The Cabinet of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Monday 9 March 2026, approving a new Affordable Workspace Strategy, endorsing the Enhanced Biodiversity Duty Report, and agreeing a procurement strategy for community reablement and homecare services. The meeting also saw the approval of the Revenue Budget and Council Tax levels for 2026/27, a four-year Capital Programme, and the Housing Revenue Account budget.

H&F Affordable Workspace Strategy 2026-2031

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Affordable Workspace Strategy 2026-2031. This strategy aims to address market failures in affordable workspace provision by actively curating an ecosystem for STEM³-related businesses. It will deploy £8.2 million of Section 106 funding to facilitate, implement, and broker the delivery of affordable workspace across the borough. The strategy prioritises four interventions: a Retrofit Fund, integration into regeneration schemes, public asset development, and business development through an Affordable Workspace Forum. The Council's commitment to this strategy aligns with its Upstream London vision to make the borough a global hub for STEM³ innovation and enterprise.

H&F Enhanced Biodiversity Duty 2026

The Cabinet approved the publication of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham's Enhanced Biodiversity Duty Report (2024–2026), fulfilling a statutory requirement under the Environment Act 2021. The report details actions taken to conserve and enhance biodiversity, including the creation of six Tiny Forests, expansion of meadow management, and planting of over 3,500 new trees. It also highlights the ecological value of Wormwood Scrubs and the investment of £3.25 million through the Green Investment Fund. The Cabinet endorsed the biodiversity priorities for 2026–2030, which include integrating the forthcoming London Local Nature Recovery Strategy and expanding habitats. Future biodiversity actions will be funded through existing budgets, supplemented by external funding.

Procurement Strategy for Community Reablement and Homecare

The Cabinet approved a procurement strategy for community reablement and homecare services, aiming to provide intensive, enabling support to residents to regain independence. The strategy will establish a closed framework across three localities, with three providers allocated to each locality for both Community Reablement and Core Homecare pathways. This multi-lot, locality-based model aims to ensure full coverage across the borough, reduce travel time for carers, promote local recruitment, and improve punctuality. The new model will focus on preventative support, person-centred care, and integration with community health and primary care services. The contracts will be for a maximum of four years, with financial implications detailed in an exempt appendix.

Revenue Budget and Council Tax Levels 2026/27

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to recommend the Revenue Budget for 2026/27 to Full Council for approval. This budget includes a 2.99% increase in the Hammersmith & Fulham element of Council Tax and a 2% Adult Social Care precept levy. The budget aims to provide financial resilience and fund essential services, including universal free school breakfasts, the local Law Enforcement Team, and free home care. The Council Tax for a Band D property will be set at £1,519.51. The budget also incorporates a £70 million budget gap in the worst-case scenario, to be addressed through transformation programmes focusing on staffing, income generation, property portfolio optimisation, and technological advancements.

Four Year Capital Programme 2026-30 and Capital Strategy 2026/27

The Cabinet unanimously approved the four-year Capital Programme and Capital Strategy, representing an investment of over £450 million in the borough. This includes £135.5 million for the General Fund Capital Programme (2026/27-2029/30) and £318.8 million for the Housing (HRA) Capital Programme over the same period. Key investments will be made in improving housing stock, upgrading schools, place shaping, regenerating high streets, and enhancing the CCTV network. The Civic Campus is set for a phased opening, starting in February and completing in the summer, with its scheme being significantly lower in cost than the previous administration's inherited plan.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget (2026/27), Rents & Service Charges (2026/27) & HRA 10 Year Business Plan (2026/27 - 2035/36)

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2026/27, including a 4.8% rent increase from 6 April 2026, equating to an average weekly increase of £6.69 for tenants. Service charges will also increase by an average of £1.52 per week. The HRA 10-year Business Plan was also approved, aiming to maintain low rents in London and improve housing stock. Efficiencies are expected from capitalising costs, a new housing company, and staff reorganisation.

School and Early Years Budget (Dedicated Schools Grant) 2026/27

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to approve the final proposed 2026/27 Dedicated Schools Grant budgets for the Schools Block, Central Services Schools Block, and Early Years Block, along with Maintained Nursery Supplement funding. This includes approving the Local Authority formula for resource allocation to schools, the National Funding Formula transitional funding, and a transfer of £1.262m from the schools' block to the high needs block to support special educational needs expenditure.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to approve the Council's proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2026/27. This ensures the Council's borrowing and investment plans are prudent, affordable, and sustainable, in compliance with statutory requirements. The Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, will be delegated authority to manage the Council's cash flow, borrowing, and investments.

Article 4 Direction - Small Houses in Multiple Occupation

The Cabinet unanimously approved the making of an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for the change of use of a property from Class C3 (residential) to Class C4 (small Houses in Multiple Occupation - HMOs). This policy aims to ensure minimum standards are met regarding home and room sizes, parking, cycle storage, and waste collection, responding to concerns from residents and tenants' associations. The Council will commission a £50,000 evidence study to support the direction, with authority delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to make a 'non-immediate' Article 4 Direction. Cabinet approval will be required again in 12 months to confirm the Direction.

Key Decisions List (To Note)

The Cabinet noted the Key Decision List.

The meeting was held on Monday 9 March 2026 at the Clockwork Building, 45 Beavor Lane, W6 9AR. The meeting concluded at 7:42 pm.