Council decisions

That Cabinet: 1. Approves that Appendices 2 and 3 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). 2. Resolves that the Avonmore school land is no longer required for the purposes for which it is currently held. 3. Approves the appropriation of the Avonmore school land “Yellow Land” (see Appendix 1 – Site plans 1 and 2 of the land to be appropriated) from education purposes, in which it is currently held, to planning purposes pursuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972. 4. Delegates authority to the Executive Director of People, the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Education and the Director of Legal Services to negotiate and secure the release of any third party rights voluntarily by the payment of compensation and entering into a Deed of Release where this can be achieved on reasonable terms within a reasonable timescale. 5. Delegates authority to the Executive Director of Finance, in consultation with the Executive Director of People, the Executive Director of Place, the Cabinet Member for Children and Education and the Director of Legal Services to carry out such steps as are necessary to effect and record the related accounting transactions to the General Fund account and the Housing and Revenue account respectively. 6. Approves the use of the Council’s powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (“HPA 2016”), where necessary, to override any easement, covenants and other rights in respect of the Yellow Land, including authorisation to take all necessary steps required in relation to any associated claims for compensation under section 204 of the HPA 2016 and other legal agreements to enable the Development. 7. Following the appropriation for planning purposes, approves the appropriation of the Avonmore school land as shown in Appendix 1 – Site Plans 1 & 2 of the land to be appropriated (“the Yellow Land”): a) that part of the land hatched blue comprising the new Avonmore School back to education purposes; and b) that part of the land hatched pink comprising the 39 new affordable homes (21 social rent and 18 shared ownership) located in Block B for housing purposes (and in accounting terms transfer to the Housing Revenue Account from the General Fund), in accordance with section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 or section 232 of the TCPA 1990 as appropriate. 8. Approves the transfer of 6 Affordable Housing Units (social rent) in Block A within the land shown hatched green as shown in Appendix 1 – Site Plans 1 & 2 from planning purposes for housing and to the HRA (following the sale of the 46 private sale homes on the open market). 9. Approves the budget adjustment in Appendix 3 – Exempt Financial Adjustments, which is due to the uplift in construction inflation This figure is offset based on receipt of additional allocation of grant and adjustments due to programme alterations.

This Council recognises the damage that Brexit has done to the economy, businesses and living standards in Hammersmith & Fulham and across the country. It further recognises that Brexit has harmed the prospects of a generation of young people in the borough who have been denied the right to work and travel freely across Europe and caused deep pain to the thousands of EU citizens who we are proud to have as our neighbours. This Council deplores those in the Conservative Party, and the various far right parties led by Nigel Farage, who advocated for an economically illiterate hard Brexit while promising a better economy and misinforming voters about the inevitable devastating consequences. The Council firmly believes that Britain's role is not just in the European Union but in leading the European Union and resolves to continue making the case for us to rejoin while making the borough a welcoming place for our European neighbours.

