Forum Topic

Building London's sustainable and inclusive future.

I'm sure we'll all be cock a hoop when we learn about the far reaching decisions made on our behalf and without public consultation. PLENTY of non-public "consultation" though, if you read on.....  Building London's sustainable and inclusive future.London boroughs are set to unveil a list of key infrastructure projects needed to secure "a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable" future for the capital.The London Infrastructure Framework will be officially unveiled at UKREiiF 2023 – the UK's real estate investment and infrastructure forum - in Leeds later today.The framework, which has been developed with the boroughs by the economic consultancy Metro Dynamics and through close working with the Greater London Authority and Transport for London, will promote more efficient planning and delivery of infrastructure and enable a more united pan-London voice to support projects in accessing funding.London Councils' Executive Member for London's Future: Business, Economy and Culture, Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, said: "By setting out boroughs' agreed priorities and the exciting range of development opportunities across the capital, the London infrastructure framework will drive investment towards where it will make the most difference."But alongside this new framework, we are also calling for a new devolution deal for the capital to support boroughs' ambitions around growth and infrastructure. Letting boroughs keep more proceeds from locally driven growth would help us secure investment for these strategic projects and bring benefits not only to Londoners but the UK economy as a whole.    "Boroughs are more determined than ever to work with each other and with our partners in City Hall and central government, as well as with private investors. Together we can secure the infrastructure London needs to thrive in the coming years and maximise its contribution to the UK's economic well-being."

Rosco White ● 354d12 Comments

Alison has a very rose tinted view which is absolutely how it should be, and exactly how we all should expect it to be.If only it were really like that.But alas, one just has to look at almost everything with local council involvement over the last 50 years and certainly the last 25 years and see it is a trail of half baked and costly disasters, sterile compromises ,ego and idealistic led solutions to suit votes or trends.And yet they cannot even oversee getting a patch of grass cut properly or deal with Tick infestation in Parks.It is totally over politicised and polarised and the latest trend of ' Community Involvement' is largely a PR smoke and Mirrors exercise. A form of divide and rule and appeasement.The lack of communication unless on Facebook, Twitter or permanently online has pushed out a huge amount of local people. ostracising and minimising proper debate.'Consultants' Edit input and views and prepare material to fit the desired view of  Councils and their true partners - which are not local residents and small businesses.The cabinet system has been abused from day one in most West London Boroughs and in effect silenced elected representatives outside the cabinet including the ruling party- whichever one it may be.We all know the system from Government and it's Civil Service is falling short and needs a big overhaul, but local authorities ape the government too much.It takes me back to a consistent point in that proper independent local newspapers were a major foundation of true democracy being a watchdog which alerted goings on far earlier than the controlled system we have now.

Raymond Havelock ● 351d

Absolutely spot ON."Cabinet" indeed, talk about pompous inflated ideas of grandeur above your station!  😂

Rosco White ● 353d

“ the terminus of HS2” @17 May. I see. Finishing at Old Oak Common with no date for competition. No, it’s nothing to be proud of.As for local government, the rot started when they began referring to themselves as Cabinet & paying stratospheric salaries. I’m an old ‘un and well remember when it was just the Town Clerk + mainly amateurs ( in the best sense of the word) , the latter on expenses that were no big deal. Surprise, surprise, things worked far better then when council concentrated on what they were supposed to do rather than get involved in pseudo airy fairy.

Bettina Margaret Thwaite ● 353d

I think there's a fairly broad consensus, amongst the informed residents anyway, that in Ealing, our Council is over politicised and incompetent.

Rosco White ● 353d

And having secured a whipping two extra stops at Hanwell and West Ealing ( the others were on the original plan for Crossrail) Ealing succeeded in buggering up totally the provision for disabled passengers and a proper transport interchange at Ealing Broadway. That is why they should be let nowhere near future projects of this nature

N V Brooks ● 354d

Ealing Council did play a part in securing local stops on Crossrail which the Department of Transport did not want. This is a good illustration of why local input is key in large infrastructure projects even if they aren't managed at a local level.

Mark Evans ● 354d

Ealing has a truly awful track record of delivering or even influencing transport deliverables. Evidenced by the appalling lack of disabled traveller provision at Ealing Broadway, the kowtowing to TfL over bus stop relocation, the woeful implementation of LTNs which could have worked if planned and the dreadful over implementation of cycle lane many of which are now so rubbish strewn and filthy that no cyclist would choose them. Do you really think that these are the right people to manage major projects?

N V Brooks ● 354d

You seriously think that I think councils are not a form of government?  🤣

Rosco White ● 354d

You seriously think councils are not a form of government? If you get past the corporate flannel, this seems like a very good initiative. There are some genuinely exciting things happening in this part of London including the already implemented Crossrail, the terminus of HS2 and the possibility of the West London Orbital route. That the opportunities these present should not be subject to a strategic approach from local government and further promotion seems a strange idea. The suggestion that these strategies should be determined at a local level and any benefits from success should be retained at a local level also seems an excellent notion and internationally one that has a proven track record of success. Central government has a terrible record in local economic development and that's generally not just the incredibly inept one we have in this country at the moment. 

Alison Howard ● 354d

Councils of all hue now grandly see themselves as "Government" and have been for quite some time getting very involved in areas that have FA to do with them.Megalomaniacs the lot of them, with political agendas they want to ram down our throats. Why don't they go back to basics, stick to the knitting, and just concentrate on, and provide, efficient Services?!No, that's not good enough for the Jumped Up Little Hitlers in City/County Halls up and down the country.

Rosco White ● 354d

How easily politicians and their huge salaried advisors and consultants use the word 'exciting'.How common it is that most think everything is done with an app and cannot see beyond their laptop and shut out any pragmatic obstacles to their ideals.

Raymond Havelock ● 354d

The Ealing councillors will be gutted its not in some sunny foreign clime I'm sure. I dread the outcome of the session with the little mayoral twerp involved, watch out for more big ugly soaring builds coming to your area

Peter King ● 354d