The full Council meeting will be live on YouTube at from 19:30.  The agenda is on the LBH website and the public questions, members’ questions, and Motions are summarised below the video stream, below…

You’ll see that there are plenty about RAGC, garden waste subscriptions, and council finances.  It will be chaired by Cllr Corthorne as Mayor, his first full Council meeting as Mayor

Public Questions

5.1 QUESTION FROM BRIAN LAWRENCE OF MEADOW VIEW ROAD, HAYES, TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT – COUNCILLOR LAVERY:
As there has been no notification as to why Hillingdon in Bloom & Autumn Show was cancelled, can you please provide an answer?

5.2 QUESTION FROM JASH PATEL OF LEAHOLME WAY, RUISLIP, TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT – COUNCILLOR LAVERY:
Please consider charging an entrance fee for visitors (to the Ruislip Lido) from outside the Borough of Hillingdon. The attached article (extract and link below) means that the Ruislip Lido will be visited by thousands of visitors, free of charge to enjoy the beach etc. The sufferers of this will be Hillingdon residents paying Council tax. The visitors park all across the surrounding area causing problems for the residents. I have been a resident of Leaholme Way for 48 years and am an exHillingdon Council pensioner. I have made this request 2-3 times before. No joy.

“There’s a sandy beach in London that many don’t know about. A beach in London might sound like a myth, but for those in the know, Ruislip Lido offers a surprising slice of coastal charm just 30 minutes from the heart of the capital. Nestled on the edge of Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve in Northwest London, Ruislip Lido is fast becoming a viral sensation after a TikTok video by user Callum Ryan revealed its sandy shoreline and 60-acre lake to a wider audience” Link to full article: Secret sandy beach just 30 minutes from London | Travel News | Travel | Express.co.uk

5.3 QUESTION FROM ANDREA SCRIVENS OF BROADWOOD AVENUE, RUISLIP AND THE FRIENDS OF THE RAGC, TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – COUNCILLOR PALMER:
At the Cabinet meeting on 26 June (in relation to the item concerning the RAGC) it was stated that all those who required an assessment of their social care needs would have one. At a time when I understand social services to be already stretched, have they got the capacity to carry out those assessments, what is the timescale for their completion and what are the estimated costs?

5.4 QUESTION FROM ISABEL STEVENSON OF PARKFIELD ROAD, ICKENHAM, TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – COUNCILLOR PALMER:
I am frightened for the safety of my son, who has been attending the Rural Activities Garden Centre as a gardeneer for many years. It is a safe and calming environment where our family can get respite for a few hours knowing he is safe with friends doing what he enjoys the most. Please can the Cabinet Member explain to me how the open aspect of the Civic Centre gardens allocated as the alternative provision to RAGC can be made safe for my son.

5.5 QUESTION FROM SARAH GREEN OF IVER LANE, UXBRIDGE, TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT – COUNCILLOR LAVERY:
The Council has a statutory responsibility to remediate the New Years Green landfill site and stop the landfill leachate polluting Ickenham Public Water Source on Breakspear Road South. After the 5-year period of Natural Monitored Attenuation (2013 to 2019), a report should have been written to inform decision makers of the pollution rates and what the recommended next steps are. Sufficient quantity of clean tap water is becoming critical in London. Can the Cabinet member tell the public the results of the Monitored Natural Attenuation at New Years Green landfill site and the next steps being taken?

5.6 QUESTION FROM JOHN SCRIVENS OF BROADWOOD AVENUE, RUISLIP AND THE FRIENDS OF THE RAGC, TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CORPORATE SERVICES & PROPERTY – COUNCILLOR BIANCO:
In order to scrutinise the Cabinet’s decision to close the Rural Activities Garden Centre, is the Council able to provide evidence that it has examined the option of Community Asset Transfer to transfer management of RAGC to Friends of RAGC, or other community organisation, as this is an obvious alternative to closure which would open additional funding opportunities for RAGC and be supported by the onsite RAGC operating team.

5.7 QUESTION FROM MARK PEARMAN SCRIVENS OF MELLOW LANE EAST, HAYES, TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL – COUNCILLOR EDWARDS:
We have seen it before where the Council promises what their plans are with no details and asks the residents to trust them. In the past we have seen Colham Green Day Centre close and used for a housing estate. This Centre was moved to a smaller centre (Parkview Day Centre) along the Uxbridge Road. After a few years that Centre was closed, and the service was moved to a warehouse in Uxbridge. Shortly after this closed too. Can the Leader of the Council explain why this time it will be any different and why the Council has been purposely managing the decline of the RAGC site?

Members Questions

7.1 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR DENYS TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND TRANSFORMATION – COUNCILLOR GODDARD:
Will the Cabinet Member please provide an update on the Financial Improvement Programme which was initiated following the Budget setting at February Council?

7.2 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR SWEETING TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES & EDUCATION – COUNCILLOR O’BRIEN:
Why was Hillingdon’s important Annual Education Standard’s Report 2023/24 not considered by Cabinet this year as has been the case with similar reports in previous years?

7.3 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR HAGGAR TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – COUNCILLOR PALMER:
What effect is the Cabinet decision to close the retail operation of the Rural Activities Garden Centre likely to have on the Social Care provision of horticultural therapy?