This Council notes that: Hammersmith & Fulham Council closed Hammersmith Bridge to motor vehicle traffic on 10 April 2019 after the Labour administration undertook the first ever Comprehensive Structural Integrity Review to determine the safety of the suspension structure which had opened in 1887. That review uncovered over 70 years of decay and unchecked corrosion which had left Hammersmith Bridge in a state of immediate risk of ‘catastrophic collapse’ into the river Thames. The Council recognises that the nature of the decay was so comprehensive and complex that every part of the Grade II* listed heritage structure needs to be replaced or repaired for it to be made safe for 21 st century traffic road and river traffic. The bill for a full repair of Hammersmith Bridge is around £300m. That is additional to the £58m Hammersmith & Fulham Council has already spent the best part of. To provide context to that £58m sum, it is insightful to note figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government which detail how between 2010 and 2021 all London councils spent a total of just £100m on the maintenance and repair of all London road and river bridges. Even then, most of that money was eventually paid by Transport for London (TfL) or the Government. Given the huge amount of funding required to fix Hammersmith Bridge, Hammersmith & Fulham Council have applied for financial support from the government. There have been several funding bids: o H&F Council and TfL initially applied to the Conservative government for funding on three separate occasions immediately after the bridge’s closure; December 2019, February 2020, and June 2020. All three bids were rejected by the Conservative government. o The Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was established by the Conservative government on 9 September 2020. It was meant to consider funding options but the Conservative government blocked all discussion of funding from appearing on the agenda for over a year. Eventually, the solution proposed by Baroness Vere, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and chair of the Taskforce was to ask Hammersmith & Fulham Council to submit a new comprehensive funding application in line with HM Treasury’s Green Book Five Case Model. Hammersmith & Fulham Council submitted the first parts of its extensive business case to the Department for Transport (DfT) for advice and comments on 11 December 2022. The final business case was then formally submitted on 31 March 2023. However, the Conservative government refused to properly engage in the matter: a. The business case was presented to the DfT’s Investment Portfolio Delivery Committee (IPDC) on 19 June 2023. They requested further information. It was resubmitted and tabled for the IPDC on 20 November 2023. b. The IPDC dropped the business case from its 20 November agenda with the explanation it had to consider “more time-critical decisions”. c. The IPDC then confirmed that the business case was on the agenda for its 8 January 2024 meeting. d. But that was pulled. The explanation was that DfT officials had not met “conditions” at their end. e. DfT official advised that successive Conservative transport ministers did not want to authorise the business case for political reasons. There was no practical engagement on the business case from the Conservative government after that. o On 15 April 2026, the Labour government launched the Department for Transport's £1 billion Structures Fund. Hammersmith & Fulham Council formally submitted a funding bid for a "phased repair" of Hammersmith Bridge. The estimated budget for the phased works is £128m, which focuses on keeping the 139-year-old crossing safely operational but exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists, and river traffic. The government’s Structures Fund requires all programmes to be completed by 31 March 2030, making the timeframe too short for a full vehicular restoration. The Council notes with disgust that Hammersmith & Fulham Conservative councillors and the former Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham have evidently only ever seen the unique challenges with Hammersmith Bridge as an opportunity to circulate deliberately misleading nonsense and whip up public anger. The Council recalls many examples of this which go back 7 years to 2019 and all the way up until the recent local elections in 2026. Some of the local Conservative ill-judged actions include: o On 21 May 2019, 41 days after the bridge closed, Sir Greg Hands, the former MP for Chelsea and Fulham told Parliament, “It’s about time the council got on with repairing the bridge and re-opening it” and went on to indicate that the Council did not need any government funding because it “had a very good financial settlement”. Sir Greg refused all offers of a briefing on the matter despite it affecting thousands of his constituents. It was wrong for Sir Greg to say that the Council was not working to repair Hammersmith Bridge. o On 1 August 2019, Sir Greg Hands told a public meeting that he had advised Grant Shapps, the then Secretary of State for Transport, NOT to provide any funds to Hammersmith & Fulham Council for the repair of Hammersmith Bridge. o On 2 February 2026 Hammersmith & Fulham Conservatives published an article on their website which told the public they could build, “a temporary 'military style' bridge just north of the existing bridge, for between £10-£20 million while works are to be carried out on the bridge.” The article quoted Opposition Leader Councillor Jose Afonso. o However, on 6 July 2026, when Councillor Jose Afonso attended the Borough’s Cabinet meeting to discuss the agenda item on Hammersmith Bridge, he was unable to remember how much his temporary 'military style' bridge would cost, where it would attach to the land in Richmond or Hammersmith or how long it would take to build. It was evident he had not understood or taken seriously his own Hammersmith Bridge plan. The Council notes that the Conservative ministers had previously made similarly ridiculous claims that they could build a temporary bridge for a very small sum of public money. Those claims were quickly dropped when their Taskforce reviewed the facts. The Council agrees that Hammersmith Bridge is an important matter that affects the lives and businesses of people across South East England. They deserve to have all elected representatives speak honestly about the facts and possible options. The Council therefore deplores the Conservatives’ long record of deliberately misleading political tomfoolery on Hammersmith Bridge and calls on them to apologise for seeking to sabotage government support for funding of the full repair scheme during the tenure of the recent Conservative government. The Council notes the dire state of UK public finances inherited by the Labour government two years ago. In particular how in July 2024 when the Labour government was elected, Britain had a £2.8 trillion debt, which was close to 100% of UK GDP. While in contrast to May 2010 when David Cameron’s government inherited a £1.2 trillion public sector net debt - which roughly represented about 67% of UK Gross Domestic Product. The Council also appreciates other funding needs such as the NHS and our national defence. The Council therefore recognises the obvious challenges of raising £300m after fourteen years of Conservative-LibDem, then Conservative government mismanagement. The Council agrees that it is for TfL and those councils that are south of the river to develop and fund transport solutions for their residents and businesses. The Council notes that DfT count data demonstrates that traffic on the roads and bridges surrounding Hammersmith Bridge has reduced significantly and agrees to build on Hammersmith Bridge’s active travel success.

