Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
SPECIAL URGENCY: Housing Grants and Adaptations Release No. 1
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II CMD Ref: 2026/1698 To: COUNCILLOR IAN EDWARDS LEADER OF THE COUNCIL COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE & TRANSFORMATION COUNCILLOR JONATHAN BIANCO CABINET MEMBER FOR CORPORATE SERVICES & PROPERTY c.c. Chair of the Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee c.c. Dan Kennedy, Corporate Director – Residents Services c.c. Alan Galloway, Residents Services Date: 12 May 2026 Special Urgency Non-Key Decision request Form F Permission to seek an immediate decision & waive scrutiny call-in requested CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (MAY 2026/27) DEPARTMENT: HOUSING GRANTS & ADAPTATIONS SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: RESIDENTS SERVICES RELEASE NO: 1 Attached is a special urgency report requesting that a decision be made by you as an individual Cabinet Member. Democratic Services confirm that this is not a key decision, as such the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. Reason for special urgency The reason for urgency, is to enable the prompt release of funds so that essential adaptations can be delivered without delay, reducing risks to disabled tenants and supporting independent living. A request to waive the scrutiny call -in on this item has also been given to the Chair of the Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee. You can therefore sign this decision from today and your decision will take immediate effect, subject to call-in being waived Please indicate your decision on the duplicate memo supplied and return it to me when you have made your decision. I will then arrange for the formal notice of decision to be published. Ryan Dell Democratic Services Title of Report: CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (MAY 2026/27) DEPARTMENT: HOUSING GRANTS & ADAPTATIONS SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: RESIDENTS SERVICES RELEASE NO: 1 Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Permission to seek to waive any scrutiny call-in: Yes / No (please indicate) Signed ………………………………………………………Date…………………….. Leader of the Council / Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation / Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property Special Urgency Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2026 Part I – Public CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (MAY 2026/27) DEPARTMENT: HOUSING GRANTS & ADAPTATIONS SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: RESIDENTS SERVICES RELEASE NO: 1 Cabinet Member & Portfolio Councillor Ian Edwards, Leader of the Council Councillor Eddie Lavery , Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation Councillor Jonathan Bianco, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property Responsible Officer Daniel Kennedy, Residents Services Report Author & Directorate Alan Galloway, Residents Services Papers with report Appendix A – Capital release request for approval HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval for the release of capital funds. Putting our Residents First Delivering on the Council Strategy 2022-2026 This report supports our ambition for residents / the Council of: Stay living independently for as long as they are able This report supports our commitments to residents of: Thriving, Healthy Households Housing Assistance (Adaptations) Policy Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £ 1,100,000 from the Housing Revenue Account Major Adaptations to Property 2026/27 budget for adaptations to Council-owned properties for disabled tenants. The project manager is Alan Galloway. The works will commence upon release of the funds and are due for completion by March 2027. Relevant Select Committee Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee. Relevant Ward(s) All Wards RECOMMENDATIONS That the Leader of the Council, in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property: Special Urgency Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2026 Page 2 Part I – Public 1. A gree to the following capital release request of £1,100,000 from the Housing Revenue Account Major Adaptations to Property 2026/27 programme budget (Appendix A) to fund initial works. 2. Agree, in order to deliver the remainder of the HRA Major Adaptations capital budget of £3.0m, to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance & S151 officer and relevant Cabinet portfolio holders to: a. Release project specific capital funds for the HRA adaptations works programme, and strictly within approved budgets and subject to any internal spend control requirements; b. A pprove any procurement of individual projects and works set out; c. Make any other operational decisions required to implement the programme and works. Reasons for recommendation The requested budget approval represents approximately a quarter of the 2026/27 annual budget, amounting to £1 ,100,000. This sum is intended to cover major adaptation works for tenants in Council-owned properties. The funding release will enable the team to manage service delivery effectively and ensure they meet the required timescales. This report is deemed urgent to enable the prompt release of funds so that essential adaptations can be delivered without delay, reducing risks to disabled tenants and supporting independent living. Alternative options considered An alternative approach would be to request capital release for each property after receiving quotes for multiple workstreams. However, this method was previously used and found to delay urgent or reactive works due to waiting for funding approval. The goal is to implement major adaptations swiftly to minimise risks to residents and help them maintain independence in their homes. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION The Council commissions major adaptations to its properties to help disabled tenants adapt and improve their homes, enabling them to live independently. An Occupational Therapist assesses each resident and recommends major adaptations based on their needs. A surveyor then visits the property to determine if the recommendations are reasonable and practical. Common adaptations include level access showers and stairlifts. Special Urgency Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2026 Page 3 Part I – Public These adaptations significantly enhance the well -being of vulnerable residents by reducing the risk of hospitalisation and lowering health service and social care costs from falls and other accidents. This aligns with the policy of prevention and support, allowing individuals to live safely in their homes rather than moving to long-term residential care. Several hundred applications are submitted (across all tenures, including Council -owned properties). Each case may involve multiple elements, such as a ramp, stairlift, and level access shower. Officers are requesting budget approval of £1,100,000. This funding will cover major adaptation works for tenants in Council -owned properties. This will enable the team to manage service delivery effectively and ensure they meet the required timescales. The works will be completed by framework contractors who have gone through the procurement process, unless the works are specialist, in which case quotes will be requested in line with procurement policy. Project / Programme Cost plan £'000 Works - Q1 2026/27 1,100M Total 1,100M Financial Implications HRA Major Adaptations Budget 202 6-27 £4.1M, Previously Released £0k, Capital Release Requested £1.1M – Appendix A The 2026/27 capital programme as approved by Cabinet and Council in February 2026 included a budget of £4,100k for the HRA Major Adaptations. This report is requesting capital release of £1 .1m for adaptations at various Council -owned properties for elderly and disabled tenants. This release includes the cost of works based on the National Housing Federation Schedule of Rates (NATFED Version 7). RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities? The works will address the needs of vulnerable residents by adapting and improving their homes, enabling them to maintain as much independence as possible. Consultation carried out or required None required. