Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Jon Pickstone (Strategic Director of Economy) and Councillor Andrew Jones (Cabinet Member for the Economy).

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting and note any outstanding actions.

The minutes of the Economy, Arts, Sports and Public Realm Policy and Accountability Committee meeting held on 30 January 2023 were approved.

This item provides an update on the refresh of Hammersmith & Fulham's Industrial Strategy.

Councillor Stephen Cowan (Leader of the Council) introduced the item. He set the context of where the Council was within the lifespan of the Industrial Strategy, as well as provide an overview of the current economic growth within the borough. Details were provided on how the strategy had evolved from the early work conducted in partnership with Imperial College, London, to where it currently stood, having incorporated continual learning from several innovation districts across the globe.

The Committee noted that the strategy took inspiration from the German model of Länder and city states. Details were provided on the role of key partners / drivers of the Industrial Strategy. In particular, the pivotal roles played by Professor Alice Gast (previous President of Imperial College London) and by Greg Jackson (Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy Group) and Sophie Devonshire (CEO of The Marketing Society) as ‘business commissioners’ at the birth of the strategy, as well as the shared vision of the Council and its partners to become a global economic hotspot.

Highlighting some key statistics, it was noted that Hammersmith and Fulham had received £5 billion worth of high value business investment since 2017, which was more than all of the rest of West London put together. The reason the Council was taking the strategy into its next phase was to ensure it was inclusive, developed further, and by doing so, became the new Silicon Valley in Europe.

Andrew Munk (Assistant Director Economic Development) reiterated the aim of the taking the strategy into its next phase and the Committee noted that officers were working on a action plan and governance plan to oversee the strategy.

David Pack (Strategic Head – Industrial Strategy) provided a presentation which covered the following aspects:

·       The progress made since 2017.

·       Contextual change - the different social and economic backdrop.

·       The changed context along with relevant manifesto commitments – An indicative chapter/topic list (of 1.Opportunity, 2. Growth,3. Inclusion and

4. Place).

·       Some illustrative outcomes under each of the four chapters.

·       The wider considerations for refreshing the Industrial Strategy.

·       A suggested time-line for the strategy.

·       Employing a culture of delivery to drive a refreshed industrial strategy.

Councillor Adam Peter Lang commented that the term ‘refresh’ was a good word to use. He explained it was important to take stock of where the strategy was. He highlighted his interest in the pandemic and mused what was the same, what was different and what would be different in urban areas in the future. It was important for the Council to be ambitious but also realistic in what it set out to achieve. He commended the innovation and suggested this could be communicated more clearly to residents.

Referencing a book entitled No Ordinary Disruption: The Four Global Forces Breaking all the Trends – Councillor Stephen Cowan explained that compared to the Industrial Revolution, current change was happening 10 times faster, on 300 times the scale and with 3 million more times the impact. Paraphrasing his words, while it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

This report updates the Committee on progress in developing a ten-year Cultural Strategy for the borough.

David Pack, Strategic Head of Industrial Strategy introduced the report which provided an update on the development of a cultural strategy for Hammersmith and Fulham.

The Committee noted the strategy included three strategic themes, each of which were supported by outcomes. Officers confirmed these were intended to be delivered as a shared endeavour by all partners involved in the strategy’s implementation, with specific responsibilities set out in an accompanying, detailed action plan. These themed outcomes were the fundamental goals that the strategy sought to achieve, and they provided direction for all the actions and decisions made during the implementation process:

·       Destination: An exciting and healthy place in which to live, work, study and visit.

·       Creation: An even stronger cultural and creative sector driving the local economy

·       Inclusion: Our residents benefiting from participation in arts, culture and heritage.   

In terms of timescales, David Pack confirmed the intention was to present the strategy to Cabinet this summer (2023) and would include an action plan appended to the draft strategy.

Councillor Ashok Patel asked for further details to be provided on Activist Group and in terms of consultation, whether minority ethnic groups had been engaged. In response, David Pack provided details of who Activist Group were and their role in developing the Strategy. In terms of the consultation phase, he confirmed this had been far and wide and had included faith and community groups. And although a scientific approach had not been taken (to consultation) there had been a breadth of approach which had focused on geographic areas.

Councillor Adam Peter Lang noted that young people had very different views and perceptions of what culture was, and asked if the strategy could be strengthened in this regard. In response, Andrew Munk, Assistant Director Economic Development explained the strategy could be tweaked, so that more emphasis was placed on young people. He explained that ensuring there were clear pathways for the young people was important and the opportunities section of the strategy did need to be strengthened to make it more prominent.

Councillor Liz Collins highlighted the heritage aspects of the strategy and asked officers what young people perceived their heritage to be. In response, officers confirmed that to reinforce the strategy, the outcomes from the six workshops which had been conducted with young people in January 2023, could be incorporated within the strategy.

Councillor Jackie Borland asked about the consultation which had been conducted as part of the Christmas markets held in Hammersmith and North End Road in late 2022 and how many residents were engaged? In response, David Pack explained that this work was done by Activist and several hundred people had been canvassed.

Action – David Pack to provide further information regarding the consultation undertaken at Christmas markets held in Hammersmith and North End Road.