To note the Governments Spending Review settlement secured a £1bn Structures Fund to repair run down roads, bridges and other infrastructure across the country. This is the only funding option available at this time to repair Hammersmith Bridge and if a bid were successful, it would provide a phased repair approach focused on the most critical life-expired elements of the structure, with the immediate aim of keeping the bridge open and safeguarding access for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic. To endorse phased repair as the Council’s current strategic approach for Hammersmith Bridge, with the immediate objective of safeguarding continued access for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic while minimising the Council’s future liabilities. Cabinet approval is required before any actions are taken to pursue funding to achieve strengthening that would permit motor vehicles to use the bridge. Any consideration about strengthening must be taken based on an objective assessment of transport need including traffic flow information and build on the bridge’s active travel success. To authorise the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Travel, to approve the Bid for phased repair through the Structures Fund. To delegate to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member to determine what, if any, local funding should form part of the bid. To delegate to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member the completion of a procurement strategy to enable delivery of any successful bid to the Structures Fund. To approve an annual revenue budget of £1.5m from 2026/27 to meet the Council’s ongoing statutory and safety obligations for monitoring, inspection and maintenance of Hammersmith Bridge as a substandard structure, unless and until external funding is secured that removes or materially reduces this requirement. To note the continuing discussions with the DfT and TfL regarding recovery of contributions previously expected from those parties in respect of stabilisation and related bridge costs already incurred or committed by the Council, and to require a further report to Cabinet on the outcome of those discussions.

That Cabinet approve the draft Local Plan Regulation 19 (Appendix 1) and supporting documents for a six-week consultation period under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. That Cabinet give delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Property, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Economy to: a) make any necessary editorial amendments and minor changes to the Local Plan and supporting documents (as set out in the appendices to this report) prior to consultation b) at the conclusion of consultation period (and once the Local Plan is ready for independent examination) to take such steps as are necessary to submit the Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination in Public, together with the responses received and associated documents in accordance with Town and Country Planning Regulations 2012. c) to deal with any matters arising from the publication of the draft Local Plan and / or matters arising in the course of the public examination. That Cabinet note that the evidence base documents (listed in this report) will be published alongside the regulation 19 Local Plan.

To note the General Fund underspend of £0.375m, and an underspend of £0.6m on the Housing Revenue Account for 2025/26. To note the transfer of the net underspend balances for both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account to their respective general balances (as set out in paragraph 3 and 6 of the report). To note the increase of the Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block deficit and the remaining cumulative deficit of £0.301m.

To note an aggregate capital outturn of £190m for 2025/26 To note the capital outturn for the General Fund for 2025/26 of £64m against a Q3 budget for GF of £72m To note the Capital Financial Requirement of £338m for the General Fund for 2025/26 and the sources of financing. To note the capital outturn for the HRA for 2025/26 of £126m against a Q3 budget for HRA of £148m To note the Capital Financial Requirement of £559m for the HRA for 2025/26 and the sources of financing.

That the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2026/27 as set out in the report and attached as Appendix 1, be approved. That the Members’ basic allowance be uplifted taking into consideration the Independent Renumeration Panel’s recommendation but setting the allowance at £14,364 which is 10% below the allowance recommended by the Independent Panel. That the Members’ special responsibility allowance be uplifted taking into consideration the Independent Renumeration Panel’s recommendation but setting each position 10-20% below the allowance recommended by the Independent Panel. That the Co-opted Members and Independent Persons allowances be uplifted in line with the Local Government pay settlement for employees. That the recommendations of the Independent Panel on the remuneration of Councillors in London (January 2024) outlined in Appendix 2 be noted. To approve Members’ access to the Local Government Pension Scheme from June 2026.

That Cabinet notes that Appendices 1, 2 and 3 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). That Cabinet approves the award of a contract to Turning Point for the delivery of an integrated substance misuse service (to include drugs, alcohol and smoking cessation), for a further two-year period from 1st April 2026 to 31 st March 2028. The value of the two-year term is £5,850,000.

