Ealing Council has announced nine missions for the upcoming term to improve the borough, focusing on the climate crisis, housing, and community safety. The plan, guided by three principles—'communities for everyone', 'growth across all 7 towns', and 'power in your hands'—aims to deliver 20-minute neighbourhoods, secure affordable housing, and crack down on antisocial behaviour.
Lifelong Opportunities for All Residents
Mission 1 aims to tackle barriers facing young people and ensure every child has the best start in life. Key deliverables include establishing one fully operational, accessible family hub with integrated services and creating career events for Year 10 pupils. This comes after the council closed 10 children's centres, a decision upheld by the High Court. The council argues the closures allow investment in early years help elsewhere, but critics say it contradicts efforts to improve support.
Mission 2 focuses on enabling every person to live a healthy and happy life, ending unfair inequalities. The council plans to build integrated neighbourhood health teams with NHS partners in every town and open a 15-bed residential reablement facility at Sycamore Lodge.
Mission 3 targets securing a safe and genuinely affordable home for every family and ending homelessness and rough sleeping. Ealing Council has more than 7,500 households on the housing waiting list and 25.29 per 1,000 households in temporary accommodation. The mission involves regenerating neighbourhoods and increasing the supply of affordable homes, though a target of 35% affordable housing in new builds is routinely missed. Over 100 affordable homes partway through construction could be demolished in West Ealing, Greenford, and Southall due to the liquidation of developer Henry Construction.
Places Where People Feel Safe and a Sense of Belonging
Mission 4 aims to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour and tackle its root causes. First-year deliverables include deploying 10 new CCTV cameras and increasing uniformed street enforcement officers.
Mission 5 addresses the climate emergency and keeping roads clear. The council plans a borough-wide rewilding plan and the first bulk solar scheme to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, allowing communities to bulk purchase solar panels via council-run auctions.
Mission 6 seeks to strengthen pride in every neighbourhood. Plans include 10 playground improvement projects and rolling out the West London Regional Park walking and cycling trail.
An Economy That Enables Towns and Communities to Thrive
Mission 7 focuses on an inclusive economy, reducing the cost of living, and getting best value for taxpayer money. Actions include opening a community hub in Greenford Library with face-to-face advice and an AI-assisted webchat in high-volume services.
Mission 8 aims to bring good well-paid jobs back to the borough and revitalise high streets. This includes opening the West Tech Skills Hub in North Acton within a new living wage zone.
Mission 9 seeks sustainable growth for every town with investment in communities left behind. Key first steps include adopting a new local plan and ensuring planning decisions align with 20-minute neighbourhood guidance across all seven towns, meaning all key services accessible within 20 minutes by walking or cycling.
Opposition leader Cllr Gary Malcolm expressed disappointment, stating: "I would say that I am very disappointed by this annual plan. It could have been so much better." The council will meet on Tuesday, June 30, to discuss the plan.
