Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Members were informed that on the 30th July 2014 the Mayor of London published for public consultation his draft London Infrastructure Plan 2050. The document summarized the significant growth expectations for London during this period and then suggests what infrastructure London will need, how much it will cost, and how we can fund and deliver it. Members noted that London’s resident population was projected to grow from 8.5 million now to over 11 million by 2050, its working population from 4.9 million in 2011 to 6.3 million in 2050, and its annual visitor numbers to grow from 15 million to 21 million during 2012-22.

The actual infrastructure projects delivered over this long timeframe may not be those identified by Officers at this stage but they identified six priority infrastructure types considered essential for London’s continuing success:-

1. Transport – a better connected city

2. Green infrastructure – forming a strategic network

3. Digital connectivity – fast and ubiquitous access to the internet

4. Energy supplies – secure, affordable and sustainable

5. Water supplies – secure and resilient

6. Waste management – moving from waste to reuse.

Members welcomed this pioneering and ambitious attempt to set out

the infrastructure implications of the significant future growth projected for

London and agreed that such long term planning is essential to the long term

success of London as a world city. Members agreed that the language in the report could be strengthened to highlight the City’s commitment to this plan. Officers informed Members that the content of the submission would come back to the Committee for sign off in due course.

Members agreed that the current document lacked reference to the beneficial effects open spaces have on health and wellbeing. Officers informed Members that this report had been well received by the Health and Wellbeing Board. Officers also agreed to make reference to air quality in the City and the impact it has on health and wellbeing.

Resolved: That Members agreed the basis of the City Corporation’s submission to the Mayor in response to his consultation paper.