HMOs, Ruislip Lido, and Hillingdon Council’s enforcement capacity were key topics at the Ruislip Residents’ Association meeting

Minutes of the Ruislip Residents’ Association Annual General Meeting 2026

Date: Wednesday 25th March, 2026
Time: 19:45
Location: St Paul’s Church, Ruislip Manor
Attendance: 130

1. Welcome and Apologies

Chairman Graham Bartram opened the meeting, noting that the Association was experimenting with rotating meeting locations to ensure they serve all parts of the community, starting with the Manor.

• Housekeeping: Father Tommy Merry provided fire safety instructions, noted the location of the exits, and confirmed he had extinguished all candles.
  
• Apologies: Received from Cllr Corthorne (Mayoral duties), Cllr Smallwood (family event), and Secretary Pat Wardle (unwell). Phil Taylor, the HS2 representative, also sent apologies. Cllr Riley provided apologies for his late arrival as he was driving back from a funeral in Wales. 

2. Guest Speaker: Danny Beales, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip

Mr. Beales addressed several local and national issues:

• Hillingdon Hospital: Construction is expected to commence in the 2027/28 financial year. The design is being updated to meet “Hospital 2.0” standards, which include single patient rooms.
  
• Health Hubs: Hillingdon is a pilot site for community-based healthcare. Three hubs are planned, with the Pembroke Centre in Ruislip Manor currently beginning this model.
  
• SEND Provision: The government has announced it will wipe out most of the “safety valve” debt held by the local authority to protect school budgets. A further £5 million for Hillingdon SEND provision was specifically announced on the day of the meeting.
  
• Housing and Rent Reform: Discussed the Renters’ Rights Act and the end of “no-fault” evictions. Leasehold reform is also underway, moving toward commonhold for new tenures.
  
• Council Finances: Hillingdon received emergency financial support (EFS) to prevent a Section 114 bankruptcy. While the upcoming CIPFA review of governance will be made public, the specific conditions attached to the EFS remain confidential unless the Council chooses to disclose them. 

3. Chairman’s Report and Community Cohesion Address

Graham Bartram reported on local activity, including the successful refusal of a 24-hour bingo hall on Ruislip High Street.

• St Martin’s Approach: The RRA continues to oppose the development of townhouses on the car park. An independent survey commissioned by the RRA debunked Council data, showing the project would cause a 32% reduction in parking spaces vital for shoppers and the Manor Farm heritage site.
  
• The Chairman noted ongoing concerns regarding fly-tipping and the temperamental nature of the Council’s reporting system.
  
• The Chairman extended a “huge thank you” to the committee for their dedicated service over the past year. He expressed particular gratitude to Brian Cowley and Peter Lansdown, the Association’s President and Vice-President respectively, as well as to Secretary Patricia Wardle and Treasurer Nick Potter for their essential contributions to the organization.
  
  He further recognized the specialist work of the Association’s officers, including Graeme Shaw for his dual role as Deputy Chair and Environment Officer, Sue Browne for her work in planning, and Susan Midgley for education. Additional thanks were given to Mark Eidem for police liaison, Carolyn Towner for the Lido, Alan Wenman for RAF Northolt, Phil Taylor for HS2, John Hawley for Manor Retail, John Swindells for IT, and Vivien Alcorn for social activities.
  
  Finally, the Chairman highlighted the work of the “inimitable” Chief Road Steward Daniel O’Neill. He emphasized that the dedication of the network of Area and Road Stewards headed by Mr. O’Neill forms the essential backbone of the Association. 

Community Cohesion Speech: The Chairman addressed local community relations, drawing on his childhood in Belfast during the Troubles to warn against sectarianism. As the UK’s Chief Vexillologist, he noted that the Council’s 85th anniversary banners for the Battle of Britain incorrectly suggested the battle was won by the British Army rather than the RAF. He stated that the proliferation of flags on local lampposts appeared intended to intimidate rather than celebrate the community. He concluded with an appeal to residents and politicians to work toward a more equitable and peaceful relationship between all sections of Ruislip.

 

4. Treasurer’s Report and Annual Accounts

Nick Potter presented the accounts for the year:

• Income: Subscriptions and donations were close to £6,000.
  
