Key Political Activity (National, Regional and Local)
The Government have published plans fornew towns, with over 100 sites across England identified. A Towns Taskforce will be established.
The Government have published Streamlining Infrastructure Planningwhich proposes: acceleration of the planning process, more frequent reviews of National Policy Statements, a reduction in consultation requirements, supporting infrastructure delivery post-consent, and strengthening statutory guidance.
A £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund has been announced to support arts venues, museums, libraries, and heritage buildings. Bidding has also been launched for AI Growth Zones – local authorities are encouraged to develop AI infrastructure hubs to attract private sector investment.
During last week’s Mayor’s Question Time, the Mayor’s 2025-26 budget was discussed by the London Assembly.
The Mayor has published his Growth Plan. A short analysis and our public comment on the plan is here.
The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has published their report on the evening and night time economy.
Conservative candidate Martin Hayes won the Vincent Square by-election with 45.4% of the vote defeating Labour’s Camadoo-Rothwell who received 32.5% of the vote. Labour’s WCC majority is now 29-25. The by-election result offers insight into voter sentiment ahead of next year’s local elections.
Public hearings have been scheduled for the City Plan Partial Review in April and May to examine WCC’s retrofit-first policy, affordable housing requirements and site allocations.
WCC has approved budget measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. This includes recruiting eight new City Inspectors and doubling CCTV coverage to 200 cameras, with 40 new ones in the West End. This £2m investment marks the biggest council security upgrade in nearly a decade, with the full budget set for a vote on 5 March.
HOLBA Key Public Affairs Activity
Submitted consultation response to the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan 2025-29
Submitted consultation response to TfL’s plans to regulate pedicabs
Met with Cllr Paul Swaddle to discuss shared key priorities
Reached out to new Cllr Max Sullivan to discuss placeshaping strategy and projects for the borough
Hosted Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (in partnership with BusinessLDN) on 27 February
Invited Mayor Sadiq Khan to speak at HOLBA’s 24 hour economy event at the end of April
Looking ahead – Key Activity
Submit our response to the Government’s consultation on business rate multipliers and launch a media and advocacy campaign
Publish a fuller response to the Mayor’s Growth Plan to include details of a new special designation proposed for the HOL area
Gather views and develop a response to the GLA consultation on the transformation of Oxford Street
Attend a roundtable discussion with Superintendent Beth Pirie and the Westminster BIDs group on 6 March to discuss crime and safety
Write to the Treasury about additional resources for the Met Police ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review
Meet with Shadow Minister of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Saqib Bhatti MP to discuss the contribution of UK culture to the creative economy
Finalise plans for a roundtable discussion on the soft power of the West End with Lord Edward Young to be held on 22 May
