The West London Economic Prosperity Board was scheduled to discuss the region's economic vision and priorities, as well as the progress of the West London Orbital rail scheme. The meeting also included an update on the West London Alliance's forward plan and a review of the state of the West London economy.

West London Vision, Economic Priorities and WLEPB Forward Plan

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the vision work commissioned by West London Alliance (WLA) leaders. This vision, approved on 21 December 2023, is titled Connected communities in the world's most connected place, today and tomorrow and aims to make West London more inclusive, productive, resilient, and influential. Leaders also agreed to develop a joint strategy for influencing decision-makers on issues of mutual interest, such as skills, infrastructure, and public service funding. The West London Economic Prosperity Board (WLEPB) is intended to be a key vehicle for driving these shared priorities.

A proposed forward plan and standing agenda for the WLEPB for 2024/25 was presented for discussion and approval. This plan aims to ensure substantive discussions on key issues are scheduled in advance, allowing time to clarify objectives, invite relevant stakeholders, and prepare for informed discussions. The report highlighted that without such a plan, meetings could become more ad-hoc, potentially not making the best use of Leaders' time.

The forward plan outlines potential items for discussion across four quarters of 2024/25. These include:

• Q1 2024/25: A discussion on London as a polycentric city, led by the EPB Chair, Councillor Peter Mason, exploring emerging findings from a research project and its implications for West London. This quarter also includes a discussion on Universal Support, focusing on the delivery of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)-funded employment support after the Work and Health Programme.
• Q2 2024/25: A discussion on the West London Orbital (WLO) rail scheme, focusing on decisions regarding proceeding to the next stage of work and potential discussions with the Government. This quarter also includes a review of inward investment, business retention, and growth activities in West London.
• Q3 2024/25: A discussion on Mayoral priorities and devolution, examining priorities for the 2024-28 London Mayoral term and seeking further devolution from the Government. This quarter also features a presentation and discussion led by the Chair of the West London Skills and Employment Board, Councillor Barry Rawlings, on key collaborative initiatives such as No Wrong Door and Skills Hubs.
• Q4 2024/25: A Stocktake post-General Election to review the national political picture and its implications for West London. This quarter also includes discussions on Heathrow and the M4 Corridor to build stronger economic partnerships to the West, and West London energy constraints and energy planning.

A longlist of additional topics for discussion was also provided, including digital innovation and clusters, Business Improvement Districts, and the links between anchor institutions and economic growth. The standing agenda for WLEPB meetings includes apologies for absence, declarations of interest, previous minutes, urgent decisions, West London economic data, specific items from the forward plan, and any other business.

West London Orbital: Progress and Context, Anticipated Decisions and Next Steps

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the West London Orbital (WLO) rail scheme, a project being developed by West London Alliance (WLA) boroughs and Transport for London (TfL). The WLO aims to connect Hendon/Brent Cross and/or Cricklewood/West Hampstead to Hounslow, utilising existing track and a combination of existing and new stations.

The report highlighted that the WLO is intended to deliver several benefits across West London and beyond, including improving orbital travel for residents, workers, learners, and visitors; supporting economic and housing growth; better linking underserved communities to economic opportunities; and enhancing the resilience of the transport network. The scheme has received widespread support, including from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and is included in key policy documents such as the London Plan and the London Infrastructure Framework.

The WLO is approaching a key decision point, anticipated after the Mayoral elections. A range of work is underway to assess the scheme's costs, benefits, and funding options. This includes the final outputs from Stage 2 of the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) process, which will provide updated cost estimates and route options. An independent assessment of the WLO's benefits across various geographies is also being conducted, alongside a refreshed analysis of potential funding options.

The report noted that recent trends and developments reinforce the case for the WLO. These include the continued recovery of passenger demand, the impact of the Elizabeth Line on travel patterns, and the opening of Brent Cross West Station, which includes passive provision for the WLO. The report also referenced the implications of HS2, the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), and persistent economic drivers such as the gap in house price affordability and higher unemployment rates in London compared to the England average.

Ahead of the forthcoming Mayoral and General Elections, partners were encouraged to reinforce the case for the WLO publicly and secure further support. Following the Mayoral elections, partners will need to decide whether to progress the WLO to the next stages of the GRIP process, which would involve detailed work towards a single design option, public consultation, and formal application to the Government. Agreement on detailed proposals to finance the construction of the WLO, likely requiring a hybrid funding and financing model, will also be necessary.

The report included statements of support for the WLO from various figures, including the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Councillor Shama Tatler (Deputy Leader, LB Brent), and Councillor Krupa Sheth (LB Brent) and Councillor Alan Schneiderman (LB Barnet). Broader support was also cited from London Councils, the Centre for London, the National Infrastructure Commission, and BusinessLDN.

The report recommended that Leaders note the progress and next steps in the development of the WLO and reaffirm their support for the scheme prior to the upcoming elections. The work on the WLO is being funded through London's Strategic Investment Pot (SIP).

State of the West London Economy

The Board was scheduled to receive an overview of the economy and skills in West London. This report, introduced by David Francis, Director of the West London Alliance (WLA), covered aspects such as unemployment, deprivation, the context of net zero targets, business profiles, strategic sites for new homes, Heathrow travel statistics, the West London Orbital, and digital connectivity.

Key points noted from the report included:

• The population in West London had increased to over two million according to the 2021 census, a rise of 9.2%, compared to a London-wide increase of 7.7%.
• In May 2023, 69,055 WLA residents claimed unemployment-related benefits, an increase from previous years.
• There were over 115,000 businesses in West London, with approximately 90% employing fewer than nine people.
• As of May 2021, there were around 930,000 jobs in the region, representing about 17% of the London total.
• Heathrow passenger numbers had returned to pre-pandemic levels, with nearly seven million passengers in May 2023.
• Regarding the Mayor's Pathway to Net Zero target of a 27% reduction in car travel, West London boroughs, with the exception of Hammersmith & Fulham, were above the London average for car travel as a mode of transport.

David Francis indicated that this data would continue to be refined as part of developing a dashboard for future meetings.

Councillor Peter Mason commented on the demographic shift in outer London becoming younger, contrasting with inner London's ageing population, and the implications for school rolls and commuting. He highlighted the challenge for the WLA in bringing good jobs back into town centres and urban locations. Councillor Shama Tatler raised the issue of identifying barriers to attracting business investment in the WLA area and how the seven boroughs can compete for investment. Councillor Shantanu Rajawat pointed out that many existing jobs in parts of the WLA area were low-paying and stressed the importance of attracting sustainable funding for achieving net zero carbon.

The Board was scheduled to note the data and analysis provided in the report.