Agenda and minutes

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting on Wednesday 20 September 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Cornelius (London Borough of Barnet), Councillor Julian Bell (London Borough of Ealing), Councillor Stephen Cowan (London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham), Councillor Stephen Curran (London Borough of Hounslow), Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive – London Borough of Brent) and Kim Dero (Chief Executive – London Borough Hammersmith and Fulham).

The Chair welcomed Councillor Sue Fennimore who was attending to represent the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and Councillor Theo Dennison who was attending to represent the London Borough of Hounslow.

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary, personal or prejudicial interests in the items on this agenda.

There were no declaration of interests from Members.

To consider any requests received from members of the public to address the Board.

The Chair advised that he had received a request to speak from Mr John Cox in relation to Agenda Item 5 (Old Oak Common and Park Royal Development Corporation – Priorities and Joint Working) and Agenda Item 7 (West London Orbital Rail).  In accordance with the Rules of Procedure for the Board the request had been agreed and he welcomed Mr Cox to the meeting.

Mr Cox thanked the Chair for agreeing his request to speak and advised that his comments were linked to the update members were due to receive on progress with the West London Orbital Rail project, with the following issues highlighted:

1.      As part of the progress update provided for the Board, Members were being asked to consider any additional actions as part of ongoing development of the scheme.  Whilst welcoming the progress achieved, he felt this represented a good opportunity for the Board to begin considering the potential for developing an enhanced longer term plan in terms of infrastructure opportunities.  This could be linked to a wider programme of station development; the strategic case and level of passenger demand identified in support of the proposals; the wider regeneration of Old Oak Common and Park Royal and links to the Crossrail and High Speed Two Rail projects.

2.      Specific sites identified by Mr Cox* as presenting potential options in terms of station development, were as follows:

·                South Acton & Lionel Road;

·                Bollo Road – with accompanying track adjustments;

·                Acton Central;

·                Extension of proposed site at Old Oak Common Lane

·                Site between Neasden and Harlesden located within close proximity to the Neasden Temple;

·                Gladstone Park;

·                North Hendon, providing potential access to the RAF museum and Colindale redevelopment;

·                Brent Cross – with the London Borough of Barnet due to consider a progress update on the Brent Cross Cricklewood Programme at their Asset Regeneration and Growth Committee on 27 November 17 including proposals for design of a new station as part of the Thameslink development linked to the scheme.

·                Mill Hill Broadway – with a new fifth track north from Hendon on the western side;

·                Mill Lane (off Shoot Up Hill);

·                Edgware Road (near the Metropolitan Line station)

3.      Given the progress being made, it was felt attempts should be made to maximise infrastructure design in terms of track, signalling and stations to ensure that as much scope as possible was provided to take future advantage of any long term development opportunities including those arising from regeneration activity being led by the Old Oak Common & Park Royal Development Corporation.

The Chair thanked Mr Cox for his comments.  Whilst highlighting that the project was still some way from the detailed design stage the basis on which the comments had been made was recognised although it as pointed out these would need to be considered as part of the development of any longer term technical project plan.

As amended at the Board meeting on 21 February 2018

To consider the opportunities for joint working and the alignment of future priorities.

Liz Peace MBE, Chair of the Old Oak Common and Park Royal Development Corporation has been invited to attend the Board for this item.

Councillor Butt (as Chair) welcomed Liz Peace CBE (Chair of the Old Oak Common and Park Royal Development Corporation - OPDC) to the meeting who, he advised, had been invited to provide the Board with an overview of the OPDCs priorities and also to explore opportunities for joint working.

Liz Peace CBE thanked the Board for inviting her to the meeting and began by outlining her role as the recently appointed (April 2017) chair of the OPDC in re shaping and focussing the priorities of the Corporation following the Mayor for London’s review of progress by the Development Corporation in delivering its objectives.

As background, the Board were reminded that the OPDC was responsible for managing the UKs largest regeneration project covering an area of approx. 650 hectres with the aim of generating 65,000 jobs alongside 25,500 new homes as well as enhancing public space and delivering a transport “super hub” linked to development of Crossrail and the High Speed 2 projects.  Given the size of the area and outcome of the Mayors review, Liz Peace CBE advised that her key focus as chair of the Corporation was currently on identifying and delivering projects that would enable regeneration activity to progress on a co-ordinated basis alongside development of the longer term Master Plan.

