Two new plans that aim to give a major boost to the borough’s economy were approved by Ealing Council’s cabinet on Wednesday 18 September.
The council’s jobs and skills strategy, and the strategy to boost the borough’s economy after 6pm will form the basis of the council’s industrial approach over the coming years. Both have been subject to substantial consultation with residents and businesses this year.
The strategies set out how the council works with partners and local organisations to grow the local economy, create good new jobs, and help residents upskill to access these opportunities.
Boosting the borough’s economy after 6pm
The approved plan for the borough’s economy after 6pm aims to make the borough a more prosperous and inclusive place to live, work, visit, and run a business after 6pm. It seeks to ensure each of the borough’s 7 towns has a unique and diverse offer, by:
- diversifying and protecting the existing offer in Ealing
- curating and steering future investment in Southall and Acton
- nurturing an improved local offer, including new services and amenities, in Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale, and Greenford
The plan will enable all residents to access to new and existing jobs, services, and amenities in the evening and night-time within a 20-minute round trip from their homes by walking or cycling.
A great place to do business
Alongside that, the jobs and skills strategy aims to cement the borough’s status as the £11billion commercial engine of west London. Although the plan sets out support for the sectors that already provide the largest number of jobs, like high street retail, health and social care, and construction, it also introduces a new focus on 3 priority sectors which, if the right conditions are created, are likely to see the highest growth in the near future:
- creative and digital
- green and circular economy
- life sciences
Making residents’ views a reality
The final versions of both strategies have been put together after extensive consultations on draft versions with residents and local employers.
More than 6,000 people responded to the council’s consultation about the draft strategy for the borough’s economy after 6pm, while the jobs and skills strategy was co-developed with the council’s new jobs and skills forum, which includes more than 25 representatives from educational institutions, skills and training providers, businesses, and public sector partners.
‘Prosperity for our 7 towns’
Councillor Peter Mason, leader of the council, said:
“Our new plans will be key as we look to invigorate the local economy in our borough, and deliver on our commitment to creating 10,000 new good, and well-paid jobs by 2026.
“We want to leverage the cultural and industrial history that we are so proud of in Ealing, create communities filled with pride and identity, making it so that our residents have the opportunity to work locally, and earn a decent living income for their families.
“With these new plans for jobs and work in our borough, we are ensuring that regardless of where and when you work in the borough, everyone can experience the economic prosperity that we are creating for each of our 7 towns.”
‘Building a stronger economy’
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said:
“These new strategies are a key milestone in our journey towards building a stronger economy for the borough which provides opportunities for all.
“In addition to supporting sectors that already provide a vast number of jobs, we will now focus the borough’s efforts on supporting businesses and workers in 3 new priority sectors.
“Working with residents and employers, we will create thriving evening and night-time economies in each of our 7 towns, where people, businesses, and communities can succeed together.”
You can view the full report on the council website.
All cabinet decisions are subject to a call-in period.
