Decision

The London Borough of Hillingdon has decided to accept a tender for laboratory testing services at Heathrow Airport as a Border Control Post.

Analysis

outcome: Recommendations were approved to accept the tender from Public Analyst Scientific Services Limited for a four-year period with a potential two-year extension.

summary: The decision involves accepting a tender for laboratory testing services for imported food and feed controls at Heathrow Airport as a Border Control Post.

topline: The London Borough of Hillingdon has decided to accept a tender for laboratory testing services at Heathrow Airport as a Border Control Post.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves essential border controls and meeting statutory duties as a Border Control Post.

affected_stakeholders: ["London Borough of Hillingdon", "Public Analyst Scientific Services Limited", "Residents Services Committee"]

contentiousness_score: 6

political_party_relevance: No explicit mention of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://modgov.hillingdon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3558

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED:   That the Cabinet:     1)    Accept the tender from Public Analyst Scientific Services Limited for the provision of laboratory testing, and various other laboratory tests to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a four-year period from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2030 and at the estimated value of £1,994,357.   2)    Furthermore, agree that this includes the provision to extend the contract for a two-year period (six years in total), delegating approval of any extension to the Cabinet Member for Community, Environment & Enforcement, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Residents Services and at a total contract value of £2,991,535 over the full six years.   Reasons for decision   The Cabinet Member for Community, Environment & Enforcement introduced a report and recommendations, which Cabinet agreed, to award a contract for the provision of laboratory testing services to an accredited company in support of monitoring imported food and feed controls into the UK at Heathrow Airport, as a Border Control Post. The Leader noted this as another example of a unique obligation for Hillingdon.   Alternative options considered and rejected   Cabinet rejected alternative options as they would risk essential border controls and could prevent the Council from meeting its statutory duties as a Border Control Post.   Relevant Committee Residents Services Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in) Cabinet’s decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the Committee by 5pm, Friday 31 July 2026. If not called-in by then, Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented. Officer(s) to action Samantha Doherty Directorate Residents Services Classification Private - Whilst the Cabinet's decisions above are always made public, the officer report relating to this matter is not because it was considered in the private part of the meeting and contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it in accordance with Section 100(A) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).      

Date of Decision: July 23, 2026