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance have reviewed the report and concur with the financial implications set out above, noting the recommendation for capital release to fund adaptation work from the approved 2026-27 HRA capital budget for Major Adaptations to Property. Special Urgency Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2026 Page 4 Part I – Public Legal The Borough Solicitor c onfirms that the Council is responsible for carrying out this function pursuant to sections 8 -10 of the Housing Act 1985 and section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Thus, there are no legal impediments to the capital release being authorised, although any contract that is entered into must comply with the Council's Procurement and Contract Standing Orders. Infrastructure/ Asset Management Asset management are the authors of the report. Capital Release Protocol The release of all capital funds, and certain revenue funds, held by the Council is to be made by a formal democratic decision. No expenditure can be placed or committed by officers until this formal approval is given by Democratic Services. Release of funds must be for identified projects only and strictly not for the general release of funds for projects to be identified at a later date. No block releases of capital or funding will be allowed, except if authorised by the Leader of the Council in advance t o Corporate Finance. The release of funds will only be made if previous Council, Cabinet or Cabinet Member agreement has been given to the project and only if there is an approved budget. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL. Special Urgency Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2026 Page 5 Part I – Public APPENDIX A Appendix A – Housing Revenue Account Major Adaptations to Property 2026/27 Release No.1 Location Project / Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000’s Approve Hold More Information Required Multiple Major Adaptations Major adaptation works to Council-owned dwellings 1,100k Total seeking release 1,100 Previously released 0 Budget 1,100 Remaining budget 3,000
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Special Urgency Decision Notice – 12 May 2026 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE DECISION NOTICE PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES Notice is hereby given that the following decision(s) have been made today by Cabinet Members at the London Borough of Hillingdon: Title of decision CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (MAY 2026/27) DEPARTMENT: HOUSING GRANTS & ADAPTATIONS SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: RESIDENTS SERVICES RELEASE NO: 1 Reference No. 2026/1698 Date of decision 12 May 2026 Call-in expiry date SPECIAL URGENCY N/A – This decision comes into immediate effect Relevant Select Committees Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee Relevant Ward All Wards Decision made Cabinet Members making the decision The Leader of the Council, and on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property and the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation APPROVED That the Leader of the Council, and on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property: 1. A greed to the following capital release request of £1,100,000 from the Housing Revenue Account Major Adaptations to Property 2026/27 programme budget (Appendix A of the associated report ) to fund initial works. 2. Agreed, in order to deliver the remainder of the HRA Major Adaptations capital budget of £3.0m , to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance & S1 51 officer and relevant Cabinet portfolio holders to: a. Release project specific capital funds for the HRA adaptations works programme, and strictly within approved budgets and subj ect to any internal spend control requirements; Special Urgency Decision Notice – 12 May 2026 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk b. Approve any procurement of individual projects and works set out; c. Make any other operational decisions required to implement the programme and works. Reason for decision The requested budget approval represents approximately a quarter of the 2026/27 annual budget, amounting to £1,100,000. This sum is intended to cover major adaptation works for tenants in Council-owned properties. The funding release will enable the team t o manage service delivery effectively and ensure they meet the required timescales. This report is deemed urgent to enable the prompt release of funds so that essential adaptations can be delivered without delay, reducing risks to disabled tenants and supporting independent living. Alternative options considered and rejected An alternative approach would be to request capital release for each property after receiving quotes for multiple workstreams. However, this method was previously used and found to delay urgent or reactive works due to waiting for funding approval. The goal is to implement major adaptations swiftly to minimise risks to residents and help them maintain independence in their homes. Classification Part I – Public Link to associated report Here Relevant Officer contact & Directorate Alan Galloway, Residents Services Dan Kennedy, Corporate Director of Residents Services Any interest declared by the Cabinet Member(s)/ dispensation granted N/A Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in [Internal Use only] When can this decision be implemented by officers? This decision was taken under special urgency procedures in the Council Constitution and deemed urgent by the Leader of the Council. The reason for urgency, is to enable the prompt release of funds so that essential adaptations can be delivered without delay, reducing risks to disabled tenants and supporting independent living. Agreement that the matter was urgent and could not have been reasonably deferred, along with the waiver of the scrutiny call -in period, was also granted by the Chair of the Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee. Special Urgency Decision Notice – 12 May 2026 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk THIS DECISION THEREFORE COMES INTO IMMEDIATE EFFECT. Further information These decisions, where applicable, have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. This is the formal notice by the Council of the above executive decision, including links to the reports where applicable. If you would like more information on this decision, please contact Democratic Services on 01895 250636 or email: democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk. Circulation of this decision notice is to a variety of people including Memb ers of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers and the Public. Copies are also placed on the Council’s website. Democratic Services London Borough of Hillingdon Civic Centre High Street Uxbridge UB8 1UW