The Cabinet of Hounslow Council met on Monday 16 March 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting the borough. Key decisions included approving the procurement for Extra Care housing services, the regeneration delivery plan for Charlton House and Albany Estate, and the Convent Way Delivery Strategy. The Cabinet also noted updates on the Digital Strategy, SEND and Alternative Provision Programme, and the Hounslow School Organisation Plan.

Quarterly Performance Reporting 2025-26 (Q3)

Cabinet noted the corporate performance report for Quarter 3 (October to December 2025). This report provides an overview of the Council's performance against its Corporate Plan, Ambitious for Hounslow, and highlights progress made in delivering key service indicators. The measures reported are tied to the Council's priorities of a greener, healthier, cleaner, thriving, safer, and more liveable Hounslow.

Delivery Plan Monitoring 2025-26 (Q3)

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Strategy, Resources and External Affairs, introduced the report on the Delivery Plan Monitoring for Quarter 3 of 2025-26. Cabinet noted the progress made across the People, Place, Capital, and Digital Portfolios. The report indicated that most programmes and projects are progressing well, with a majority rated as Green or Amber. Several programmes have closed, and one was recommended for closure. No programmes were rated as Red. Key achievements included the opening of Meadowbank Community Hub and Library, the launch of a new marketing campaign for fostering, the rollout of digitised resident-facing processes, and significant progress on regeneration projects like Charlton and Albany House. Risks related to external dependencies, market conditions, and planning approvals were highlighted as ongoing challenges.

Update on progress of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Programme and Safety Valve

Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet member for Education, Children, Skills & Employment, presented the update on the SEND and AP Programme and the Safety Valve initiative. Cabinet noted the significant progress made since the Strategic Business Case was approved in December 2023. Key outcomes highlighted included improved information and guidance for families through new Local Offer and SENDIASS websites, earlier support for needs through the Mainstream Inclusion Partnership (MIP) and SEN Inclusion Funding (SENIF), and transparent funding for EHCPs. More children are being educated within the borough, with an increase in mainstream placements for children with SEND. Cabinet approved the extension of the programme until the end of October 2026 to focus on a thematic approach to inclusion and to feed into the SEND Reform Plan. The work of the programme will transition to Business as Usual in October 2026.

Sustainable Drainage Schemes (SuDS) for the Borough

Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet member for Climate, Environment and Transport, presented the report on Sustainable Drainage Schemes (SuDS) for the Borough. Cabinet noted the progress of the Flood Alleviation Programme, including the delivery of SuDS. They agreed the Hounslow Flood Alleviation Programme Strategic Business Case and the North West Hounslow Stansfield Road Outline Business Case. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director Finance and Resources to approve the implementation of schemes that have secured funding and their addition to the general fund capital programme. Authority was also delegated to the Executive Director Strategy and Transformation to enter into funding agreements with third-party funders and to procure and award contracts for scheme delivery.

Emergency Planning/ Resilience Update

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, presented the update on Resilience and Emergency Planning. Cabinet noted the Hounslow Resilience Standards for London Self-Assessment, which indicated that 10 out of 11 standards are 'Established', with 'Community Resilience' rated as 'Developing'. Actions taken to fulfil the Council's duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 were noted. Cabinet also formally adopted The Charter for Families Bereaved through Public Tragedy, providing a framework for supporting bereaved families and the community in the aftermath of a major incident.

Commissioning Extra Care

Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Health Integration, presented the report on the commissioning of Extra Care housing services. Cabinet authorised the commencement of procurement for the reconfiguration and retendering of care and support services for four extra care housing schemes, with a total eight-year budget of £38,520,445. They also authorised the procurement of a catering service for one extra care scheme with a total eight-year budget of £2.4 million. Authority was delegated to the Director of ICP and Commissioning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Health Integration, to agree the final configuration of services and to negotiate, agree terms, and award the contracts.

Hounslow School Organisation Plan 2026-30

Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet member for Education, Children, Skills & Employment, presented the update on the Hounslow School Organisation Plan. Cabinet approved the key themes for the Plan, taking into account engagement findings, and the Communication Strategy. They also noted the next steps for the School Organisation Plan 2026-30, including projects on communication, Schools Asset Review, and SEND Provision. Furthermore, Cabinet noted temporary changes to create additional SEND places from September 2026 at Cavendish Primary, Wellington Primary, and The Cedars Primary Special School, with permanent requirements to be set out in the full plan. Changes to Secondary Academy Schools to create additional places through Resource Provisions for SEND from September 2026 at Springwest Academy, Lift Kingsley, Gumley Girls School, and Chiswick School were also noted.

Digital Strategy and Digital Inclusion Commitment Update

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat presented the update on the Digital Strategy and Digital Inclusion Commitment. Cabinet noted the delivery of the Digital Strategy and the Digital Inclusion Commitment, highlighting achievements over the past 24 months in digital platforms, digital inclusion initiatives, workforce training, and fibre connectivity expansion.

Award of Contract for Procurement of Temporary Staff

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat presented the report on the award of a contract for the procurement of temporary staff. Cabinet agreed to award a contract for the provision of temporary staff to Adecco UK Ltd under the ESPO MSTAR 4 framework for a period of four years, starting 1 May 2026, with a total estimated contract value of £40 million.

Charlton House and Albany Estate Regeneration Delivery Plan

Councillor Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, presented the report on the Charlton House and Albany Estate Regeneration Delivery Plan. Cabinet approved the direct delivery of the scheme to provide 182 homes for Council rent, plus ground floor commercial space. They also approved a total scheme budget for the construction phase and its addition to the HRA Council House Building capital programme. Authority was delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Economic Growth to approve and award contracts for a main contractor and professional advisors, subject to the construction costs remaining within the approved budget envelope.

Convent Way Delivery Strategy

Councillor Tom Bruce also presented the Convent Way Delivery Strategy. Cabinet approved the objectives for the redevelopment of Convent Way Estate and the recommended option for delivery through a contractual development partnership. They approved an allocation of up to £1.68m from the HRA Council housing building capital programme contingency budget for technical advisors and consultant services. Authority was also given to commence procurement of a development partner and approved, in principle, the use of compulsory purchase powers to secure vacant possession of the site. The Convent Way Engagement Strategy was also approved.

Learning Disability Supported Living Procurement

Councillor Lily Bath presented the report on the Learning Disability Supported Living Procurement. Cabinet authorised the commencement of procurement to reconfigure and retender Learning Disabilities Supported Living services for a contract period of five years, with an option to extend for three years, totalling a contract value of £36,252,518. Authority was delegated to the Director of Commissioning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Health Integration, to agree the final configuration of services and to negotiate, agree terms, and award the contracts.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Members resolved that the press and public be asked to leave the meeting during the discussion of the remaining items of business due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.

Exempt Appendices and Other Items

Cabinet noted the exempt appendices relating to Commissioning Extra Care, Convent Way Delivery Strategy, and Charlton House and Albany Estate Regeneration Delivery Plan. No urgent exempt business was raised.

Date of Next Meeting

Cabinet members noted that the next scheduled meeting was Tuesday 30 June 2026 from 7pm.