7.4 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR SMALLWOOD TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT- COUNCILLOR LAVERY:
Can the Cabinet member confirm that Hillingdon Council is not levying parking charges on those visiting Breakspear Crematorium to pay their respects to deceased relatives?

7.5 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR BURROWS TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT- COUNCILLOR LAVERY:
Does the Cabinet member consider the decision to relocate Uxbridge Library to have been successful?

7.6 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR BURLES TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT- COUNCILLOR LAVERY:
The Rural Activities Garden Centre is described as a ‘ hidden Gem’ and for over 40 years has provided vital life changing services for our adults with learning difficulties. Can the Cabinet member explain why he did not seek alternative providers like the Council did for the Beck Theatre and Early Years Nursery Centres so that it can remain open?

7.7 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR BANERJEE TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT- COUNCILLOR LAVERY:
Can the Cabinet member please update Council on the rollout of the garden waste subscription scheme?

7.8 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR BENNETT TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – COUNCILLOR PALMER:
Following the CQC inspection, which rated Adult Social Care as ‘good’, can the Cabinet Member please provide any further updates on the service?

7.9 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR PUNJA TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR PLANNING, HOUSING & GROWTH- COUNCILLOR TUCKWELL:
It is a year since Council resolved that a report be sent to Cabinet considering the sufficiency of evidence required under Part 2 Housing Act 2004 to extend licensing obligations to all properties with 3 bedrooms housing multiple unrelated occupants and to commence consultation on the implementation of this additional licensing obligation where it is justified.
I note that the report is shown on the Forward Plan as due to be submitted to Cabinet in July. Please can the Cabinet member explain why it has taken a year to produce this report and what actions are going to be taken as the increasing rise in HMOs are changing our streets and impacting on our Council services?

7.10 QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR MAND TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND TRANSFORMATION – COUNCILLOR GODDARD:
Can the Cabinet member please explain the absence and delays of budget monitoring reports and financial reports to Cabinet and Select Committee meetings?

Motions

8.1 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR CURLING
That this Council notes the devastating impact that a third runway, at Heathrow airport, would have on our borough and its residents. Council further notes the well documented detrimental impact on the environment, as well as the adverse impact on the health and well-being of a significant number of residents within our borough, should a third runway be built and brought into operation.

This Council therefore reaffirms its strong, cross party, opposition to a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

8.2 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR MATHERS
That this Council is seriously concerned at the Cabinet’s broken promises to its residents with reversal of the affirmation agreed in July 2023 by Full Council that:
“this Council affirms our commitment to free weekly bin collections, including recycling and green waste collections and thanks our Council staff for their dedication to their work.”

And that this:
“Council reaffirms that it rejects the idea of charging residents for the collection of garden waste”.

The Cabinet reasons for supporting policies that have introduced an initial £70 subscription charge for this service in the borough was to save £34 million to balance the budget and avoid bankruptcy. Therefore, this Council calls on the Cabinet to refer the implementation and introduction of charges for waste to the relevant select committee in order to scrutinise the effectiveness of this measure in achieving the desired savings at regular intervals over the coming financial year to assure residents that this and other aspects of the savings programme will raise the required funds in year to remain within budget.

8.3 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR PUNJA
That this Council agrees to call on Councillor Lavery, Cabinet Member for Community and Environment to reconsider the Cabinet decision to close the retail operations of the Rural Activities Garden Centre made on June 26th 2025 for the following

a) failure to accurately analyse or calculate financial income year on year income under Financial Implications
b) failure to have sought and costed alternative providers for the site to remain open.
c) failure to have scoped, costed, assessed and consulted on new provision for gardeners with social care package to ensure a safe environment
d) misleading information on £1.2m needed for investment to meet Health and Safety standards as this cost was based on an improvement plan proposal.
e) failure to provide reasonable adjustments for adults with learning disabilities as per guidance in the Equalities Act at the initial engagement meeting of 30th May 2025

This Council values robust reporting to make high quality decisions and asks the Cabinet member for Community and Environment to instruct officers to provide an updated report addressing, but not limited to, the concerns listed above and submit to the relevant Select Committees for scrutiny before going to Cabinet for a decision.

8.4 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR EDWARDS
That this Council notes that Hillingdon has the highest number of asylum seekers housed in hotels or dispersed accommodation of any local authority in London (more than 4.5 times the London average) and possibly the highest nationally. It is unfair and unsustainable to require Hillingdon’s residents to carry the grossly disproportionate burden of supporting former asylum seekers evicted from hotels as required by law. Council also notes with concern the commitment of Government to evict into this borough more than 2,300 asylum seekers presently housed in our hotels by the end of the present Parliament.

To protect the interests of Hillingdon’s residents, this Council requires Government to cease the practice of evicting former asylum seekers from hotels and dispersed accommodation within our borough without the necessary future support and accommodation having been secured and funded by the Home Office and to refund the cost shouldered by Hillingdon’s residents to date.

Furthermore, this Council calls on our three Members of Parliament to work with Government to secure the immediate funding for Hillingdon’s asylum cost to date, to ensure that the responsibility for supporting and accommodating those evicted from hotels in the borough will from this point on be equitably shared nationally, and that the funding of port authorities is commensurate with the additional responsibilities that they discharge on behalf of the nation.