Hillingdon Council has approved the introduction of fees for non-commercial photography in its parks and green spaces, aiming to generate revenue to offset budget pressures stemming from national challenges and underfunding from central government. A key pressure is the delivery of temporary accommodation and homelessness support, which is particularly acute in Hillingdon due to the presence of Heathrow Airport. Demand for Adult Social Care also remains consistently high following the pandemic, with funding failing to keep pace with increasing client demand.
The decision was made at a recent cabinet meeting as part of a broader effort to address a projected £36 million overspend in the council's general fund. The fees will apply to engagement and wedding photography in council-owned green spaces, such as Eastcote House Gardens, with a £100 administration fee and location fees of £100 per hour for up to five people (including the photographer), or £125 per hour for a maximum of 10 people (including the photographer).
Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, presented the Monthly Council Budget Monitoring Report: Month 6 which outlined the financial challenges facing the council. The report highlighted pressures in adult social care, children's services, and homelessness support as key contributors to the overspend.
The introduction of photography fees is one of several measures the council is taking to mitigate the financial shortfall. The council is also actively reviewing all available options to address the current financial pressure and the forecast negative reserves position. Central to this is the delivery of the 2025/26 savings programme, totalling £34.0m. In addition, £4.8m of unresolved savings from previous years have been carried forward, increasing the total savings requirement for 2025/26 to £38.8m. To further address the shortfall, officers have been developing strict spend control processes across all areas of the Council, extending the existing controls over staffing costs to non-staff costs. Officers have also been asked to review the capital expenditure programme to identify any schemes which can be deferred, reduced or stopped, in particular any which require Council borrowing in order to fund, or will be a drain on Council cash.
The cabinet also approved a budget transfer of £8.85 million from the general contingency budget to address underlying budget pressures.
Councillor Ian Edwards, Leader of the Council, acknowledged the financial difficulties, citing national pressures and underfunding from central government. He emphasised the importance of continued savings and efficiencies to address the overspend.
The decision to introduce photography fees was part of a larger discussion on the council's financial health. The cabinet also reviewed the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) forecast, as detailed in the Cabinet Agenda B 20th-Nov-2025 19.00 CABINET.