To note the overall forecast of £220.8m for 2025/26 capital expenditure which is a net decrease of £45m in comparison to the revised budget of £265.3m at Q2 2025/26. To approve a total additional investment of £3.7m across the revised four-year programme, including new additional borrowing, the details of this investment are set out in Appendix 1. To approve the updated four-year capital programme for 2025-2029 of £657.776m, as detailed in the report. This is a net increase of £3.7m in comparison to the forecast four-year programme as at Q2 2025/26 (£654.026m).

To note that Appendices 1-6 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). To note the status of the companies and limited liability partnerships (LLP). To approve the closure of LBHF Ventures Ltd.

1. To approve publication of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham’s Enhanced Biodiversity Duty Report (2024–2026) to meet statutory reporting requirements under the Environment Act 2021. 2. To endorse the biodiversity priorities and monitoring approach for 2026–2030, including integration with the forthcoming London Local Nature Recovery Strategy. 3. To note that delivery of future biodiversity actions will be met within existing budgets, supplemented by external funding such as the Green Investment Fund, S106, and GLA programmes.

1. To note that Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). 2. To approve the procurement strategy set out in this report. The contracts to be awarded through a closed framework for a maximum of four years. The financial implications are set out in exempt Appendix 1.

That Full Council agreed, for the reasons set out in this report and appendices: 1. To note the three-year settlement numbers for the General Fund, covering 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29 2. To approve a balanced budget for 2026/27 as set out in the report, including the underlying principles and assumptions. 3. To increase the Hammersmith & Fulham element of Council Tax by 2.99% as modelled by the Government in its spending power calculations for local government. 4. To apply the Adult Social Care precept levy of 2% as modelled bythe Government in its spending power calculations for local government. 5. To approve fees and charges, as set out in Appendix E, including freezing charges in adult social care and children’s services, 6. To approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and to note the impact of funding reform from 2026/27 onwards, and budget projections to 2029/30 made by the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services in consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team. (Appendix B) 7. To note the statement of the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates (paragraph 69). 8. To approve the reserves strategy and forecast as set out in Appendix G. 9. To require all Directors to report on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report timetable. 10. To authorise Directors to implement their service spending plans for 2026/27 in accordance with the recommendations within this report, the council’s Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, relevant Schemes of Delegation and undertake any further consultation required regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment. 11. Set the council’s element of Council Tax for 2026/27 for each category of dwelling, as outlined in the table below and in full in Appendix A and calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of the Localism Act 2011. Category of Dwelling A B C D E F G H Ratio 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 H&F (£) 672.67 784.78 896.89 1,009.00 1,233.22 1,457.44 1,681.67 2018.00 12. To note, based on the Mayor of London’s draft consolidated budget, the element of Council Tax to be charged by the Greater London Authority in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each of the categories of dwellings as shown in the table below. Category of Dwelling A B C D E F G H Ratio 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 b) GLA (£) 340.34 397.06 453.79 510.51 623.96 737.40 850.85 1,021.02 13. That the overall Council Tax to be set at £1,519.51 per Band D property as follows: Category of Dwelling A B C D E F G H Ratio 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 a) H&F (£) 672.67 784.78 896.89 1009.00 1,233.22 1,457.44 1,681.67 2018.00 b) GLA (£) 340.34 397.06 453.79 510.51 623.96 737.40 850.85 1,021.02 c) Total (£) 1,013.01 1,181.84 1,350.68 1,519.51 1,857.18 2,194.84 2,532.52 3,039.02 14. To authorise the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services to collect and recover National Non-Domestic Rate and Council Tax in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended), the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. 15. To note the Council’s estimated position on the Collection Fund (as set out in paragraph 60). 16. To note the performance on the management of arrears across the Council on all debts due (as set out from paragraph 71).

To approve the four-year General Fund Capital Programme budget of £135.5m for the period 2026/27-2029/30 detailed in Appendix 1. 2. To approve rolling programmes included within this four-year Strategy. These are perennial capital investments required across the Borough to keep items of public infrastructure in good working condition. Programme 4-Year Budget £m Corporate Planned Maintenance 12.4 Footways and Carriageways 7.5 Column Replacement 1.4 Total 21.3 3. To delegate approval of the detailed programmes for use of the rolling programmes, in recommendation 2, to the relevant SLT Director in consultation with the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services and the relevant Lead Cabinet Member. To approve the four-year Housing (HRA) Capital Programme of £318.8m for the period 2026/27-2029/30 as set out in Appendix 1. To approve the Capital Strategy 2026/27, as set out in the report. To approve the annual Minimum Revenue Provision policy statement for 2026/27.

