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Minutes
CORPORATE RESOURCES & INFRASTRUCTURE
SELECT COMMITTEE
17 June 2026
Meeting held at Committee Room 5 - Civic Centre,
High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW
Committee Members Present:
Councillor Jonathan Bianco (Chair),
Councillor Terence Murray (Vice-Chair),
Councillor Archan Raval,
Councillor Kaushik Banerjee,
Councillor Gursharan Mand (Opposition Lead),
Councillor Raju Sansarpuri,
Councillor Stacey Lucas
Officers Present:
Dan Kennedy – Corporate Director of Residents Services
Ian Thynne – Head of Environmental Planning Specialists
Liam Bentley – Assistant Director for Repairs, Voids & Caretaking
Michael Naughton – Assistant Director of Capital Programme
Glen Martin – Assistant Director for FM, Planned Works & ME Comp
Sam Strong – Assistant Director for Homes & Neighbourhood
Adam Stephenson – Assistant Director for Housing Needs & Homelessness
Mark Braddock – Senior Democratic Services Manager
Ryan Dell – Democratic Services Officer
Councillors Present:
Councillor Sophie Dror
3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (Agenda Item 1)
None.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN MATTERS COMING BEFORE THIS MEETING
(Agenda Item 2)
None.
5. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (Agenda Item 3)
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 07 April 2026 be agreed.
6. MINUTES OF THE AGM (Agenda Item 4)
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the AGM be agreed.
7. TO CONFIRM THAT THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS MARKED AS PART I WILL BE
CONSIDERED IN PUBLIC AND THAT THE ITEMS MARKED AS PART II WILL BE
CONSIDERED IN PRIVATE (Agenda Item 5)
It was confirmed that all matters would be considered in Part I.
8. SERVICES BRIEFINGS (Agenda Item 6)
Officers gave an overview of the services areas in the remit of this Committee.
Planning and Sustainable Growth
The Committee received an overview of the Planning and Sustainable Growth service,
covering its core functions of strategic planning, economic growth, development
management, building control and enforcement.
Strategic planning was described as setting the borough’s long -term vision for growth,
including the identification of locations for housing and employment, infrastructure
planning, and environmental protection. The principal output from the strategic planning
teams was the Local Plan, which set out the vision of how the Borough will grow over
the coming years, alongside more detailed aspects such as the Uxbridge Town Centre
Vision. Strategic planning also involved gathering evidence, for example, on the effect
of hous e building on other public services. This would feed i nto the upcom ing Local
Plan review.
The service also responded to national, regional and partner consultations and secured
developer contributions through Section 106 (S106) agreements and the Community
Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Members were informed that the econo mic growth function focused on delivering the
borough’s growth plan, including town centre regeneration in Hayes and Uxbridge,
increasing revenue through Business Rates and Council Tax, and supporting skills,
training and local businesses.
In terms of development management, approximately 4,000 planning applications were
handled annually, with an emphasis on pre -application engagement paid for by
applicants to ensure policy -compliant development and to balance the needs of the
borough with those of applic ants. It was noted that Hillingdon was one of the busiest
but cheapest planning authorities in London.
Key challenges included proposed changes to national planning policy reducing the
number of applications determined by Planning Committee; increasing pressure on the
borough’s Green Belt to accommodate growth; and the potential implications of
Heathrow expansion alongside the need to deliver significant housing and
infrastructure requirements.
The role of Building Control was to ensure that once constru ction had finished, that it
had been built in line with building regulations. The Building Enforcement function was
there to enforce how things should have been built and constructed.
Private Sector Housing
The Committee received a n overview of the Private Sector Housing function, including
its responsibilities for the inspection and licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation
(HMOs). It was noted that approximately 600 properties in the borough f ell under
mandatory licensing, with a further estimated 1,00 0 properties expected to be captured
under the Council’s additional licensing scheme introduced from 21 May, with
applications required by 23 August. The service also investigate d around 300
complaints annually relating to housing conditions a nd disrepair in the private rented
sector, alongside new duties arising from the Renters’ Rights Act. Members were
further advised of the Council’s role in overseeing high - and medium -rise fire safety
programmes, addressing empty homes to maximise housing stock, and su pporting the
Ukraine resettlement programme.
