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Ealing Council ‘well-led’ according to expert review  😁

Ealing Council ‘well-led’ according to expert reviewNews - 28 August 2025A new report from a team of independent senior local government figures has concluded that Ealing Council is ‘well-led’ and ‘moving in the right direction’. The Local Government Association (LGA) recently sent a delegation of experienced council leaders  and senior council officers to conduct a comprehensive review of Ealing Council’s finance, performance and governance. The team spent 4 days at the council providing ‘robust, strategic and credible’ challenge to the council’s senior management as part of a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC), providing a ‘critical friend’ assessment.   In their final report, the team notes that: Ealing Council is well-led and demonstrates ‘effective and collaborative political and managerial leadership,’ noting that both council leader Peter Mason and the council’s chief executive, Tony Clements, are ‘widely respected’ the council has ‘achieved much under the current political and managerial leadership’ and is moving forward in the right direction with a ‘strong and purposeful vision for change’ the council is focused on improving outcomes for its residents across the 7 towns, and the peer review team observed clear evidence of a ‘transformative drive within the council’ to establish the foundations to achieve this vision  in particular, it’s been a ‘significant achievement’ to move children’s services in the borough from ‘Requires Improvement’ before May 2024, to ‘Good’ today. The report also highlighted the borough’s success as:one of the top 3 performing councils for recycling in Londonbeing rated among best performing councils in London for dealing with planning applicationsPrioritiesThe council has 9 ‘resident-focussed priorities’ and 3 cross-cutting objectives around climate, equalities, and jobs. The peer team noted there is a ‘robust’ performance management framework in place to help deliver the plan. In addition, the council’s new Connected Communities vision – putting residents lived experiences at the heart of decision-making – has the potential to ‘radically transform outcomes’ for the residents of Ealing and the way the council operates.Council leader Peter Mason said: “When I became leader, we set out to become the kind of open, transparent and inclusive council I knew the residents of Ealing wanted us to be. I’m incredibly proud that the improvements we have secured have been recognised by the LGA in their thorough and independent review. “We continue to be relentlessly focused on getting the basics right, holding ourselves to the standards that our residents expect from us, and being ruthlessly efficient in getting the best value for taxpayers’ money. We know we still have more to do, as we always will.”He added: “This is the heart of our new approach to building stronger communities, full of pride, identity and purpose. Ensuring everyone gets to benefit from the growing prosperity in our seven towns. Delivering on our promise to give people power and control over the future of their neighbourhoods.”Read the full report on the council’s website.https://www.aroundealing.com/news/ealing-council-well-led-according-to-expert-review/Forum Home

Rosco White ● 95d4 Comments ● 87d

Acton Real Ale Festival (29th-31st Aug)

Welcome to the second Acton Real Ale festival.In cooperation with our friends at Portobello Brewery, we have curated a selection of more than 20 cask ales from a wide range of independent, provincial and micro breweries, with styles including mild, best bitter, porter, IPA, stout, real cider and much much more! Our friends at the Pint of Hops beer shop will be complementing these with a choice of international bottled beers.You will be able to vote for your favourite beer and the winner will be announced on Sunday evening. Last year's winner was Brentwood’s Marvellous Maple Mild. Were that not enough, we have arranged a panoply of entertainment, with comedy acts on Friday, live music on Saturday, and a charity raffle and table quiz on Sunday to raise funds for Stonewall Housing. There will also be a barbecue on all three days with V/VG options available. Children and families more than welcome until 1900h all three days.Our core range of rotating cask ales, keg craft lager and cider, Guinness and a rare cherry sour beer, along with fine wines, soft/hot drinks and bar snacks will of course also be on offer.Please join us at the West London Trades Union Club on Friday 29th August, Saturday 30st Aug/Sunday 31st Aug: 12pm - 11pm. You will find us at 33-35 High Street, Acton, W3 6ND (look for the red door) on the Uxbridge Road. All are welcome, entry is free.PUBLIC TRANSPORT:From the West, buses SL8, 207, E3, 218, 266, 70, 440 stop at Acton Old Town Hall.From the East, buses SL8, 207, 70, 440, 218 stop at Acton Central Station.On the Overground, Acton Central Station is approximately a 6 minute walk away. Turn left out of the station and take the first left down Birkbeck Road. On reaching the main road, we are across and to the right.On the Tube, Acton Town is a 15-minute walk away, or take the E3/70 bus; alternatively, go to Turnham Green and take the E3 bus.For accessibility assistance please see our website: https://wltuc.com/accessWe are looking forward to seeing you! If you have any queries, please email Emily at secretary@wltuc.com.

Patrick Green ● 99d2 Comments ● 95d

NAO says developers can ‘manipulate’ planning system to reduce infrastructure contributions.

