Decision details

This report seeks Cabinet approval for H&F's Affordable Workspace Strategy: 2026-2031, a priority project within the Upstream London delivery programme. The Strategy aims to address clear market failures in affordable workspace provision by exploring the full range of levers available to the Council - moving beyond planning policy alone to actively curate an affordable workspace ecosystem. This approach proposes facilitating, implementing and brokering delivery through four priority interventions, deploying £8.2 million of Section 106 funding ringfenced specifically for affordable workspace in the borough.

This comprehensive approach aims to serve STEM³-related sectors, directly supporting the Upstream London vision by ensuring innovative businesses can access suitable, affordable space to start and scale. Cabinet is asked to approve the Strategy as a strategic framework while noting that any future funding allocations to specific activities outlined in the Strategy will be the subject of future reports as required by the Council’s usual governance processes.

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the adoption of H&F’s Affordable Workspace Strategy, 2026-2031, as set out in Appendix 1.

2.    Note that the indicative budget allocations set out in the Strategy are subject to change depending on delivery opportunities and more detailed work on the interventions.

3.    Note that any spending decisions will be the subject of future reports as required by the Council’s usual governance processes.