Key Points
- Hillingdon Council, a cash-strapped West London authority, initially voted in private to write off rent arrears owed by former Conservative Councillor Alan Deville for Cowley Meeting Hall.
- The hall was occupied and sublet by Theo’s Cafe, which appears to be in breach of the original lease terms.
- The council justified the write-off by claiming it was not cost-effective to pursue recovery, citing a “disproportionate cost test”.
- The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) obtained a council document revealing the decision, prompting the council to reconsider and now explore legal action against Mr Deville.
- Questions arose at a Full Council meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2026, where Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property, Cllr Jonathan Bianco, faced scrutiny from councillors.
- Cllr Tony Burles challenged whether the leniency applied universally or only to this case.
- The controversy emerged amid plans to sell Cowley Meeting Hall, potentially forcing Theo’s Cafe to shut down.
- Cllr Bianco responded by noting the asset’s location in public open space, requiring consultation for any sale or marketing.
- The council revisited its stance after LDRS awareness on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Hillingdon (West London News) January 24, 2026 – Questions have been raised at Hillingdon Council over the Conservative administration’s initial plan to write off rent arrears owed by former Tory councillor Alan Deville, following revelations by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The council, facing financial pressures, appears to have reversed course after scrutiny, now considering legal action against Mr Deville for debts linked to Cowley Meeting Hall sublet to Theo’s Cafe.
Why Was the Debt Write-Off Initially Proposed?
The cabinet’s private decision to waive the arrears stemmed from an assessment that recovery efforts would not be cost-effective. As reported by Philip Lynch of MyLondon and the LDRS, the council applied a “disproportionate cost test” to deem pursuit uneconomical. This involved Cowley Meeting Hall, a property occupied by Mr Deville and sublet to Theo’s Cafe, which LDRS reporting indicated breached lease conditions.
Councillors debated the fairness of this approach during the Full Council meeting. Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property, defended the rationale but faced direct challenges. The LDRS document obtained by Philip Lynch highlighted the specifics, forcing a policy shift once public awareness grew.
The potential sale of the hall added urgency, as it could displace Theo’s Cafe. Council officers argued recovery costs outweighed benefits, but critics questioned selective application.
What Sparked the Council’s Reversal?
The LDRS revelation on Friday, January 23, 2026, proved pivotal. As detailed in Philip Lynch’s MyLondon article, the service secured a council document confirming the cabinet’s vote, leading to immediate reconsideration. Hillingdon Council then signalled intent to pursue legal action against Mr Deville, abandoning the write-off.
This U-turn came amid broader financial woes, with MyLondon previously reporting the cash-strapped status of the West London borough. The timing aligned with sale discussions for Cowley Meeting Hall, amplifying concerns over accountability.
No formal statement from Mr Deville appears in available reports, but the council’s response underscores transparency pressures on local authorities.
Who Is Involved in This Controversy?
Key figures include former Councillor Alan Deville, a Conservative ex-member whose arrears triggered the debate. Cllr Jonathan Bianco, as cabinet lead, bore the brunt of questioning. Cllr Tony Burles, another councillor, directly probed the leniency.
Theo’s Cafe, the subtenant, faces closure risks from the hall’s potential sale. Philip Lynch of LDRS/MyLondon broke the story, attributing details to council documents and meeting transcripts.
The Conservative administration oversees the decision, with opposition voices highlighting inconsistencies.
What Happened at the Full Council Meeting?
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Full Council convened, spotlighting the issue. Cllr Bianco was asked if the “disproportionate cost test” applied universally to rent arrears cases. He acknowledged the query but pivoted to procedural matters.
Cllr Tony Burles followed up: if not universal, why afford Mr Deville leniency? Cllr Bianco replied,
“I think it’s probably best to start by saying that this asset in which he refers sits in a public open space, and any decision to sell or market requires a public open space consultation.”
This statement, as quoted by Philip Lynch in MyLondon, emphasised consultation requirements over debt specifics.
The exchange, per LDRS reporting, exposed tensions between fiscal prudence and perceived favouritism.
How Does Cowley Meeting Hall Factor In?
Cowley Meeting Hall lies in public open space, complicating disposal. The council’s sale plan could evict Theo’s Cafe, breaching sublet terms per LDRS findings. Initial write-off aimed to simplify transactions, but scrutiny halted it.
As Philip Lynch reported, the property’s status mandates community input, delaying marketing. This protects green spaces but fuels debate on debt handling.
Financial recovery now hinges on legal pursuit, balancing costs against optics.
Was the Decision Applied Consistently?
Cllr Bianco faced repeated queries on equity. No evidence suggests universal application; critics like Cllr Burles implied exceptional treatment for a Tory ex-colleague. LDRS documents showed cabinet secrecy, raising governance flags.
MyLondon coverage by Philip Lynch noted no comparable cases detailed, leaving councillors unsatisfied. Bianco’s response avoided direct confirmation, focusing on site constraints.
This gap prompted the reversal, prioritising recovery over expediency.
What Are the Implications for Theo’s Cafe?
Sale plans threaten Theo’s Cafe’s viability, as subletting violated terms. LDRS reporting linked arrears to this breach, positioning the business at risk. Closure looms if marketing proceeds post-consultation.
Council finances, already strained, now factor legal costs. Philip Lynch highlighted tenant displacement as a human cost amid bureaucratic shifts.
No cafe representatives commented in reports, but the saga underscores small business vulnerabilities.
Why Did LDRS’s Reporting Matter?
The Local Democracy Reporting Service, via Philip Lynch, accessed pivotal documents pre-reversal. MyLondon published on January 23, 2026, catalysing change. This exemplifies local journalism’s role in accountability.
Without LDRS, the private vote might have stood. Coverage forced transparency, aligning with Hillingdon’s cash-strapped context.
What Next for Hillingdon Council?
Legal action against Mr Deville is under consideration, per post-LDRS updates. Public open space consultation precedes any sale. Full Council scrutiny may recur, testing Conservative leadership.
Broader arrears policies face review amid equity calls. Philip Lynch’s LDRS work ensures ongoing monitoring.
