Tuesday 13 May:

Key Political Activity

Central Government

• The US imposed a baseline 10% tariff on UK exports, with higher tariffs of 25% on specific goods like cars, steel and aluminium.  The Chancellor has taken steps to mitigate the impact on the UK economy that include: a review of Low Value Imports, boosting financing support for British businesses (UK Export Finance has expanded its support by £20 billion) and the British Business Bank has increased its Growth Guarantee Scheme.

Greater London Authority

• The Mayor will potentially be granted new powers to overturn council decisions on late night venues, in an aim to boost London’s nightlife. In response to the announcement, Westminster City Council said it granted the “vast majority” of licensing applications and only refused ones where safety concerns had been raised by the police or because significant disruption was likely.  Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business, and Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, have also published a letter calling on London’s boroughs to support alfresco dining and late-night openings during the spring and summer.
• London’s 33 borough council leaders made a united cross-party call for “a seat at the table” as part of a new devolution settlement for the capital. They want 12 council leaders to sit on a Greater Manchester-style “combined board” to ensure agreement on issues that the Government have devolved to London.
• The London Assembly has published a report calling on the Mayor to revitalise London’s high streets. HOLBA responded to the consultation last year and some of our key evidence/advocacy priorities have been included e.g.  the current financial pressures on hospitality and retail businesses, the growing demand for experiences and services, the limited opportunities for smaller enterprises and creative ventures to establish themselves due to high property costs and transformative role of art, creativity and heritage.

Westminster City Council

• Paul Fisher, Labour councillor for the West End ward, defected to the Conservatives, criticising Sadiq Khan’s handling of crime and his plans for Oxford Street. The West End ward is now represented by two Conservative councillors and one Labour councillor, with the third seat expected to be a key target for the Conservatives next year. Fisher’s departure leaves Labour with a slender majority of two on the Council.
• Westminster City Council has suspended two busking performance pitches in Leicester Square following a court ruling. The decision comes after a judge ordered the council to stop the “nuisance” caused by buskers, though street performers are not banned across Westminster.
• Westminster City Council has launched a “Community Planning Advice Service” providing residents and community groups with guidance on how to respond to major planning applications.
• The Westminster City Plan Partial Review Examination in Public took place between 29th April and 1st May.

Key HOLBA Activity

• Submitted our response to the GLA consultation on the proposed establishment of a Mayoral Development Corporation and the designation of a Mayoral Development Area for Oxford Street.
• Launched our campaign for reform of the UK business rate system which included a webinar.
• Supported Blue Note Jazz bar, J Sheekey and Horizons Casino with their planning/licensing applications
• Attended private meetings with Sir Mark Rowley and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alexis Boon to highlight and discuss crime levels in the West End and how we can work better together
• Attended quarterly meeting at TfL.  The final consultation on pedicab regulations/licensing will be launched in late Summer with the scheme on track to go live next April – the costs will be high to administer.  Requested a meeting to discuss the retail offer and aesthetics at Piccadilly Station.
• Secured Deputy Mayor for Business Howard Dawber and Councillor Geoff Barraclough to speak at HOLBA’s evening and night time economy event on 30 April
• Held meetings with planning and licensing consultants to feed into the proposition and evidence base for a new special designation in the Heart of London area
• Invited to be a part of the Mayor’s Nightlife Taskforce Advisory Group

Looking Ahead

• Updating members on the next stage of our Fairer Business Rates campaign
• Taking part in BusinessLDN’s new Cultural Council and feeding into the Creative Industries Sector Plan being developed by DCMS
• Briefing Howard Dawber for his attendance at the HOLBA board meeting on 12 June
• Developing our response to the Westminster After Dark consultation and consulting members
• Holding a lunch with Lord Edward Young lunch on 22 May to discuss the soft power of the West End
• Developing an itinerary for shadow DCMS Minister Saqib Bhatti MP to visit the Heart of London area on 4 June