Agenda item

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 growth in disposable household income than across the centre, indicating future potential for further investment and self-sufficiency.

Ø   The opportunities to accelerate West London’s economy towards functional polycentrism, which it was highlighted would require policy action in relation to skills and productivity; housing and population growth and transport.

·             In terms of next steps, work continued to complete the deep dive analysis including comparisons with Central London on land value, investment, living standards and deprivation and interviews with sector experts to build a broader insight into West London's economy and opportunities, with the aim of the final report being produced and launched in the coming months.

Sophie Beagles (Head of Regeneration, Investment & Jobs – Ealing Council) highlighted the extent of the work undertaken (based on Ealing as a case study) in developing the research and approach towards the concept of polycentrism.  In seeking views from the Board on the emerging findings, Rob Anderson ended by highlighting a number of areas for further consideration which included:

·             The way in which West London could capitalise on its ‘polycentrism-ready’ economic geography including the role of the New Towns agendaand grey-belt development.

·             How West London could seek to leverage opportunities such as the West Tech Corridor and large investment in R&D and Life Sciences announced in the Autumn Statement to continue to accelerate professional, scientific and technical business growth, and how the upcoming London Growth Plan may be able to further support this growth.

·             The role of regional housing delivery in West London and the opportunities presented by wider proposed planning reform in enabling a more polycentric model for London’s economy.

·             The potential for additional or improved transport infrastructure within West London to drive growth.

The Chair thanked Rob Anderson for the presentation and then sought comments and questions from the Board on the issues highlighted and prompts for discussion, with the following issues highlighted:

·             The need identified by Councillor Paul Osborn (Harrow Council) to recognise transport infrastructure as a key driver in terms of developing growth and integration across specific clusters and concern, as a result, at the associated impact of more limited connectivity currently experienced across parts of West London when compared to Central London.

·             The need identified to take account of the challenges in driving growth within specific types of areas and clusters when compared with the centre and to address wider structural inequalities.

In welcoming the update provided the Board RESOLVED as a way forward and in recognising the ongoing work being undertaken:

(1)        To note the update provided on the emerging findings and key themes in relation to the research commissioned from the Centre for London.

(2)        To consider the final research findings once available along with the implications for the role of the West London Alliance, collaboration with individual boroughs, impacts on transport infrastructure and specific clusters and how the approach could be made to work across West London as a whole.