Political conflict
The political upheaval in the City of Westminster following the 1980s ‘homes for votes’ corruption scandal meant that the area was effectively isolated from mainstream political, economic and social development for the following 10 years. Relationships between the community and Westminster Council were characterised by conflict and there had been a steady withdrawal of commercial investment from the area.
Paddington has a long history as an area with high levels of deprivation. By the late 1990s, it had a population of 60,000 people, with 60 per cent in social housing and a high proportion of residents from black and ethnic minorities, many of whom were recent immigrants.
A partnership approach
Paddington Development Trust was set up in 1997 by a group of local people with the aim of rebuilding partnerships between public and community organisations to deliver social and economic improvement. Its objectives included regenerating Paddington’s physical environment, addressing the issue of the area’s failing schools and youth service, and creating new economic and business opportunities for people living in the area.
The Paddington
Development Trust
team
Since 1997, Paddington Development Trust has grown from one person to more than 40 employees. Of the organisation’s 16 trustees, 90 per cent live and work in the local community and half come from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Topics associated with this project
Employment, Governance, Housing, Neighbourhood, Partnership working, Planning, Stakeholder management, Training