Councillor Jackie Borland commended the work which had been done so far on the Cultural Strategy, and especially the efforts in relation to heritage. She highlighted that the Borough had a number of wonderful sites and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

This report provides a progress update on the Civic Campus Programme, including the plans for the coming year and an indicative timetable to completion.

Joanne Woodward (Director of Planning and Property) introduced the report which provided a progress update on the Civic Campus and the plans for the coming year.

Philippa Cartwright (Project Director, Planning and Economic Development)

provided a presentation which covered the following aspects:

·       The project scope and delivery.

·       The opportunities afforded by the civic campus (Regeneration of western King Street, new homes, café, restaurant, shops, office and entertainment etc).

·       Details of the buildings and their context within the civic campus footprint.

·       A before and after set of visualisations.

·       Details of the energy strategy and use of a ground source heat pump.

·       Details of the design and co-production work.

·       Details of the design awards which had been won.

·       Progress to date and future works.

·       The impact of the civic campus and details on place shaping.

Councillor Adam Peter Lang commended the civic campus as a landmark of local democracy renewal. He asked if he were a local resident, rather than a Councillor, how would he find out about the project. In response, Philippa Cartwright provided an overview of the build to date, some of the issues that had arisen and explained that officers were currently working on a communications plan that would be rolled out in early June 2023. These details would be available on-line, in print and would clearly set out what the civic campus was and its goals.

Councillor Ashok Patel noted the estimated cost and projected income streams from the project and asked if Officers could comment further. In response, Philippa Cartwright confirmed the latest position statement was set out in February 2023 Cabinet report. Commenting further, the Leader, Councillor Stephen Cowan provided an update on the break-even projections for the project set against the context of stamp duty changes, Brexit, rising energy costs and the innovation required to create a sustainable invest to save project.

Councillor Jackie Borland commented on the design of the new public square in front of the Town Hall and noted that it did not incorporate any rain shelters. In response, Joanne Woodward confirmed that the Town Hall Commissioners had considered the architectural merits of the scheme, including planting and the views through the new square to the Town Hall. While shelters had been considered, it was felt on balance, that these would impinge on the views across the site to the attractive refurbished listed building. This also encouraged residents to go into the town hall and served to reinforce local democracy renewal.

Commenting further on the design, the Leader, Councillor Stephen Cowan confirmed a considerable amount of thought had gone into ensuring the town hall felt a special place. An aim of the civic campus had been to lock in future democracy and ensure the buildings became a time capsule of where local democracy currently stood.

The Chair, Councillor Rory Vaughan, asked about the status of Nigel Playfair Avenue. Officers confirmed this would be pedestrianised and would be highlighted in future communications about the civic campus. Reflecting on what the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

This report provides an update on the development of the borough’s Parks for the Future Strategy.

Steve Hollingworth (Assistant Director Leisure, Sport & Culture) provided a brief introduction, which was followed by a presentation from Richard Gill (Senior Parks Manager) on the development of the borough’s parks for the future strategy.

The presentation covered the following aspects:

•       Defining the Strategy

•       Setting the goals, including:

1.    Quality

2.    Accessibility

3.    Listening to residents

4.    Building alliances for change

5.    Celebrating the good stuff

6.    Staying Active

7.    Climate and biodiversity aware

8.    Measuring performance

•       Setting a timetable

•       Progress to date and next steps

Councillor Adam Peter Lang commented on the use of open spaces during pandemic period (for physical and mental health well-being) and agreed the Council had been right to close the parks early on. He noted that parks were important, as a high proportion of residents did not have their own personal outdoor space. He supported the work that was being undertaken and requested more trees were planted across the borough.

Given the heat waves and drought London suffered in 2022, Councillor Adam Peter Lang asked if there was any scope to drill in any of the borough’s parks to access groundwater and mentioned it was important that any new developments and changes to parks usage were clearly communicated to residents.

In response, Steve Hollingworth confirmed there would always be a formal tension over parks usage (dog walking, formal sport, activities and general recreational usage). He also confirmed that there was a bore hole in Hurlingham Park. In relation to selling parks and celebrating what they offered, he explained that new signage incorporating QR codes had been devised to enable residents to access information and a new online booking system was up and running  (so that pitches / areas could be booked for activities).

Councillor Ashok Patel asked what consultation had been done with schools (in relation to the Parks Forum) as some schools such as Hurlingham Academy did not have a playground. In response, Steve Hollingworth confirmed that parks were being booked (and heavily used) by schools but it was a difficult balance to strike between managing the space and sustainability of the parks. He confirmed that officers would continue to engage with schools and include them in the second consultation phase of the strategy. 

Councillor Jackie Borland noted that a number of private events had been held in Bishops Park and Hurlingham and it was important to residents that these spaces were returned to public use as quickly as possible. So, while events such as Polo in the Park were popular and well attended, it did close Hurlingham Park for a number of weeks. In response, Steve Hollingworth agreed there was a balance which needed to be struck between commercial and community events and ensuring sufficient engagement and consultation was conducted in advance. Commenting further, Councillor Stephen Cowan provided details on the commercial aspects of Polo in the Park and how this had grown and developed over successive years.

Councillor Liz Collins commented on some of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.