Green light for next phase of North Paddington Programme

The ambitious North Paddington Programme has taken a major step forward after councillors voted to approve £10 million to fund the next set of projects.

The decision -to be taken by Westminster City Council's cabinet - paves the way for the next three years, with a programme of work which supports employment opportunities; creates new green areas, improves the look of high streets, provides new community centres and funds a range of local community organisations across Westbourne, Harrow Road and Queen's Park.

The programme has an overall budget of £20m, which in the first year saw investments in a range of local projects, including youth centres and grants for tackling youth crime. The introduction of local community officers, a new local newsletter and a new Council office in Harrow Road mean residents have plenty of opportunities to stay in touch.

In a significant shift away from traditional programmes, the Council has worked collaboratively with local North Paddington residents, businesses, charities, the police and other partners, to determine which projects are prioritised. This has been achieved through the Council organising a range of community delivery groups, covering numerous themes such as employment, housing, health and crime.

The next phase of the programme will include:

• A £4.5m grants pot for local organisations to apply for capital funding
• £1.5m for two community hubs - Bayswater Children's Centre and Ernest Harris House on Elgin Avenue.
• £100,00 to create a programme of events for the open space at Maida Hill and £320,000 to support a revitalised Maida Hill market.
• £300,000 to deliver extra community gardens
• More than £200,000 on a package of schemes to provide jobs and training for young people.

Cllr Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said:

"The investment in North Paddington represents a major change in the way this council works to improve our communities - not making decisions behind closed doors, but sitting down with people to discuss problems, and more importantly come up with solutions. It's a place-based approach, focused on improving the lives of North Paddington's residents."

"Since taking office we made it clear that all parts of the City of Westminster deserve the full support of their Council to flourish. North Paddington has historically suffered from higher levels of worklessness, poverty and poor health than other parts of the City. This programme is the first step towards addressing this gap.

"The North Paddington Programme is also important because this is the model we will use to for all our regeneration schemes going forward whichever part of the City we are in - making sure the voice of local people is heard loudest."

Launched last year, the North Paddington scheme has already delivered major local improvements, including the £300,000 overhaul of a basketball court at the Avenues Youth Club.

Other achievements of the North Paddington scheme in the past year include:

• 300 social housing properties retrofitted for energy efficiency
• A new solar energy installation on Warwick estate
• *The Digital Dash programme which mentored 20 young people in technology with representatives from companies including Visa, Microsoft, Bloomberg and Goldman Sachs
• Shop fronts improvement scheme launched on Harrow Road
• Free basketball lessons over a 30-week period for local 18 to 24-year-olds at Jubilee Community Leisure centre
• £200,000 distributed already to local organisations to support causes including Harrow Road Soup Kitchen; free basketball lessons for 18 to 24 year olds at Jubilee Community leisure centre; healthy breakfast club sessions and funding for a "stitch and knit" group to help tackle loneliness

Published: 16 July 2024