Housing Needs and Homelessness Service
The Housing Needs and Homelessness Service supported households into
accommodation and managed a wide range of statutory housing functions including the
Homelessness Serv ice; Specialist Homelessness Service; Accommodation Service;
Allocation Service; and Housing Strategy & Policy.
Members were informed that the service manage d significant demand, receiving
approximately 7,000 new cases annually, including around 2,500 fam ily homelessness
applications, 4,000 single homelessness cases, 1,300 households leaving Home Office
accommodation and 500 applications from survivors of domestic abuse, in addition to
an existing caseload of around 1,800 households in tempora ry accommodat ion. The
borough was noted to have a high number of rough sleepers, linked in part to Heathrow
Airport, with commissioned outreach services in place.
The service also procure d and managed accommodation through its Accommodation
Service function, securing around 400 private rented sector homes per year and
overseeing approximately 1,000 households in nightly paid temporary accommodation,
alongside housing for specific cohorts supported by Government resettlement
schemes. The service also provided accommodation to families and adults where there
was a social care duty to do so.
The Committee was advised that the service manage d the statutory function of the
Housing Register, with around 3,000 applicants at any one time. There were
approximately 600 lettings per year, supported by an acquisitions programme to
increase supply. It also deliver ed housing advice, maintain ed statutory strategies and
policies, and overs aw significant financial and staffing resources. Anyone in the
Borough was entitled to a basic le vel of housing advice, through the statutory housing
advice function. Strategies and Policies included the Homelessness Strategy and
Rough Sleeping Strategy.
When fully staffed, the service had over 100 staff and spent about £5 million on salary;
about £6 million on PRS incentives; and about £20 million on temporary
accommodation (net). Hillingdon received approximately £7 million in grant funding to
contribute to these services.
A major modernisation programme was underway, driven by the MTF S programme
and the need to reduce the cost and use of temporary accommodation, with
workstreams focused on prevention, increasing access to private rented housing,
supporting move -on arrangements, controlling costs and expanding social housing
supply. The service had undergone a restructure to help deliver the MTFS programme,
looking to strengthen the service, increase the number of staff, and increase the
number of caseworkers. Officers also wanted to improve the resident experience ,
reduce the number of complaints and inquiries, and improve operational performance
to make the service more efficient.
There were two new IT systems under development. One to manage cases and one to
manage temporary accommodation. Going forward there would be more work with
Children’s Se rvices to develop housing pathways for young people, including those
leaving care.
Challenges highlighted included increasing demand, reliance on interim staff (currently
over 50%), recruitment and retention pressures, the need to improve res ident
experience, and the review of commissioned services and IT systems to ensure they
remained fit for purpose.
Housing Revenue Account (HRA)
Members were advised that the HRA was a ring -fenced account, separate from the
General Fund, generating approximately £96 -97 million in rental income which was
reinvested into services for around 10,000 -13,000 residents and the management of
housing assets. The service undert ook a significant volume of activity, delivering
approximately 38,000 -40,000 repairs annua lly, with 92% completed within target
timescales. Over 99% of 7,6000 emergency repairs were completed on time.
The Committee was informed of the service’s key priorities, including making sure
homes were safe and secure, achieving a financially sustainable HRA, mainta ining
compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing, and improving service quality.
Following a recent regulatory inspection, the Council received a C2 grading with a clear
ambition to achieve at least a C1 rating. Good progress was being made, and the
Regulator had reduced the frequency of meetings with officers from monthly to bi -
monthly. Progress ha d also been made in reducing non -decent homes from around
30% to 14%, with a target of 5% by 2028. The service also aimed to improve its
visibility and accessibility, and its co-production of services with residents.
Members heard that the service ha d undergone restructuring to strengthen frontline
delivery, including increasing officer capacity, reducing patch sizes, and introducing
tenancy sustainment roles to support residents and prevent homelessness. There was
also a strong focus on enhancing resident engagement and co -production, with
expanded tenant panels and greater resident involvement in governance and service
design.
On tenancy engagement, offic ers highlighted a recent resident conference, which was
currently the most viewed Council item on YouTube. This conference was resident led
and resident delivered.
