Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Stephen Cowan (Hammersmith & Fulham Council).  It was also reported that Councillor Shital Manro would be formally substituting for Councillor Peter Mason (Ealing Council).

The board is asked to confirm the appointment of the Chair for 2024-25.

The Board RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Muhammed Butt (Brent Council) as Chair for the upcoming year.

Having been appointed as Chair, Councillor Muhammed Butt took the opportunity to formally thank Councillor Peter Mason (Ealing Council) for his work as Chair of the Board during the previous year and to highlight his ambition to continue the ongoing collaborative work between member boroughs being led through the Board and West London Alliance.

The board is asked to elect a vice-chair for 2024-25.

The Board RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Paul Osborn (Harrow Council) as Vice-Chair for 2024-25.

Members of the Board are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

No declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last Board meeting held on Thursday 18 January 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the West London Economic Prosperity Board held on Thursday 18 January 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To receive an update from the Greater London Authority on the ongoing work to understand and mitigate electrical supply constraints in West London; and discuss and inform next steps.

The Board are asked to note that Molly Strauss (Head of Infrastructure, Greater London Authority) has been invited to attend for this item.

The Chair welcomed Molly Strauss (Head of Infrastructure Greater London Authority) to the meeting and invited her to introduce a report updating the Board on the work being undertaken to understand and mitigate electrical supply constraints across the West London region, being led through the GLA in collaboration with West London Alliance boroughs.

The report was accompanied by a presentation at the meeting, with the following key issues highlighted:

·             The background and context to the work being undertaken to address electricity capacity issues across the region, given the impact of a number of large scale developments on the electricity distribution network operated by local supply networks and the transmission network operated by National Grid.  Whilst the transmission network was currently scheduled for upgrade in 2037, the GLA had already facilitated a range of short and medium-term solutions to alleviate constraints so that housing and decarbonisation technologies (e.g. electric vehicle charge points) could secure connections in the interim.

·             As part of the approach identified, the Mayor had funded development of a subregional Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) in collaboration with West London Alliance (WLA) boroughs, working alongside two other boroughs and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).  The LAEPs were designed to translate Net Zero targets into on-the-ground action and provide a key input into the design of electricity network planning and investment processes across the areas covered.  The West London subregional LAEP had been the first rolled out in London and had led to the introduction of a number of other Mayoral funded subregional LAEPs across London (supported by London Councils).

·             The LAEPs had been developed to provide a whole system approach in seeking to join up energy sources and consumers, break down silos and connect physical requirements with policy, market and digital systems.  Boroughs were encouraged to adapt and take forward the key actions and outputs identified, based on the specific make up of their areas and supported by the GLA, including delivery of potential funding support through the Zero Carbon Accelerator (ZCA).

·             Key outputs identified as needing to be addressed through the West London subregional LAEP had included the ongoing anticipated increase in electricity demand being driven through housing, commercial and also data centre development across the region in addition to the roll out of low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and Electric Vehicle Charging points; the need to enhance performance in relation to the energy rating performance of domestic building stock including opportunities to retrofit and target new buildings through effective planning policy; the need to address electrical grid constraints; the need to consider the opportunities available to establish heat networks across the region based on areas of viable demand and also the need to consider the potential options to increase use of solar PV generation.

·             Following completion of the first phase of the West London subregional LAEP seven work packages had been identified to progress at subregional level.  These reflected key themes in terms of decarbonisation of major energy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To hear initial findings fromCentre for London research on the changing economy of West London, commissioned by the London Borough Ealing and supported by the West London Alliance and Imperial College London, and help to inform the research and its conclusions.

The Board are asked to note that Rob Anderson (Research Director, Centre for London) has been invited to attend for this item.

(Agenda republished to include accompanying presentation slides on 13 November 2024)

Councillor Shital Manro was invited to briefly introduce the item outlining initial findings from the Centre for London on research they had been commissioned to undertake by the London Borough of Ealing (led by Councillor Peter Mason) on the changing economy of West London, supported by the WLA and Imperial College London.

The Chair welcomed Rob Anderson (Research Director – Centre for London) to the meeting, who had been invited to provide a brief presentation on the emerging findings from the research.  The following key issues were highlighted as part of the update:

·             The outline of the main project objectives, focussed on providing an analysis of the current and emerging economic landscape in West London (initially focussed on Ealing) and comparison with Central London and the Central Activities Zone (CAZ); identifying opportunities for high growth, sustainable economic development in West London; outlining key principles and a supporting narrative for a polycentric approach to growth in London and what would be needed for that to succeed in West London; and providing an outline of the economies and diseconomies of agglomeration in London with particular reference to the evolving role of the CAZ and its relationship with emerging growth corridors (including the West Tech Corridor) and the London Growth Plan.

