The West London Economic Prosperity Board was scheduled to discuss the region's economic vision and priorities, as well as progress on the West London Orbital rail scheme. The meeting also included an update on employment support services.

West London Vision, Economic Priorities and WLEPB Forward Plan

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the vision for West London, developed by its leaders, and to agree a renewed forward plan for the West London Economic Prosperity Board (WLEPB). This vision, approved on 21 December 2023, is centred around the aim of creating Connected communities in the world's most connected place, today and tomorrow. It is structured around four key objectives: making West London more inclusive, more productive, more resilient, and more influential. Alongside this, leaders agreed to develop a joint strategy for influencing other decision-makers on shared West London interests, including skills, infrastructure, energy, and public service funding. The proposed forward plan for the WLEPB aims to ensure that the Board effectively drives progress on these shared priorities, particularly those requiring collaboration with external partners. The plan outlines substantive discussions on key issues in advance, with the intention of clarifying objectives, inviting relevant senior stakeholders, and facilitating informed discussions.

West London Orbital: Progress and Context, Anticipated Decisions and Next Steps

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the West London Orbital (WLO) scheme, a proposed new rail line intended to run from Hendon/Brent Cross or Cricklewood/West Hampstead to Hounslow, utilising existing track and a combination of existing and new stations. The WLO is designed to support various benefits across West London, including improving orbital travel for residents, workers, learners, and visitors; supporting and accelerating economic and housing growth; better connecting underserved communities to economic opportunities; and enhancing the resilience of the transport network. The scheme has received widespread support, including from the Mayor of London, and is referenced in key policy documents such as the London Plan and borough Local Plans.

The report indicated that the WLO is nearing the completion of Stage 2 of the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) process, which aims to ensure the scheme is technically feasible, affordable to construct, and that rail services are viable and deliverable. Recent developments reinforcing the case for the WLO include the recovery of passenger demand post-Covid, the impact of the Elizabeth Line, the opening of Brent Cross West Station (which includes passive provision for the WLO), and lessons learned from other transport projects like the Northern Line extension to Battersea and the London Overground extension to Barking Riverside. The report also noted the implications of HS2's terminus at Old Oak Common, highlighting the need for increased network resilience and onward travel options, and the potential for the WLO to add value to areas like Old Oak Common and neighbouring communities. The introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has also increased focus on public transport connectivity in outer London.

The report outlined that a number of workstreams are due to conclude in Spring 2024, including final outputs from the GRIP Stage 2 work, an independent assessment of the WLO's benefits, and refreshed work on potential funding options. Following the London Mayoral elections in May 2024, partners would need to make a decision on whether to progress the WLO to the next stages of the GRIP process, which would involve more detailed work towards a single design option, public consultation, and formal application to the Government. Detailed proposals to finance the construction of the WLO would also need to be agreed, recognising that a hybrid funding and financing model is likely to be required. Ahead of the elections, partners were encouraged to continue articulating the WLO's benefits and strategic value.

West London Alliance Employment Support Services

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on employment support services in West London. The report highlighted that the work is focused on individuals facing significant barriers to employment. A new program, Individual Placement Support in Primary Care (IPS PC), was scheduled to launch immediately after the meeting. Since 2018, 24,000 residents had been supported through programmes such as the Work and Health Programme (WHP) and Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS), with 11,000 participants finding sustained employment. The Shaw Trust was identified as the primary provider across the West London Alliance (WLA) boroughs, and the WLA was one of five areas nationally allocated pilot funding of £5.2 million over two years for the IPS PC programme, aiming to support approximately 2,000 people into work. The Board was asked to note progress in the delivery of employment support, the new IPS PC programme, and the need for boroughs to continue supporting the integration and referral of service users to demonstrate the effectiveness of devolution.