We’ve achieved a lot in one year, but we know there’s still a lot to do. We remain committed to:
- building more council homes and other truly affordable housing
- improving our housing services
- tackling homelessness
- addressing the climate emergency with urgency
- creating a city where it is easy to walk, cycle or take public transport
Read Leader of Council Cllr Adam Hug's reflections on a year of delivery.
Below you'll find all the ways we have been delivering a Fairer Westminster and the ways you can get involved in helping us. You can also read a full summary of everything that has been delivered in the download below:
Document
A year of delivery
PDF, 8.45 MB, 24 pages
Image
- Launched the Fairer Westminster Strategy and accompanying delivery plan, outlining our priorities for the financial year 2023/24 -regular updates against a suite of key success measures are being published on our website, which is a first for the council.
- We have frozen the Westminster City Council part of council tax, which means Westminster has the cheapest Band D rate in the country.
- The first local authority in the UK to launch a “dirty money” campaign in a bid to combat the capital’s reputation as the European centre for money laundering - this includes a new charter that is supported by business groups representing London’s biggest retailers, hospitality venues and property owners.
- We have signed the Fair Tax Pledge - aligning itself with major companies and public sector organisations in the UK committed to ensuring transparency in tax.
- Led on the candy store crackdown that is blighting Oxford Street and other major centres, working constructively with landowners, law enforcement and the government to tackle this scourge in the West End.
Image
- We’ve invested £35m in active travel and sustainable transport by improving infrastructure and safety for journeys by public transport, foot and cycle. This will help to improve air quality and bring us closer to a carbon neutral city, contributing to our Fairer Environment target of becoming a net zero council by 2030 and a net zero city by 2040.
- We have over 1,800 electric vehicle charge points installed, exceeding our target of 1,500 charge points for use by the public.
- We’ve banned the use of the weed killer, glyphosate, in Westminster parks and housing estates. This is one of several methods to improve green spaces and encourage native wildlife to flourish in Westminster.
- We have installed energy conservation measures in 61 council buildings, cutting our corporate property emissions by around 1,700 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
- We invested £58m from the council pension fund into renewable energy infrastructure and launched our Responsible Procurement Strategy to emphasise on sustainability within supplier contracts.
Image
- All jobs brokered by the Westminster Employment Service are now at the London Living Wage.
- The Oxford Street District Programme has been revised to focus on Oxford Street itself - we have rejected the previous administration's plans for pedestrianisation Instead, we will be widening pavements, upgrading lighting, installing seating and trees, and putting in place improved pedestrian crossing.
- A new approach is being developed to revive much-loved high streets and neighbourhoods which will be piloted in the Paddington, Edgware Road, and Queensway area.
- A new “North Paddington” programme has been set up, bringing together local residents, voluntary sector organisations and businesses to work with the council on a series of projects aimed at improving the well-being of residents in three of our most deprived wards.
- We are launching a Design Review Panel to provide expert, independent, advice on major developments - it is the first time this local authority, one of the busiest planning authorities in the country, has set up such a group.
Image
- We announced that the building of low-cost social rent homes across Westminster is our priority. Since then, more than 300 social rent homes have been added to Westminster’s house-building programme.
- We worked closely with the local community at Ebury Bridge where the development scheme received a successful resident ballot outcome with 91% of residents voting in favour, across a turnout of 67%. This unlocks GLA funding of £41m.
- We set aside £1m to support council tenants not entitled to Universal Credit or Housing Benefit who may need support with paying their rent.
- We’re acquiring hundreds of temporary accommodation properties with an additional investment of £85m.
- We have invested in specialist ventilation systems and air quality sensor installations to tackle mould and condensation in social homes. As part of this, we’re investing in additional Stock Condition Surveys.
Image
- We launched a £14m cost of living strategy – including £4m of council investment to support those most at risk. This included a cost of living information support hub, debt and energy advice services, employment advice, and various grants and funds to support those on low incomes.
- We are delivering the most ambitious expansion of the free school meals programme in the capital, with children aged three to 14 able to receive a free school lunch. Our additional investment of £2m will complement the existing government free school meals offer and recent additional Greater London Authority funding to make 14,000 children eligible for free school meals.
- We’ve reopened the Bayswater Children’s Centre site with a new Stay and Play service. Our city-wide Family Hubs Network provides support for up to 4,800 families each year with locations in Pimlico, Church Street and Queen's Park.
- A new £1.8 million budget has been launched to fund cultural projects in the city, to help a range of projects that will make culture more accessible to residents and visitors.
- We are tackling anti-social behaviour issues in Westminster with our new ASB strategy. The strategy, which is the first of its kind, sets out a community-led approach, known as a Coordinated Community Response (CCR), which asks everyone to play their part and requires the council to work together with other organisations.
By working together we can build a more inclusive city that celebrates our diverse communities, and where residents, workers and visitors from all backgrounds will feel welcome and safe. However you want to get involved, there are many ways you can have your voice heard.