It is recommended that: Approval is given to the future borrowing and investment strategies as outlined in this report. The Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, be delegated authority to manage the Council’s cash flow, borrowing and investments in 2026/27 in line with this report. In relation to the Council’s overall borrowing for the financial year, to approve the Prudential Indicators as set out in this report and the revised Annual Investment Strategy set out in Appendix E.

To note that Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). To approve the Business Case contained in Appendix 4 and to give in principal approval for the establishment of a Joint Venture between Hammersmith & Fulham Council with the identified partner organisation set out in Appendix 5 with the purpose of delivering Managed Service Temporary and Interim staffing services across all council departments and services. The initial term of the JV will be for a period of six (6) years, with an option to extend by a further period of four (4) years. To establish the JV as an LLP. To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Finance & Corporate Services and Director of Legal Service in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform , to agree the JV agreement, ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. To provide updates to key stakeholders at key stages following approval.

That Cabinet considered the report, and made the following recommendations to Full Council for approval, for the reasons set out in this report and appendices: 1. To note the three-year settlement numbers for the General Fund, covering 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29 2. To approve a balanced budget for 2026/27 as set out in the report, including the underlying principles and assumptions. 3. To increase the Hammersmith & Fulham element of Council Tax by 2.99% as modelled by the Government in its spending power calculations for local government. 4. To apply the Adult Social Care precept levy of 2% as modelled bythe Government in its spending power calculations for local government. 5. To approve fees and charges, as set out in Appendix E, including freezing charges in adult social care and children’s services. 6. To approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and to note the impact of funding reform from 2026/27 onwards, and budget projections to 2029/30 made by the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services in consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team. (Appendix B). 7. To note the statement of the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates. 8. To approve the reserves strategy and forecast as set out in Appendix G. 9. To require all Directors to report on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report timetable. 10. To authorise Directors to implement their service spending plans for 2026/27 in accordance with the recommendations within this report, the council’s Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, relevant Schemes of Delegation and undertake any further consultation required regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment. 11. Set the council’s element of Council Tax for 2026/27 for each category of dwelling, as outlined in the table below and in full in Appendix A and calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of the Localism Act 2011. Category of Dwelling A B C D E F G H Ratio 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 H&F (£) 672.67 784.78 896.89 1,009.00 1,233.22 1,457.44 1,681.67 2018.00 12. To note, based on the Mayor of London’s draft consolidated budget, the element of Council Tax to be charged by the Greater London Authority in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each of the categories of dwellings as shown in the table below. Category of Dwelling A B C D E F G H Ratio 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 b) GLA (£) 340.34 397.06 453.79 510.51 623.96 737.40 850.85 1,021.02 13. That the overall Council Tax to be set at £1,519.51 per Band D property as follows: Category of Dwelling A B C D E F G H Ratio 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 a) H&F (£) 672.67 784.78 896.89 1009.00 1,233.22 1,457.44 1,681.67 2018.00 b) GLA (£) 340.34 397.06 453.79 510.51 623.96 737.40 850.85 1,021.02 c) Total (£) 1,013.01 1,181.84 1,350.68 1,519.51 1,857.18 2,194.84 2,532.52 3,039.02 14. To authorise the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services to collect and recover National Non-Domestic Rate and Council Tax in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended), the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. 15. To note the Council’s estimated position on the Collection Fund (as set out in paragraph 60). 16. To note the performance on the management of arrears across the Council on all debts due (as set out from paragraph 71).

To approve the four-year General Fund Capital Programme budget of £135.5m for the period 2026/27-2029/30 detailed in Appendix 1. 2. To approve rolling programmes included within this four-year Strategy. These are perennial capital investments required across the Borough to keep items of public infrastructure in good working condition. Programme 4-Year Budget £m Corporate Planned Maintenance 12.4 Footways and Carriageways 7.5 Column Replacement 1.4 Total 21.3 3. To delegate approval of the detailed programmes for use of the rolling programmes, in recommendation 2, to the relevant SLT Director in consultation with the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services and the relevant Lead Cabinet Member. To approve the four-year Housing (HRA) Capital Programme of £318.8m for the period 2026/27-2029/30 as set out in Appendix 1. To approve the Capital Strategy 2026/27, as set out in the report. To approve the annual Minimum Revenue Provision policy statement for 2026/27.

