The Economy and Social Advancement Policy and Accountability Committee met on Monday 20 July 2026 to discuss priorities and challenges for the borough's economy and social advancement, focusing on the Upstream London vision. Key discussions included the Pathway Bond programme for young people, employment and skills initiatives, business support, regeneration, and the refresh of the Council's Equalities Plan. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming municipal year.

Priorities and Challenges for the Economy and Social Advancement

The committee received a comprehensive overview of the Council's work related to the Upstream London vision, which aims to establish Hammersmith & Fulham as an innovation campus borough and a centre for inclusive, innovation-led growth. David Pack, Lead Assistant Director for Economic Development, presented the report, highlighting the borough's economic strengths, such as a skilled workforce and growth in high-value sectors like science, technology, engineering, medicine, and media (STEM³). However, he also outlined significant challenges, including national economic pressures like inflation and youth economic inactivity, as well as local issues such as a weakening labour market and high office vacancy rates.

A central focus of the discussion was the Pathway Bond programme, designed to connect young people with employers and career opportunities. Councillor Hannah Bulmer, Cabinet Member for Social Advancement and the Pathway Bond, explained that the programme engages young people through work experience, careers events, and school outreach, involving over 115 employers and nearly 2,000 young people to date. While the programme has seen positive employer engagement, challenges remain in ensuring accessibility for all and securing widespread participation. A digital campaign to attract employers had limited success, leading to a shift towards direct outreach and networking. The committee also heard about the role of Let Me Play, a commissioned organisation providing pre- and post-placement support to young people, which has been positively received.

The committee also discussed employment and skills initiatives, including the H&F Works job brokerage service, which supports residents into employment, apprenticeships, and training. David Pack noted a recent dip in the borough's employment rate and confirmed that a data dashboard was being developed to better understand the contributing factors. The interaction between H&F Works and the Pathway Bond was also a point of discussion, with assurances that both programmes operate within the same service area and are being reviewed for better alignment. Longer-term ambitions include a Pathway Bond Plus model to support adults with retraining and career progression.

Support for small businesses was another key theme. The H&F Business Desk was described as a one-stop shop offering advice and signposting to various support services, including assistance with business rates and access to specialist advisors. While the service is promoted through newsletters, social media, and networking events, Councillor David Campbell requested to be added to the business newsletter mailing list to help disseminate information to local businesses. Concerns were raised by Councillor Natalie Lindsay about inconsistent advice from different council departments, leading to a perception of the Council not being business-friendly. David Pack acknowledged these concerns and confirmed that work is underway to streamline business interactions and present a more unified approach.

The committee also received updates on the Civic Campus project, which is nearing completion despite contractor issues, and the Regeneration and Affordable Housing Delivery programme, which aims to deliver 1,800 new homes, with a significant proportion being affordable. Challenges related to development viability and funding constraints were highlighted.

Yvonne Okiyo, Strategic Lead for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, presented plans to refresh the Council's Equalities Plan for 2026-2030. The refreshed plan will focus on embedding equity and inclusion across all council services and partnerships, with key priorities including tackling structural barriers, supporting young people, fostering inclusive growth, and becoming an employer of choice. The importance of co-production, community voice, and measurable impact through data collection was emphasised.

Finally, the committee reviewed its proposed work programme for the upcoming municipal year. While the programme included items such as the Pathway Bond, Equalities Plan, and H&F Works, discussions led to suggestions for adjustments, including potentially bringing forward the review of business friendliness and streamlining council interactions with businesses. The Chair, Councillor Rory Vaughan, confirmed that the work programme would be flexible and could be adapted throughout the year.

The next meeting of the Economy and Social Advancement Policy and Accountability Committee is scheduled for 4 November 2026.