The Growth Scrutiny Committee of Waltham Forest Council met on Wednesday, 27 March 2024, to discuss a range of topics related to the borough's economic development and planning. Key areas of focus included the Inclusive Growth and Economy Framework, updates on the University of Portsmouth's London Campus, and progress on the Local Plan Part 2.

Themed Review: Inclusive Growth and Economy Framework – Low Income Families

The committee was scheduled to review the final report on the Inclusive Growth and Economy Framework, focusing on support for families on low incomes. The report highlighted the significant impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis on affordability and quality of life for these families, with childcare costs identified as a major barrier to economic participation. The emerging framework aims to address these inequalities through early intervention and prevention, with a focus on proactive support and data-driven approaches. Expert witnesses from the Lloyd Park Children's Charity and the Living Wage Foundation were expected to provide insights into the lived experiences of local families and the prevalence of low pay in the borough.

University of Portsmouth London Campus Update

An update was provided on the progress of the University of Portsmouth (UoP) London Campus project. The report detailed the university's vision for 2030, which includes expanding its physical and digital presence and becoming a leading civic university. The London Campus, the first Higher Education offer physically based in the borough, is set to increase its student numbers significantly over the coming years. The report outlined progress on property development, including the fit-out of Juniper House and pre-planning for Central House, which will serve as the campus headquarters. Plans for a 'hub and spoke' approach to accommodation and a local recruitment and engagement strategy were also discussed, aiming to benefit residents, businesses, and educational providers. The university is also developing apprenticeship offers and aims to enhance business and entrepreneurship support through the Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC).

Local Plan Part 2

The committee was to receive an update on the production of the Local Plan Part 2, which identifies key and strategic sites for inclusive and accessible growth across the borough. Following the adoption of Local Plan Part 1, the focus is now on engagement and collaboration for Part 2. The report detailed previous consultation rounds and outlined the next steps, including a statutory consultation in summer 2024. The consultation process will be informed by a Community Engagement Toolkit, which has been updated to ensure hybrid engagement models and tailored strategies for engaging less heard groups. The soundness of the plan will be assessed against criteria such as being positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy.

Planning Enforcement Update

An update on the Planning Enforcement function was scheduled, including proposals for transitioning the service across to the Place directorate to create an 'end-to-end' Planning Service. The report highlighted historic challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified officers, particularly in Planning Enforcement, where agency staff are currently being utilised. A prioritisation system for investigating alleged breaches of planning control, categorised as Level A, B, and C, was outlined. Next steps include developing a recovery plan to address the backlog of cases, a service level agreement between directorates, and an increase in proactive monitoring and enforcement of planning conditions. A follow-up report is planned for the 2024/25 municipal year to discuss a new Planning Enforcement Policy.

Forward Plan and Action Tracker

The committee was invited to review the action tracker and forward plan, noting responses received for previous requests for further information. This included updates on the Town Centre Framework, safety in the night-time economy, figures on young people attending Russell Group universities, and data on self-employment. Responses were also provided regarding outcome data for BIPC Local and the allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grants. The committee was also to consider recommendations for the future direction of the themed review on the Inclusive Growth and Economy Framework.

Design Review Panel

The committee was to consider the establishment of a new independent Waltham Forest design review panel, replacing the current panel operated by the Design Council. The new panel aims to have a strong local identity, diverse backgrounds, and strong links with the borough. Recruitment of panel members and chairs was underway, with the launch planned for the Summer of Design. The panel will review strategic development proposals, policy documents, and potentially deliver design training. Recommendations included considering the possibility of a community panel in the long term and liaising with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) about their panels.

Planning Performance

An update on planning performance was to be presented, covering government monitoring of speed and quality of planning decisions, proposed changes to planning fees, and the planning guarantee. The report noted recruitment and retention efforts to address staffing pressures and a reduction in reliance on agency staff. The committee was expected to discuss the percentage of rejected applications that are appealed and the success rate of these appeals, as well as the number of decisions made under delegated powers versus those that go to committee.

Support for Small Businesses and Enterprise

Consideration was given to a report on supporting small businesses and enterprises, highlighting that over 90% of the borough's nearly 13,000 businesses are micro businesses. The report detailed cross-borough activities, including the Business Advisory Group and the British Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC), which supports startups. Waltham Forest Connected, an online business directory, was also mentioned. Sector support is provided in creative enterprise, fashion, construction, and green retrofit sectors. Naila Ahmad, owner of Naila Ahmad London and BIPC Local Brand Ambassador, was scheduled to share her experiences as a small business owner. Recommendations included improving communication about BIPC events and services to councillors.