This morning, the OSDC Board met for the third time since its establishment at the turn of the year, with several key updates as it continues to move towards operational delivery.
Chief Executive Officer Nabeel Khan, shared three updates:
Primarily, he outlined the 100 Day Plan which has been shared with the board, with seven proposed themes:
- Capital programme health check – ensuring a robust and deliverable pipeline from day one.
- Financial strategy – progressing statutory accounts by May while setting out a credible long-term funding and commercial roadmap.
- Strategic narrative – defining the overarching vision for Oxford Street, alongside a three-year corporate plan.
- Planning Authority – a critical workstream as the OSDC moves toward Local Planning Authority status, with recruitment of independent committee members and team build-up underway, and clear protocols being established with Westminster and Camden to ensure a seamless experience for applicants.
- Partnerships – strengthening alignment with West End stakeholders through a clear and proactive engagement strategy.
- Activation – developing a 2026 communications plan to build programme momentum.
- Organisational readiness – embedding the structures, capability and lessons learned from other London MDCs to ensure long-term success.
Alongside this, he ran through pre-election guidance, which will see normal business continue with increased caution around communications, and introduced the new executive committee for the interim stages – Katie Morrison (Deputy Chief Executive), Matt Blades (Director of Built Environment) and Adam Barrett (Interim Chief Finance Officer).
Meanwhile, Planning Committee Chair Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE, shared an update on the formation of the OSDC Planning Committee:
-
The OSDC currently expect to receive planning powers late May/early June.
- Will establish and promote policies that build on the mayor’s aims and priorities for the area, and will work to the Local Borough’s policies, the NPPF and the London Plan.
- Constitutionally and functionally – committee clerk is in place, meetings will take place on a monthly basis (evenings) with member’s briefings taking place before actual meetings. The first Planning Committee meeting is anticipated in July.
- Lots of interest in applications for Independent Membership. Applications to become an Independent Member of the Planning Committee close on 26th March at 23:59 - https://www.oxfordstreetdc.org.uk/jobs/appointment-to-the-planning-committee/
- Transparency and consistency will be key – and the Committee will look to make decisions in a coherent and cohesive fashion.
In addition, the Board approved the appointments of Richard Watts (Deputy Chief of Staff, Greater London Authority, GLA) and Sarah Brown (Mayoral Director – Communications, GLA) as observers to the Board, heard updates from the Chief Finance Officer and Audit and Risk Committee Chair, and discussed the budget provision.
The next Board meeting will take place post-election (22nd May).
To stay up to date with all the latest OSDC developments, get in touch at osdc@conciliocomms.com