. This includes agreeing to enter into a development agreement and development lease with Countryside Properties (UK) Limited, and to transfer the freehold in accordance with the terms of the agreement. This disposal is partly to enable the redevelopment of Gurnell Leisure Centre, with the residential development providing much-needed housing and contributing to the borough's housing target.

Furthermore, the Cabinet agreed to award a building contract to Willmott Dixon for ground risk mitigation and enabling works at the Gurnell Leisure Centre site. This forms part of a two-stage tender process and is considered a prudent and cost-effective approach to manage project risks before committing to the full construction contract.

Villiers High School Award of Main Works Contract

Authority was granted to award a contract to Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Limited for the Villiers High School Places construction works. This involves increasing the existing capital budget for the school from £26.722m to £29.320m, with the additional £2.597m funded from grant, reserves, and a contribution from the school. This decision enables the council to progress with essential capital works at the school.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2026-27

The Cabinet approved the HRA revenue budget for 2026/27 and the updated 30-year HRA Business Plan Model. This includes approving capital programme budgets for asset management, landlord services, housing improvement, street lighting, and housing development, totalling £329.728m and £247.730m respectively, with an additional increase of £9.972m to the HRA capital programme. Rent increases of 4.8% were approved for social and affordable rents, HRA-owned hostels, and properties leased from Peabody, effective from April 2026. Garage rents and commercial property rents will also increase, as will tenant service charges. The council will also consult on the use of Rent Flexibility for re-lets and new build social rents.

0-19 Healthy Child Programme Contract Arrangements for 2026

Cabinet approved the direct award of an interim contract to Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCH) for a 15-month period to ensure the continued provision of the statutory 0-19 Healthy Child Programme service while a new contract is procured. This direct award is considered the most optimal option to allow officers time to prepare tenders for the open market.

E-bike Enforcement Policy

An E-bike Enforcement Procedure was approved for a six-month pilot period. This policy outlines the council's approach to enforcing parking regulations for dockless e-bikes, responding to resident feedback and accessibility concerns. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Housing & Environment to continue the procedure following the pilot.

West London Alliance Joint Committee

The Cabinet agreed to replace the West London Economic Prosperity Board with a new West London Alliance Joint Committee, comprising the London boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, and Hounslow. The council will be a member of this new joint committee, adopting its functions and procedure rules, and the Leader of the Council will serve as the council's representative.

Council Plan Performance Report Q2 2025/26

The Cabinet noted the contents of the Council Plan Performance Report for Q2 2025/26, which presented progress on the delivery of the council plan commitments and operational effectiveness through key indicators. The report highlighted that two-thirds of the corporate health check KPIs met their target or were within tolerance, while 20% did not meet their target.

Dame Gertrude Young House

Approval was granted to run an open tender to procure a supported housing service at Dame Gertrude House for men aged 18 and over with complex mental health needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The contract will be for three years with an option to extend for up to two additional years. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Environment to award and exercise any extensions to the contract.

Insurance Procurement Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to procure council-wide insurance contracts, excluding property, for a four-year term with an optional two-year extension. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources to award the contracts and exercise any extension options.

Q3 2025/26 Budget Update

The Cabinet noted the estimated General Fund forecast overspend of £5.023m and the Housing Revenue Account forecast underspend of (£0.721m) for 2025/26. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) forecast deficit of £11.896m for 2025/26 was also noted. The Cabinet approved the re-profiling of 2025/26 capital programme budgets of £12.881m and noted that the council is bidding for Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 grant, delegating authority to the Strategic Director, Resources to accept the grant if successful.

Community School Admissions Arrangements 2027/28

The Cabinet approved the council's community school admission arrangements and Published Admission Numbers (PANs) for the academic year 2027/28, including the introduction of the children of staff criterion. The schemes for coordination to reception and year 7 2027/28 as part of Pan London coordination were also adopted.

2026/27 S106 Service Spend Plan

The Cabinet agreed to incept capital budgets of £11.871m into the capital programme and add up to £0.610m to service revenue budgets, to be funded by S106 resources. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Resources to agree any adjustments to the approved budgets to match eligible expenditure during the year. The Cabinet also agreed to a £0.007m spend from S106 interest for Horsenden House condition survey.

Insurance Procurement Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to procure council-wide insurance contracts (excluding property) for a term of four years with an optional two-year extension. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources to award the contracts and exercise the extension options.

2026/27 Budget Update

The Cabinet noted the estimated General Fund forecast overspend of £5.023m and Housing Revenue Account forecast underspend of (£0.721m) for 2025/26. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) forecast deficit of £11.896m for 2025/26 was also noted. The Cabinet approved the re-profiling of 2025/26 capital programme budgets of £12.881m and delegated authority to the Strategic Director, Resources to accept the Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 grant if the council's bid is successful.

Gurnell Leisure Centre: Enabling Works and Ground Risk Mitigation

The Cabinet agreed to enter into a ground risk mitigation and enabling works contract with Willmott Dixon for works at the Gurnell Leisure Centre site. This decision is informed by risk management and cost efficiency, addressing essential site preparation and de-risking the project before committing to the full construction contract.

West London Alliance Joint Committee

The Cabinet agreed to replace the West London Economic Prosperity Board with a new West London Alliance Joint Committee, comprising the London boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, and Hounslow. The council will be a member of this new committee, adopting its functions and procedure rules, and the Leader of the Council will serve as the council's representative.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2026-27

The Cabinet approved the HRA revenue budget for 2026/27 and the updated 30-year HRA Business Plan Model. This includes approving capital programme budgets for asset management, landlord services, housing improvement, street lighting, and housing development, totalling £329.728m and £247.730m respectively, with an additional increase of £9.972m to the HRA capital programme. Rent increases of 4.8% were approved for social and affordable rents, HRA-owned hostels, and properties at Leamington Park, effective from April 2026. Garage rents and commercial property rents will also increase, as will tenant service charges. The council will also consult on the use of Rent Flexibility for re-lets and new build social rents.

0-19 Healthy Child Programme Contract Arrangements for 2026

Cabinet approved the direct award of an interim contract to Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCH) for a 15-month period to ensure the continued provision of the statutory 0-19 Healthy Child Programme service while a new contract is procured. This direct award is considered the most optimal option to allow officers time to prepare tenders for the open market.

E-bike Enforcement Policy

An E-bike Enforcement Procedure was approved for a six-month pilot period. This policy outlines the council's approach to enforcing parking regulations for dockless e-bikes, responding to resident feedback and accessibility concerns. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Housing & Environment to continue the E-bike Enforcement Procedure following the pilot period.