Agenda item

Update the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in this portfolio.

4.1       The Committee received a written and short verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Business, Licensing and Planning on current and forthcoming matters in the portfolio.

4.2       The Committee discussed the following topics in detail:

•           the Council and Mayoral activity to attract investment into the West End. It was noted that the Council was working with diplomats through the Chamber of Commerce;

•           the Committee’s concerns over the multi-faceted nature of the Cabinet Member’s portfolio. The Cabinet Member informed the Committee that footfall was still less than 50% as expected in some areas of the West End and Council teams were working hard to boost the local Westminster economy;

•           the closure of a dog park in Paddington Recreation Ground;

•           the height of planned building developments;

•           the cost and project management of the Strand/Aldwych development programme;

•           the retention of the successful pop-ups in Somerset House and whether these could be made permanent;

•           the artist residency on the roof at Temple Station and how the space could be utilised more effectively for community engagement and activity; and

•           the continuation of the al-fresco dining scheme into the winter.

4.3       Concerning the dog park in Paddington Recreation Ground, members raised concerns on behalf of residents about the closure of the dog park. After further discussion between members, it was noted that the dog parks in Paddington Recreation Ground were open.

4.4       Concerning building heights in Westminster, the Committee was advised that the new City Plan specified that buildings could not be taller than prevailing buildings subject to exceptions in the Paddington and Victoria Opportunity Areas.

4.5       The Committee discussed the Strand/Aldwych in detail, querying whether nearby businesses and universities were financially contributing to the development and what the benefits to residents would be. It was noted that this was a highly polluted area, with the Strand Aldwych being described as one of the most polluted stretches of highway in the country but that residents would feel the health and economic impacts of the project. The Committee observed that the investment in the Strand Aldwych was “immense” compared with the investment costs for Harrow Road (£900,000), noting that both were highly polluted areas of the City. The Committee requested the Cabinet Member to ensure levelling up across all areas of Westminster.

4.6       The Committee noted that 350 pavement licenses had been granted for this winter and that this was expected to rise to 400. The Committee also queried how the “winterisation” of the scheme could comply with the City Council’s Climate Action agenda. The Cabinet Member noted that the Council would be encouraging businesses to use electric heaters and blankets to be as eco-friendly as possible, and that the scheme would only continue where there was resident support.

4.7       The Committee also raised the issue of the Business Rates Relief scheme and whether there was a backlog. The Committee heard from the Cabinet Member that the reliefs available were applied automatically. Cllr Aicha Less raised that this backlog was affecting non-essential retail shops. The Cabinet Member requested Cllr Less to contact him with a list of specific cases.

4.8       ACTIONS: The Committee requested:

•           a written briefing on the targets set for the Westminster Investment Service.