Wottasurprise!NOTE: "...a lack of up-to-date government data to assess whether the current system is delivering its intended benefits."AND: "...examining potential conflicts of interest involving consultants representing both developers and councils."   National Audit Office says developers can ‘manipulate’ planning system to reduce infrastructure contributionsA report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has highlighted challenges within England’s planning system that may allow developers to negotiate lower financial contributions toward local infrastructure. The watchdog noted that differences in capacity and expertise between public and private sectors can make it difficult to fully scrutinize viability assessments - important tools used to establish contributions under Section 106 agreements.The report highlights a notable skills shortage in local authority planning departments, with the number of public sector chartered town planners declining by 25% between 2013 and 2020, while the private sector grew by two-thirds during the same period. This imbalance has impacted councils’ ability to effectively challenge viability assessments, especially against developers who have access to specialist consultants and legal expertise.Other findings include unspent developer contributions, a reduction in housing association demand for affordable housing, and a lack of up-to-date government data to assess whether the current system is delivering its intended benefits.To address these issues, the NAO recommends introducing standardised Section 106 templates, reviewing the use and transparency of viability assessments, and examining potential conflicts of interest involving consultants representing both developers and councils. The report also calls on the government to evaluate and strengthen planning capacity.The government is expected to publish updated viability guidance later this year.Our planning news is published in association with ThePlanner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.RTPI logoThe Planner logoPlanning news - 13 June 2025Pennycook to ‘consider’ strengthening nature restoration fundFuture Homes Standard to include rooftop solar as standardNational Audit Office says developers can ‘manipulate’ planning system to reduce infrastructure contributionsSOURCE:   https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/weekly-planning-news/planning-news-13-june-2025?msdynmkt_trackingcontext=aa13ae8a-1d03-40ba-9ced-d225985c0200#national-audit-office-says-developers-can-'manipulate'-planning-system-to-reduce-infrastructure-contributions

Rosco White ● 170d0 Comments ● 170d

Gov't to consult on removing planning committee decisions for developments of less than 10 homes.

The Developer's Free For All continues unabated, and aided & abetted by Liebore:-Government to consult on removing planning committee decisions for developments of fewer than ten homes.The government is set to consult on shifting the jurisdiction of planning committees for smaller housing schemes.This latest move builds on the proposals already laid out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is currently progressing through the House of Commons.While the Bill outlines a ‘national scheme of delegation’, giving planning officers the authority to approve schemes that align with local plans, it does not explicitly call for a wider removal of planning committee involvement in smaller developments.As reported by The Times, the government is expected to announce further elements of its planning reform agenda in the coming weeks. Among the most contentious is a consultation on removing council planning committees’ ability to “interfere in the vast majority of planning applications.”Planning minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed that larger schemes will continue to go before committee. However, stripping planning committees of decision-making powers over swathes of smaller applications, he argues, will help streamline the system.“Some local authorities haven’t made these changes, they haven’t streamlined their process,” Pennycook told The Times. “And I think bringing that clarity and uniformity across the country… will help speed up the process.”https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/councils-to-lose-blocking-powers-in-boost-to-housebuilding-bpqm2l3xn

Rosco White ● 207d3 Comments ● 199d

Easter Church Services

Apologies, a bit late this year...Oaktree Anglican Fellowship216 High St, London W3 9NXEaster Sunday Celebration 4.30pmPlease join us for our all-age Easter service.St Mary’s ChurchThe Mount, High St, London W3 9NWEaster Saturday - 9pm Easter vigilEaster Sunday - 8am Holy Communion               10.30am Parish communionOur Lady of Lourdes141-143 High St, London W3 6LXGood Friday - 7pm Tenebrae Service: come and join for prayer, song and meditation on the Passion of ChristEaster Saturday - 8pmEaster Sunday - 9am, 10:30am and 12:00pmSt Martin’s West ActonHale Gardens, London W3 9SQEaster Sunday  - 5.45am Sunrise service and Easter bonfire followed by breakfast - 10am Holy Communion service followed by Easter egg hunt               - 6.30pm Evening Prayer on zoomSt Dunstan’s East ActonFriars Pl Ln, London W3 7AWEaster Saturday - 10am-12pm Easter crafts for kidsEaster Sunday - 5am Sunrise service + breakfast              - 10am All age communion              Acton Baptist ChurchChurch Rd, London W3 8PPEaster Sunday - 10:30amActon Hill ChurchHigh Street Corner of, Woodlands Ave W3 9BUEaster Sunday - 11:00amBerrymead Evangelical Church16 Avenue Rd, London W3 8NSEaster Sunday - 11:00amChurch of the AscensionBeaufort Road, London W5 3EBEaster Sunday - 10:30amChrist Church Turnham GreenTown Hall Ave, Chiswick, London W4 5DT(St Alban's S Parade, Chiswick, London W4 5LG)Good Friday - St Alban's 7pm - 30 minutes prayer and reflectionEaster Sunday - 9.30am Holy Communion              - 10.30am Contemporary gathering St Alban's       - 6pm Informal gatheringAnyone looking for an online service- Easter Sunday at 11:30am https://www.htb.org/livestream

Prabal Ray ● 227d0 Comments ● 227d