Overview

1. Economic Downturn Action Plan Kevin Byrne London Councils Policy Officer’s Network 25th September 2009kbyrne2@hillingdon.gov.uk

2. Overview • Hillingdon – Key Issues • Monitoring effects of the downturn • Strategic approach and actions • Next Steps

3. Hillingdon • 42 sq miles • 2nd Largest LB • M4 & M40 corridors into Thames Valley • North “Metroland” and semi-rural • South Industrial /urban

4. Indices of multiple deprivation All Children Older people

5. Hillingdon: Economic Profile • A strong economy • Corporate HQs • SME bed-rock - 9,045 individual businesses • Large business sectors: • Transport, storage & communication • Hotels & restaurants • Knowledge Economy • Retail • Construction

6. Unemployment • Redundancies EDS, Entertainment UK, BAA, Alitalia, Woolworths • Rising unemployment Job Seekers Allowance - 5,973 Aug 09 +105% since August 08 3.7% working age population 28.5% of unemployed are 16-24 yr old

7. Assessing impact • Monitoring key economic and social indicators • Reported to Corporate Management Team and Cabinet and to Hillingdon Partners (LSP) • Providing focus and direction • Uses partner information (CAB, JC+)

8. Strategic approach to the downturn • LSP lead to bring in business and community • Strong buy in from Cabinet and Council • Internal ‘credit crunch’ group set up, partners included • Council commitment to support residents & businesses • Council and LSP building a coordinated response under four key themes: • Supporting residents; • Protecting the vulnerable; • Supporting businesses; • Preparing for the up-turn

9. Reducing impacts on residents • 2 year council tax freeze • Additional £2.6 million for services • 0% increase in fees and charges for key services also frozen • Support for resident having difficulty in paying council tax • Council rent increases halved to £2 per week • Contact centre - minimising avoidable contacts, spotting recession impacts, linking to services and policy • A residents’ card – discounted parking, shopping, leisure

10. Reducing impacts on vulnerable people • Fast Track mortgage rescue scheme (1of 7 in London) • West London Housing partnership “Warm Zones” scheme • Strengthened advice and support with partners • Direct lines for CAB into council tax section • Recognise need to support broad range of community support, not just debt/employment advice • Initiatives to maximise benefit entitlement

11. Reducing impacts on business • Invoices paid within 10 days • Promoting take up of business rate relief • Business rate relief – hardest hit • ERDF project to open up supply chains “Gateway Heathrow 2012” • JC+ & Business Link Rapid Response service

12. Preparing for the upturn • Worklessness & unemployment • Local Employment Partnership • Skills and training • Employability programmes • Encouraging Entrepreneurship • Apprenticeships • Volunteering • Supply chains

13. Key Issues Moving Forward • New ideas: • Google – “speed up during the slowdown” • Hillingdon Interfaith Network • Town Centres and vacant properties • Skills agenda especially 16-24 • Housing • Health • Outer London Commission • Regeneration opportunities