That Cabinet agreed: To approve the Housing Revenue Account 2026/27 budget for council homes as set out in Table 1. To approve the HRA 10-year Business Plan for Council Homes (2026/27 – 2035/36) as set out in paragraphs 3 - 4 of this report and Appendices 1 - 5. To approve a rent increase of 4.8% from 6 April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI+1%), which equates to an average weekly increase for tenants of £6.69 in 2026/27. To approve an increase to shared ownership rents of 4.8% from 1 April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI+1%). To approve changes to tenant service charges to reflect the costs of providing communal services from 6 April 2026, which equate to an average weekly increase for tenants of £1.52in 2026/27. To approve a reduction to charges for heating and hot water to reflect the costs of provision of the district heating service from April 2026, which equate to an average weekly reduction for tenants and leaseholders on the scheme of £0.29 (communal heating), £1.27 (tenants’ personal heating) and £2.08 (leaseholders’ personal heating) in 2026/27. To approve an increase to the management fee for temporary on licence properties of 3.8% (in line with September 2025 CPI) from 6 April 2026. To approve an increase to the rent and service charges for hostels of 4.8% from 6 April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI+1%). To increase garage charges for council tenants, resident leaseholders, and for other customers from 6 April 2026 by 3.8% (in line with September 2025 CPI). To note that any change to parking charges on housing estates were considered separately with the Council’s parking plans at Cabinet in January 2026. To increase car space rental charges for all customers by 3.8% from April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI) . To approve an increase in the Leasehold After Sale – Home Buy fees by 3.8% from April 2026 from £237 to £246 (in line with September 2025 CPI). To approve an increase in the Leasehold Property Alterations fees by 3.8% from April 2026.

1. Schools Block Dedicated Schools Grant Budget 2026/27 Financial Year: To approve the Local Authority formula for allocating resources to Hammersmith & Fulham schools for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 1, the Authority Proforma Tool (APT) for setting school budgets. To approve the National Funding Formula (NFF) transitional funding formula factor rates (as set out in Appendix 1) as the basis for calculating the 2026/27 schools funding formula, together with a minus 0.5% per pupil Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) protection for individual schools versus 2025/26 levels with respect to pupil led funding. To approve the transfer of £1.262m being 1.0% of the total schools' block allocation from the schools' block to the high needs block in the 2026/27 financial year. This is to support high needs education expenditure for special educational needs in Hammersmith and Fulham and follows Minister of State approval received on 9 th January 2026. To approve de-delegation budgets of £0.564m for maintained mainstream schools only as confirmed by Schools Forum on 20 January 2026 . To approve the education functions budgets of £0.285m for maintained mainstream schools only, as confirmed by Schools Forum on 20 January 2026 . 2. Central Services Schools Block Budget 2026/27. To approve the proposed budget allocation for Central Services Schools Block DSG totalling £1.758m. 3. Early Years Block Budget 2026/27 To approve the proposed budget allocation for Early Years Block Dedicated Schools Grant of £24.854m based on the provisional funding allocation December 2025. To approve the allocation of Maintained Nursery School Supplementary Funding of £0.991m based on the provisional funding allocation December 2025.

It is recommended that: Approval is given to the future borrowing and investment strategies as outlined in this report. The Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, be delegated authority to manage the Council’s cash flow, borrowing and investments in 2026/27 in line with this report. In relation to the Council’s overall borrowing for the financial year, to approve the Prudential Indicators as set out in this report and the revised Annual Investment Strategy set out in Appendix E.

That Cabinet approve the making of an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for the change of use of a property from a Class C3 (residential) use to a Class C4 HMO . That Cabinet approve the commissioning of a robust evidence study, estimated at £50,000, to support the making of the Article 4 Direction, including its geographic extent. That Cabinet delegate authority to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, to make a ‘non immediate’ Article 4 Direction. To note that Cabinet approval will be required to confirm the Direction in 12 months’ time following the statutory period of publication and consultation.

