Political Update

HOLBA Campaign Activity

Reducing Crime in the West End

• HOLBA is advocating for the creation of a new West End Crime Taskforce. Met with MOPAC, Westminster City Council, the Met and other BIDs to progress this initiative, with follow-up discussions set for September.
• Following a meeting in July with the Met to discuss their draft strategy (New Met for London Phase 2), a consultation on the document is now available for feedback via a survey. HOLBA will be responding by the deadline (14 September).

Enhancing the West End Proposition 

• Secured feedback on our Combined Business Rates proposal (which proposes reform of the current system) from the Institute of Directors, Westminster Property Association and The Tony Blair Institute.
• Secured media coverage which highlighted the impact of the Government's proposed business rates reforms on the West End.
• In the pipeline: meetings with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and MP Rachel Blake to press for business rates reform.
• Prepared for Opportunity London visit to the West End on 3 September with Deputy Mayors Howard Dawber and Jules Pipe, and the London Real Estate Forum roundtable discussion on 17 September to discuss a new International Centre designation for the West End

Shaping the West End’s Public Realm

• Conducted a walk around the Heart of London area with Cllr Max Sullivan (Cabinet member for Streets and Cycling Champion) to discuss key placemaking projects.
• Responded to WCC consultations on the main modifications to the partial review of the City Plan and the public realm proposals for Regent St, Piccadilly Circus and Haymarket.
• Liaised with City Hall about the launch of the al fresco scheme on St Martin's Lane, attended by Deputy Mayors Howard Dawber and Justine Simons.

Strengthening Stakeholder Influence

• Prepared for panel discussion at Westminster Property Association's Annual West End Market Update: Investment & Development on 4 September.

Government Policy Updates

Inner London set to lose under council funding reforms

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that inner London councils could see real‑terms funding drop by 11–12% by 2028–29 under the Government’s planned overhaul of local authority finance.

Government unveils new Small Business Plan to boost growth

Backing Your Business - a strategy to support small and medium-sized enterprises and the self-employed has been launched to reduce red tape, tackle late payments, expand access to finance, revitalise high streets, improve digital skills, and simplify procurement.

City Hall seeks design teams for Oxford Street transformation

The tender opened to appoint two design teams to deliver the Oxford Street Transformation Programme. One team will lead on detailed designs for the section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, while the other will produce a whole-street concept from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road. The contract is due to begin in September.

Expansion of vehicle anti‑social behaviour measures

Westminster City Council (WCC) is proposing to extend its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to cover Soho and Mayfair, targeting anti-social vehicle use such as engine revving, racing, stunts, and obstructive behaviour.

Crime crackdown

WCC is funding its own Metropolitan Police officers for the first time, launching a £3m Police and Council Tasking Team to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime hotspots across central London. Nine Met officers will join the 18-person unit, working alongside council enforcement teams to target persistent offenders and provide a visible presence.

Consultation on Retrofit Guidance Document

WCC is undertaking consultation on the new Retrofit First Policy Guidance. The consultation closes at midnight on 10 October.