Key areas of ongoing focus include d improving anti -social behaviour services,
increasing re sident satisfaction, embedding new operating models, and investing in
systems and data to support performance and efficiency. It was also noted that the
service was working closely with the Regulator, with reduced oversight reflecting
growing confidence in progress made.
Capital Programme and Property & Estates
Members were advised that the Capital Programme deliver ed major new build s and
renovations across the Council’s estate, alongside asset data management, party wall
matters, and the provision of design and construction advice.
Recent projects included the successful delivery of the Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre
in West Drayton, which had been completed following contractor failure. The Centre
had already surpassed its yearly target of 1,000 membe rships. Other recent projects
included the development of a satellite SEND provision for Meadow High School in
Harefield, and ongoing condition works across schools, including fire safety, roofing
and boiler upgrades.
The Committee was advised of progress on a range of housing developments, such as
the Hayes Regeneration ( including Cherwell Court in the Avondale Estate, and
Seabrook Court in Hayes Town Centre) and projects underway in Yiewsley ( Otterfield
Road and Falling Lane) and Northwood Hills (Hayden Drive), as well as heritage works
at Cranford Park.
Forthcoming schemes included Grays Road, Uxbridge and Broadwater Lake ( planning
permission recently granted for a replacement for the HOAC facility that was removed
due to HS2).
Members were informed t hat all projects were delivered with a focus on cost control,
value for money, programme management and build quality, recognising the Council’s
long-term role as asset owner.
In addition, the Property & Estates function was outlined, including responsibi lities for
managing leases and licences, commercial rents, acquisitions and purchases of
required properties, sales and disposals of surplus properties, and securing funding
(i.e. grants) for new developments.
Officers outlined some further o ngoing works including decarbonisation, contributing to
warmer, safer homes, reducing heating bills, and reducing fuel poverty. There was also
a window repair programme.
Officers noted that there had been a reduction of about 3,700 repairs reports compared
to the previous year.
RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the update
9. INTRODUCTION TO OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY (Agenda Item 7)
Note: This item was taken before item 6.
Officers gave an introduction to Overview & Scrutiny. It was noted th at this Committee
had three new Members following the local elections, and that fresh insights were
particularly valuable.
Officers explained that Democratic Services would assist with support and coordination
of the work programme and reviews to keep the work focused , manageable and
impactful.
Overview & Scrutiny was about democratic accountability, providing checks and
balances, holding the Cabinet to account, and helping to ensure that decisions and
services reflected the needs and experiences of residents and communities.
The Committee would have an opportunity to make a difference, influencing decisions
and driving improvement across a wide range of internal and resident -focused Council
services. The remit of this Committee included key strategic matters such as Heathrow
Airport, the Growth agenda and HS2.
The Cabinet Forward Plan showed upcoming Cabinet decision s, which the Committee
would keep under review.
The Work Programme was an evolving document that would shape the work of the
Committee over the coming months.
RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report
10. FORWARD PLAN (Agenda Item 8)
The Chair explained that the Forward Plan was a monthly schedule of upcoming
Cabinet decisions.
Some of these items could be added to the Work Programme.
Officers advised that the latest Forward Plan had been published today, and updates
included the Growth Plan which had been added to the Forward Plan for July Cabinet,
and several Conservation Area Appraisals which had been added later in the year.
The updated Forward Plan would be shared with Members.
RESOLVED: That the Committee considered the Cabinet Forward Plan
11. WORK PROGRAMME (Agenda Item 9)
The Chair introduced the Work Programme, which included upcoming meeting dates.
Officers advised that items in yellow were review -related items, and those in green
were regular service reports.
The Chair advised that some items for regular review included the Building Safety
Strategy and Fire Safety in Council premises.
RESOLVED: That the Committee considered the Multi-Year Work Programme
The meeting, which commenced at 7.00 pm, closed at 7.55 pm.
These are the minutes of the above meeting. For more information on any of the
resolutions please contact Ryan Dell on democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk. Circulation of
these minutes is to Councillors, officers, the Press and Members of the Public.
Text extracted automatically from the PDF, so layout, tables and images are not shown. Open the original PDF on LB Hillingdon’s website.