This Council notes: That the national theme for Black History Month 2025 is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, reflecting the resilience, strength, and enduring contributions of Black communities across the UK. That Hammersmith & Fulham is a richly diverse borough, and our schools, community organisations, and cultural institutions play a vital role in amplifying Black history, heritage, and voices. This Council believes that Black history is British history, and celebrating it strengthens our shared identity and social cohesion. That the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” encourages us to not only honour past achievements but also to commit to power, representation, and dignity for all in our community. This Council resolves to: Promote and support Black History Month 2025 events across the borough, including the open-air King Street exhibition. 2. ? Work with our schools and cultural partners to embed Black history in curricula and public programmes beyond October, ensuring sustained engagement and learning. 3. ? Celebrate local Black leaders, artists, educators and organisations through Council communications, awards, and recognition, showing pride in our community’s heritage.

This Council notes that the delay in the completion of the new Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Campus was due to an accident during which the subcontractor of the contractor dropped one of the main steel supports. Thankfully no one was hurt. As with all such developments, the building site is under the legal charge of the contractor until the works are completed. This accident initiated an immediate shut down of the site while the independent Health and Safety Executive carried out an extensive review. The Health and Safety Executive is the relevant independent national regulator for Great Britain. This is what has caused the delay. The Council notes that this delay along with Brexit, the Pandemic and Liz Truss’ Fiscal Event, contributed a marginally higher cost than originally envisaged and this has been reported through all relevant channels which included a briefing to the opposition and an exempt report to the borough’s cabinet meeting which included members of the opposition. These slightly higher costs are in line with other building cost changes over this period. The Council also notes that despite these marginally higher final costs, the overall costs of the new Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Campus is still significantly lower than the controversial Hammersmith Town Hall scheme which this borough’s former Conservative administration had previously saddled the borough with. The Council also notes that additional to this, and in direct contrast to the Conservatives’ former scheme, the Civic Campus scheme allows the council to: Significantly reduce all its office costs across the borough Make a substantial annual profit that will contribute to the running of high quality services and keeping council tax low Builds into the sky over the old Town Hall Court Yard Carpark therefore leaving other council land for housing, retail, hospitality and rentable office space Rejuvenate the central belt of the borough with: A five-screen arthouse cinema A public sky park Homework space for local children Affordable work space for local start-up entrepreneurs A public sky restaurant Restaurants, cafes, shops and other public facilities A concert hall An art gallery Two new public squares i. Unity Square – on the site of the former Town Hall extension ii. The Town Square – on the site of the former Town Hall Court Yard Car Park for senior council directors and councillors 204 new homes for local people of which 52% are genuinely affordable. A new office building which will be let to a private firm bringing hundreds of new customers for the borough’s shops, cafes, restaurants, cinema and pubs Encourage better private sector investment to meet the Council’s aim of significantly improving King Street. The council supports the Green Energy measures built into the Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Campus and recognises that these will also keep energy costs low. It also supports the work undertaken to make the Civic Campus one of the most accessible buildings in the world for Disabled people. The Council recognises that the former Conservative administration’s development scheme for Hammersmith Town Hall failed when the developers said it was not properly budgeted and was undeliverable. The Conservatives scheme involved: Using council owned land to build 196 luxury flats which were to be marketed off plan to overseas property investors which at that time were largely those buyers in Russia, the Middle East, and the Far East Keeping the dreadful Town Hall Extension but using the Tri-Borough framework to procure cladding for it which the Conservatives argued would improve its look. Keeping the Town Hall Courtyard Car Park for senior council directors and councillors which the Conservatives argued was essential for their travel needs. That despite putting in all the land, the minimal funds raised by that scheme would be shared with its private sector partners and that this would not have produced sufficient funds to refurbish the dilapidated old Town Hall. That meant: The Conservatives’ scheme would have continued to cost large amounts of the borough’s annual budget just to meet health, safety and employment standards. The old Hammersmith Town Hall would not have been fully refurbished That would have required the council to continue to rent other expensive buildings across the borough. Zero new public space Zero genuinely affordable housing Zero annual profits Zero rejuvenation of the borough’s central belt The Council notes that the Conservatives Town Hall scheme followed a patten of financial incompetence that also saw the former Conservative administration financially unsound measures which include: Selling of Fulham Town Hall for just over £8million Selling off the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates for £102million while failing to recognise that this land formed one third of the total former Earls Court site which was immediately later valued at £12.05billion. This Council thanks the hundreds of residents who have worked with it to design the new Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Campus. In particular, it thanks the Civic Campus Commissioners and the Civic Campus Disabled Residents Team.

