The Health Committee of the Greater London Authority Council met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to discuss healthy high streets. The committee heard from various experts and stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities in creating healthier urban environments. Key discussions focused on the multifaceted nature of a healthy high street, the role of local authorities and businesses in promoting health, and the importance of community engagement in shaping these spaces.

Healthy High Streets: A Multifaceted Approach

The committee engaged in a detailed discussion about the defining characteristics of a healthy high street. William Roberts, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Public Health, outlined four key features: community involvement in planning, accessibility (including transport, inclusive design, and safety), a diverse offering of retail, social spaces, and services, and finally, elements that encourage people to stay, such as food options and green spaces. Rob Anderson, Research Director at the Centre for London, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that health outcomes are strongly determined by place-based factors and that Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have a significant role to play in improving physical, mental, and social determinants of health.

Councillor Rags Sandhu, representing the London Borough of Bexley, highlighted the challenges faced by outer London boroughs in balancing parking needs with public health goals, particularly when competing with large retail centres offering free parking. He stressed the importance of diversifying high street offerings beyond retail, citing Bexley Heath's success with night markets and themed events to drive footfall. Councillor Sandhu also pointed out the significant cost incurred by BIDs in providing security due to the loss of town centre police officers, diverting funds that could be used for community events.

The Role of Local Authorities and BIDs

The discussion underscored the significant powers local authorities possess in shaping healthier high streets. William Roberts noted that councils can influence the mix of businesses through licensing and by considering the broader impact of decisions on community wellbeing. He also highlighted the visual metaphor of high streets as indicators of decline or success, suggesting a civic pride opportunity for councils.

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), as exemplified by the work of Team London Bridge discussed by Rob Anderson, are already contributing to healthier high streets through public realm management, greening initiatives, and promoting active travel. Anderson suggested that BIDs could further enhance their impact by promoting healthy food choices, fostering community engagement, and working on environmental factors like air quality.

Food Options and Neighbourhood Health

The availability and promotion of healthy food options on high streets were a significant focus. William Roberts argued that restricting the proliferation of unhealthy food outlets, particularly takeaways near schools, is possible through planning powers, though not always consistently applied. He advocated for encouraging local businesses to offer healthier options and for councils to reimagine high streets as places for local shopping and community activities.

Dr Agatha Nortley-Meshe, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England for London Region, spoke passionately about the concept of neighbourhood health, emphasizing that health centres should be integrated into high streets. She stressed that new buildings are not always necessary, and creative use of existing community assets like leisure centres and libraries could provide health and social care services. Dr Nortley-Meshe highlighted the importance of co-design with communities and the need for infrastructure that connects health, social care, and voluntary sector initiatives.

Policy and Funding Considerations

Assembly Member Andrew Boff raised concerns about the potential for a one-size-fits-all approach to parking restrictions in the London Plan, particularly for outer London boroughs where car use may be more prevalent. Louise Duggan and Tim Rettler from the GLA presented examples of mayoral-funded programmes like the Good Growth Fund and the Civic Partnership Programme, which have invested in local high streets with particular needs, focusing on public realm improvements, community infrastructure, and business support. They acknowledged the challenges in project delivery, citing the Queen's Crescent Market as an example where community engagement had been a point of contention.

Harry Burchill, Planning Policy Team Leader at the London Borough of Brent, outlined Brent's approach, which includes investing in public realm, supporting business associations, and running community festivals to reduce social isolation. However, he also highlighted the significant challenge posed by the high concentration of gambling and adult gaming centres in Brent, and the work being done through licensing to address alcohol-related harms.

The discussion also touched upon the role of the London Plan in promoting healthier high streets, with Gerard Burgess from the GLA noting that the 2021 plan has supported diversification towards leisure and convenience retail, and an increase in health-related uses. However, he also pointed out limitations, such as planning permissions only affecting new developments and the difficulty in regulating existing uses. The potential for the new London Plan to further influence the composition of high streets was also discussed, with a call for greater collaboration between planning and public health teams.

Call for Action

The meeting concluded with a call for greater support and clearer policies to foster healthier high streets. Councillor Sandhu emphasized the need for fairer funding and a focus on safety and security, which has led to significant expenditure on private security in Bexley. Dr Nortley-Meshe advocated for the Mayor's endorsement of the London neighbourhood programme and for more collaborative work across health and local authority boundaries to address health determinants. Rob Anderson stressed the importance of the GLA championing the work of Business Improvement Districts, given their deep integration into local areas. William Roberts urged the GLA to focus on enhancing small towns within London to become economic and health powerhouses, and to skill up the wider workforce to promote health.

The committee agreed to note the report and discussions, delegating authority to the Chair to agree any output arising from the meeting. The next meeting was scheduled for 3 September 2026.