The Board were advised that the Corporation had now appointed a team to work on development of the Master Plan and also to identify the most effective way of moving the regeneration activity forward.  The immediate focus was on opportunities within the western wedge of the development area and the Oaklands development, pending final development of the phase one Master Plan.

The focal point and catalyst for the longer-term regeneration activity across the area as a whole remained the transport “superhub” at Old Oak Common with a station connecting the High Speed Rail 2 line with Crossrail.  She advised that as part of the development of the supporting infrastructure the need had already been identified to consider the connectivity to existing transport links including the potential development of Willesden Junction.

In terms of other priorities, Liz Peace CBE advised that she was also keen to ensure that Park Royal was able to not only protect but enhance its existing identity.  To support this aim OPDC had already been successful in attracting £1.5m of Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Funding under the Great Place Scheme to support a “Made in Park Royal” community focussed project designed to put culture led place making at the heart of the regeneration development activity being planned.

In terms of the wider regeneration activity, Liz Peace CBE also highlighted the importance of the Corporation not working in isolation and in ensuring a joined up approach with partners towards employment and skills activity, health and infrastructure developments.  She then introduced Victoria Hilsl from the Corporation who had been invited to attend in order to outline what she felt to be some of the significant opportunities for developing the skills and training offer linked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

This paper provides an update on progress with the Work and Health programme and the appointment of Shaw Trust as the provider selected to deliver the scheme.

Shaw Trust have been invited to attend the Board meeting in order to update members on how they plan to deliver the programme.

Paul Najsarek (Chief Executive – London Borough of Ealing) introduced the report providing the Board with a progress update on development of the devolved Work and Health Programme.

The Board noted that following the outcome of a successful procurement process, conducted through the London Borough of Ealing, Shaw Trust had been appointed to deliver the programme on behalf of the West London Alliance.

The Board were then introduced to Kim Archer (Health and Employment Programme Manager), John Griffith, Sally Gibbs and Karen Mitchell from Shaw Trust who, members were advised, had been invited to outline the Trust’s proposals for delivery of the programme.  Having welcomed the representatives from the Trust, the Board then received a presentation which covered the following areas:

·                The background to the Shaw Trust and the their mission and values as a national charity;

·                An outline of the work undertaken by the Trust, which by 2022 was expected to see them having supported over 1m individuals in overcoming barriers to employment;

·                The current extent of coverage for services provided via the Trust and in partnership across not only Central England and the Home Counties but also more specifically across the West London region;

·                The main requirements and critical success factors identified in relation to delivery of the programme, which had been structured on a payment by results basis.  The critical success factors were identified as – helping those with a disability or health condition, the long term unemployed or other disadvantaged groups to find and sustain work; integrate the programme with local services and health provision so participants receive more co-ordinated and holistic support; and meeting local priorities and need;

·                The key differences between the programme and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) National Contract, which would include outcomes based on earning the London Living Wage; 15 months’ delivery plus 6 months of in-work support; the inclusion of additional priority groups for early access and referrals only through a Job Centre Plus (JCP) Work Coach;

·                The key elements involved in delivery of the programme which would be focussed around a one to one relationship with a dedicated support manager supported by the Shaw Trust Health and Wellbeing Team in a local hub, local specialists and expert volunteers with time credits to promote social inclusion;

·                An outline of a participants expected journey through the programme and of the Inclusive Employment Service with a dedicated West London Team;

·                The alignment between the programme and delivery of the Boards priorities;

·                The added value from Shaw Trust’s involvement in the programme involving a commitment for up-front investment supported by the re-investment of contract surpluses which would translate, as an example, into – a new Work and Wellbeing Hub based in Ealing; expert volunteers supporting participants and facilitating community integrations; the offer of time credits and closer integration of services with the opportunity to jointly commission and better combine resources.

Comments were then sought on the programme, with the following issues raised in the discussion that followed:

a.         Thanks were expressed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The report provides an update on work relating to the West London Orbital rail line. It sets out next steps, an indicative project plan and governance arrangements for taking the scheme to the next stage.

