Hounslow Council's Cabinet has approved the renewal of its legal services contract with HB Public Law (HBPL) for a further five years, commencing on 1 June 2026. The agreement, which will see HBPL continue to provide the council's legal services under the Inter-Authority Agreement, includes break clauses at years two, three, and four, offering flexibility for future reviews and potential alternative service delivery models.
The decision was made at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, aiming to ensure the continuity of essential legal support for the council.
Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, introduced the report, emphasising the council's commitment to efficient and effective service delivery. The renewal of the contract with HBPL was moved by Councillor Rajawat and seconded by Councillor Tom Bruce.
During the discussion, Councillor Peter Thompson raised concerns regarding the council's reliance on external legal services and enquired about the feasibility of establishing an in-house legal team. Councillor Rajawat acknowledged the aspiration for in-sourcing but highlighted current challenges in recruiting and retaining legal staff, as detailed in the report. He reassured members that the contract's break clauses would provide the council with the necessary time to explore alternative legal service delivery models if deemed appropriate.
The Cabinet unanimously approved the recommendations, delegating the final agreement of the contract terms to the Director of Law and Governance.
This renewal is part of the council's ongoing efforts to manage its services effectively, as reflected in various financial and strategic documents available for review, including the Public reports pack Tuesday 10-Feb-2026 19.00 Cabinet.