This Council agrees that, with the world changing faster than ever before, new measures to support every local young person to find the right pathway for them to pursue their dreams of their future is more important than ever before. The Council therefore welcomes the new and unique H&F Upstream Pathway Bond pioneered by the Labour Administration and thanks all the businesses and organisations who are taking part. The Council notes that: The H&F Upstream Pathway Bond was launched as part of the borough’s pioneering industrial strategy, Upstream London, to create stronger, sustainable linkages between education, skills development and local employment opportunities for young residents. 2. Upstream London has already attracted £6.3 billion of business investment into the borough since its inception, contributing to the creation of more than 17,200 new jobs in high-growth sectors and making Hammersmith & Fulham the borough with the fastest economic growth in London. 3. Already, 109 local businesses and 26 schools have shown exceptional commitment to inclusive economic growth by signing up to the Pathway Bond, agreeing to provide opportunities for young people in cutting-edge industries. 4. This initiative builds on strong collaboration between the Council, Imperial College London, Imperial College NHS Trust, H&F’s international “Cooperative Growth Partners” and businesses to ensure that residents can directly share in the borough’s economic success. This Council believes that: The Upstream Pathway Bond embodies the values of social democracy—harnessing cooperation between the private and public sectors. It is a powerful model of inclusive economic development that opens clear pathways from education through to rewarding local careers for H&F’s young people. Endorsing this programme aligns with the Council’s commitment to a strong local economy, skills development, opportunity-building, and the long-term prosperity of residents. The breadth of business engagement in the Pathway Bond demonstrates the strength of local partnerships and confidence in the Labour administration’s industrial strategy.

The Council commends the successful H&F Green Investment, a pioneering £5m initiative that empowers local residents to invest directly in cleaner, greener, community-focused projects. This is the largest Community Municipal Investment of its kind, demonstrating the borough’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency. The Council welcomes the transparency, fiscal responsibility, and climate ambition these bonds represent, delivering tangible benefits such as improved energy efficiency, cleaner air, increased resilience against flooding, and reduced carbon emissions while strengthening public trust and civic participation. The Council commends officers and partners for their work in establishing this innovative model and affirms the administration’s commitment to expanding sustainable investment that builds a fairer, greener borough for all.

That Cabinet agreed to refer this report to Full Council and recommend approval by Full Council for the financial year 2026/27 of: a. The estimated numbers of properties for each Valuation Band as set out in this report. b. An estimated collection rate of 98.0%. c. The Council Tax Base of 91,726 Band “D” equivalent properties. d. The delegation of authority to the Executive Director for Finance & Corporate Services to determine the business rates tax base for 2026/27.

To approve a new H&F service, as part of the H&F ‘Healthy Homes’ programme, to help residents design and install measures including insulation, solar PV, heat pumps and energy storage to their homes. A proposed small grant scheme, administered by H&F, is linked to this to help less well-off residents to pay for measures. To approve the selection of the portion of Wormholt and College Park & Old Oak wards that is H&F social housing as a social housing place-based decarbonisation scheme, including solar energy, batteries, heat pumps, insulation and innovative money saving energy tariffs. To approve the selection of Wendell Park as a private housing place-based decarbonisation scheme, using intensive, targeted communications and engagement, alongside innovative measures such as thermal drone scans, to drive clean energy measures in the neighbourhood. The European Horizon 2020 programme, which covers leading innovative climate initiatives, has shown an interest in this. H&F proposes to work with an engagement partner who will support on research, development, implementation and measurement of this hyper-localised approach to engagement. To note the other schemes already underway and expanding, including the HFCE green energy co-op, feasibility studies for large scale clean energy networks, support for residents in fuel poverty, and social housing retrofit projects in the West Kensington and White City estates among others.

To note that Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). That Cabinet approves the procurement strategy proposing a mini-competition via the Pretium Building and Fire Safety Framework (Lot 8 – External Wall Works) to source a contractor to undertake external façade safety works at Norland House, Stebbing House, Poynter House Edward Woods estate W11. That Cabinet notes that the procurement will be a two-stage design and build process with the Council entering into a pre-construction services agreement (“PCSA”) with a preferred supplier. Following completion of the design phase the Council will seek to enter into a works contract with the preferred supplier.