Luke Ward introduced the report which provided an update on progress made in developing proposals for delivery of a West London Orbital Railway.

The Board noted the summary of work undertaken to date, as set out in section 2.1 of the report, which had included a well-received tour of the proposed line undertaken in September 2017 with the Deputy Mayor for Transport along with senior representatives from TfL, Network Rail and the Old Oak Common and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).  Whilst a key milestone for the scheme would be publication of the final Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS), a range of work was progressing in the meantime in terms of developing the longer term project plan, wider engagement and business case, as detailed in section 2.2 of the report.

Assuming the MTS would contain the necessary support for the scheme to proceed a number of work streams had been identified, which were outlined in section 3 of the report:

·                Technical planning studies;

·                Funding package development;

·                Community and civic engagement and consultation;

·                Governance processes

In the meantime exploratory discussions were continuing with TfL and other relevant partners, in anticipation of the MTS being published, in order to consider how best to secure the necessary level of funding to move the project forward and in relation to the technical and planning work that would be required.

In terms of feedback on the update the Chair was keen to ensure that the earlier comments made by Mr Cox were noted and the opportunity was taken to consider as wide a range of options in terms of the schemes technical development as possible.  Luke Ward confirmed that the issues raised had been noted and that whilst the scheme was still at an early stage in terms of its technical development, the need to ensure its scope was “future proofed” to include as wide a range of options as possible had been recognised.  As part of this process the Board, whilst recognising a need to manage expectations in advance of the MTS being finalised, were keen to ensure that the positive approach and progress made to date was maintained.  The opportunities created by the potential links to projects such as High Speed 2, Crossrail, the Chiltern and North Line Extensions and Brent Cross Thameslink development were noted but at the same time the Board remained aware of the need to ensure the necessary strategic overview was maintained in order to avoid the risk of any one scheme precluding another.  This would require careful management and ongoing engagement with key partners such as TfL, Network Rail and Department for Transport.

As a result of the update it was RESOLVED:

(1)       to note overall progress on the project achieved to date;

(2)       to note the outline programme of activity and project plan identified to move the project forward as detailed in sections 2 and 3 of the report, along with the key stakeholders at national regional and local level that would need to continue to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

This report outlines and seeks support for a West London bid for Phase 6 One Public Estate funding.  A summary of the bid submission is contained in Appendix 1 of the report.

Michael Lockwood (Chief Executive – London Borough of Harrow) introduced the report updating the Board on the development and submission of a bid for Phase 6 One Public Estate (OPE) funding involving sites across Ealing, Harrow, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham.

The submission of the bid was designed to build on existing OPE programmes in Brent and Barnet and involved £1m of OPE revenue funding and approx. £6m capital funding from the DCLGs Land Release Fund, with an announcement on its outcome anticipated in early December 17.

The Board noted the significant benefits which it was felt an OPE programme for West and North West London had the potential to unlock supported by work already being undertaken by the West London Alliance and partners to develop a more integrated approach towards the use of land and assets.

Following the update provided the Board RESOLVED to note and support the contents of the West London bid for One Public Estate funding for ten sites across four west London Boroughs, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

The Board is asked to review and note the Forward Plan of items scheduled for future meetings.

Luke Ward presented the Forward Plan to the Board, which outlined the programme of items planned for consideration at future meetings.

The Board noted the Forward Plan with members keen to support the continued programme of engagement with the various Deputy Mayor’s it was proposed to invite as guest speakers at future meetings, particularly in relation to Housing and Business.

Following the update provided by the Shaw Trust on the devolved Work & Health Programme the Board felt it would be helpful to receive a further six month progress report on delivery of the scheme, which would therefore be scheduled for 2018.

Before closing the meeting, the Chair advised members that this was due to be Michael Lockwood’s final Board meeting prior to him retiring as Chief Executive of the London Borough of Harrow.  Members took the opportunity to thank Michael for all his efforts and support in relation to both the Board and West London Alliance.

Members noted that the next meeting was scheduled to take place at 10:00am on Wednesday 21 February 2018 in the Boardroom at Westminster University, 309 Regents Street, London, W18 2HW.