Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council is addressing a significant budget gap and overspend while reviewing licensing applications and its overall licensing policy.
Westminster City Council faces a projected budget deficit of £161 million by 2030, with an £8.2 million overspend in the 2025/26 financial year, primarily due to temporary accommodation costs. The council's Cabinet discussed the 2025/26 financial outturn and approved medium-term financial planning in July 2026, while the capital programme was reprofiled due to a £132.5 million underspend.
The council is currently reviewing several licensing applications, including a Leicester Square McDonald's request for a 5am licence, which Westminster City Council's Licensing Authority objects to. A decision is pending for DILA's licence application, heard in March 2026, while the Licensing Sub-Committee suspended Food Works' licence in March 2026 due to serious crime concerns. A significant overhaul of the council's licensing policy is slated for re-publication by October 2026.
In March 2026, the Cabinet adopted a new housing strategy for 2026-2031 and approved a five-year extension to its additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation. The Cabinet also approved £250,000 for 20 new zebra crossings in Bayswater and a £411,931 upgrade for St John's Wood Primary School.
Key facts
- Westminster City Council's Licensing Authority objects to a Leicester Square McDonald's request for a 5am licence. Source
- Westminster City Council faces a projected budget deficit of £161 million by 2030. Source
- The council reported an £8.2 million overspend for the 2025/26 financial year. Source
- Its capital programme was reprofiled due to a £132.5 million underspend in 2025/26. Source
- The Cabinet approved a five-year extension to its additional licensing scheme for HMOs in March 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.