• Surplus: The Association achieved a small surplus of £190, with total assets of approximately £19,000.
  
• Approval: The accounts were accepted by the members. 

5. Election of Officers and Committee

• Chairman: Graham Bartram was re-elected.
  
• Committee: The existing officers and committee members were re-elected en bloc. The Chairman noted a volunteer’s offer to assist with social media management. 

6. Open Forum: Ward Councillors Q&A

The Open Forum was held with Ward Councillors Douglas Mills, Susan O’Brien, and John Riley.

 

Ruislip Lido Risk Assessment:

Regarding the progress of the Ruislip Lido risk assessment, the following details were provided:

• External commissioning: Councillor Riley confirmed that the assessment was not being handled internally but had been sent to a specialist external organization.
  
• Imminent reporting: The expert body is expected to report its findings to the Cabinet Member and Council officers within the next few days.
  
• Operational meeting: A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow evening between Ward Councillors and the relatively new Cabinet Member responsible for the Lido to establish a management plan for the upcoming season.
  
• Consultation status: While the Association has pushed for a community review of the findings, Councillor Riley stated that the decision to hold an external consultation will be determined by the specific nature and results of the assessment once received.
  
• Internal capacity concerns: In response to the use of external consultants, the Chair questioned whether the Council had lost its internal safety expertise and suggested that a risk assessment should have been within the capability of internal safety officers.

 

Barbeques at Ruislip Lido

Regarding the safety and management of barbecues at the Lido, the following points were discussed:

• Prohibition and policy: Councillor Riley confirmed that the use of barbecues is strictly banned at the Lido, categorized alongside the existing prohibition on swimming.
  
• Signage dispute: While Councillor Riley stated his belief that signs indicating the ban were present in the past , residents and the Chair countered that there is currently no visible signage on-site to inform visitors of the rule.
  
• Enforcement challenges: Councillor Riley noted that constant patrolling of the area is not considered feasible. However, residents argued that without active policing or wardens, the ban is frequently ignored by visitors from outside the borough who are unfamiliar with local rules.
  
• Fire and injury risks: Concerns were raised regarding the high risk of flying embers igniting the surrounding woods during dry periods. Additionally, a resident highlighted the physical danger to the public, citing a specific incident where a child suffered severe burns after stepping on a hot barbecue that had been covered with sand on the beach.
  
• Funding for oversight: Residents questioned if the revenue generated from parking tickets at the Lido could be utilized to fund a dedicated Ranger or warden to police the beach and grass areas on peak days. 

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

• The 10th December threshold: Councillor Mills detailed the significant policy shift effective from December 10th, after which all new HMOs require mandatory planning permission. This creates a “twilight zone” for properties like 29 Torrington Road, where the Council is actively disputing the managing agent’s claim that occupation began prior to this date.
  
• Evidentiary requirements for appeals: Councillors emphasized that any enforcement action will almost certainly be met with an appeal. To avoid the Council paying substantial legal costs, they must present a “watertight” case based on residents’ witness statements and photographic evidence of the exact date the HMO usage commenced.
  
• Legislative and financial constraints: Councillor Mills addressed frustrations regarding the speed of action, noting that national legislation favors the applicant and limits the Council’s power to intervene quickly. Furthermore, the £1,500 licensing fee was noted as being set by national legislation rather than local choice.
  
• Enforcement resources: In response to resident questions about the adequacy of the HMO team, the Councillors committed to investigating the current and planned headcount of enforcement officers. 

Planning and Anti-Social Behaviour

• Residents reported severe ongoing issues, including a loft extension at 29 Torrington Road that allegedly encroached over a boundary line. Councillor O’Brien confirmed that a planning enforcement officer had recently visited the site to investigate these specific roof and boundary complaints.
  
• Councillor O’Brien emphasized that residents act as the “eyes and ears” of the community. Both she and Councillor Mills urged residents to continue reporting any suspicious activity, planning breaches, or anti-social behaviour directly to them, even if they are unsure of the legality, to ensure evidence is officially logged.

Meeting Closed: 22:00