·             The research process undertaken, which the Board noted had included a review of existing economic policies, primary data analysis including metrics on business, economy, planning, transport and population, expert interviews and feedback from advisory group sessions including representatives from WLA and Imperial College.

·             The outline of emerging findings, which included:

Ø   A working definition of polycentrism based on the concept of a city with multiple centres of growth and urban areas with distinct local characters, complemented by development to support those centres rather than as 'enclaves' to growth in the metropolitan centre.  This would include on a physical basis multiple urban centres within a wider geographical framework or governing structure, and on a functional basis multiple self-sustaining economic centres of growth which were evenly distributed to support sub-regional development supported by an effective and evenly distributed transport network.

Ø   West London being identified as functional polycentrism “ready”, on the basis of it featuring multiple centres of economic activity with the ability to disperse growth and economic opportunity more evenly than the CAZ.

Ø   West London’s strong foundational economy providing resilience and in turn supporting self-sufficiency.  This included a resilient construction and logistics base which had enabled the region to grow consistently despite recent challenges, which contrasted directly with the CAZ where footfall and consumer activity had heavily determined growth.  Despite lower rates of business births and deaths, these were also more stable and consistent than Central London.

Ø   West London was already outperforming other parts of London in key sectors with signs of ongoing business strength and rising prosperity.  This was reflected in the growth in professional, scientific and technical businesses since 2010 and also in terms of the region experiencing increases in VAT receipts and faster  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive a verbal update on progress in developing and promoting the proposed scheme.

Attached, for reference, is the latest brochure setting out the scope and benefits of the scheme.

Prior to the provision of a verbal update on progress in developing and promoting the West London Orbital Rail (WLO) scheme the Chair welcomed Mr John Cox (as a local resident) to the meeting who had requested to speak on the item.

In thanking the Chair for the opportunity to address the meeting, Mr Cox noted the previous update in January 2024.  At that stage, members had been informed of the progress being made in completion of the GRIP 2 Stage of work which it had been anticipated would confirm technically feasibility of the scheme and include an updated cost estimate enabling a decision to be taken on the next stage of work involving detailed design and public consultation in order to move to the GRIP 3 stage.  Mr Cox expressed a desire for more concrete details on the subsequent progress made.

Mr Cox also raised the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation’s (OPDC) approach towards development on Old Oak West and the implications he felt this may have on the benefits of WLO across other parts of West London and Park Royal.  Concerns were also highlighted in relation to the impact on the surrounding area of the proposed removal of a footbridge at North Acton station.

As a final comment, clarification was also sought on the membership & quorum arrangements for the Board, which the Chair advised would be addressed outside of the meeting.

In thanking Mr Cox for his attendance, ongoing interest and representations made in relation to progress on West London Orbital Rail the Chair then invited David Francis (Director - West London Alliance) to provide a brief update on progress in development of the scheme, with the following issues highlighted:

·             Confirmation was provided that the GRIP Stage 2 process had been completed with work now underway to move to Stage 3 and the project advancing toward the Transport and Works Act phase.

·             Subject to completion of the necessary stages and confirmation of the required funding, the aim was to have completed delivery of the scheme to coincide with the opening of HS2.  The complex nature of the process was noted given the various partners and stakeholders involved including TfL, GLA, London Boroughs and the new Government.  Whilst the strategic case for WLO included a focus on enhanced connectivity, reduced congestion, and the creation of new homes and jobs it was noted delivery would also be contingent upon the necessary funding allocations being made available as part of the Business Case, which would need to include consideration of TfL’s financial settlement.

Given the limited time available for the remainder of the meeting, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Chair) in acknowledging the points raised by Mr Cox confirmed the Board’s commitment to delivery of WLO given its strategic importance for West London.  This included support for the ongoing collaboration between the WLA, GLA and TfL to develop the business cases and maximize the associated housing, business, and leisure opportunities.

On this basis, the Board  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.1     Change of Chair of the West London Skills and Employment Board

Prior to closing the meeting, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Chair) took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor Steve Cowan (Hammersmith & Fulham) on his appointment as the new Chair of the West London Skills and Employment Board, succeeding Councillor Barry Rawlings in the role.

The Board are asked to confirm the following programme of dates for future meetings scheduled during 2024-25, which will be hosted by the London Borough Brent:

·             Tuesday 25 February 2025 – 11am

·             Tuesday 3 June 2025 – 11am

·             Tuesday 16 September 2025 – 11am

The Board RESOLVED to confirm the following programme of dates for meetings during 2025:

·             Tuesday 25 February 25 – 11am Conference Hall, Brent Civic Centre

·             Tuesday 3 June 25 – 11am Conference Hall, Brent Civic Centre

·             Tuesday 16 Sept 25 – 11am Conference Hall, Brent Civic Centre