Direct Council investment and resources to support good growth

To realise Bexley’s ambitions for sustainable and inclusive development, we will prioritise the Councils investment activity and strategically deploy resources to enable good growth across the borough.

This means positioning Bexley as a destination of choice for investors, developers and businesses, maintaining and preserving our unique assets, improving connectivity and our potential for transformation. We will direct our resources to work in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors to unlock funding, stimulate innovation and bring forward high-quality development that benefits our communities.

We will focus our efforts on

• Promoting Bexley’s investment potential through targeted engagement, marketing and partnership development
• Leveraging Council resources including land, infrastructure and funding to unlock sites and support regeneration
• Better aligning Council investment with local priorities, ensuring that Council led growth delivers things that are important to Bexley residents and businesses such as affordable housing, employment opportunities, improved public realm and resilient infrastructure
• Championing good growth that is inclusive, environmentally responsible and community-led, ensuring development enhances quality of life and reflects the character of Bexley’s places

This principle underpins our commitment to shaping a borough that grows not just in numbers, but in opportunity, equity and sustainability.

Foster a thriving and robust inward investment climate

Creating the conditions for a strong and resilient investment climate is central to Bexley’s long-term growth ambitions. This principle focuses on building confidence among new and existing investors, developers and businesses by ensuring that Bexley is a place where appropriate investment is welcomed, supported and able to flourish.

We will foster an environment that is transparent, responsive and proactive, where planning and infrastructure decisions are aligned with economic opportunity. By strengthening our local offer and avoiding unnecessary barriers to investment, we will encourage a diverse range of partners to contribute to Bexley’s regeneration and development.

Our approach will include

• strengthening investor confidence through clear leadership, consistent policy and a commitment to delivery
• creating a supportive planning and regulatory environment that enables timely and high-quality development
• ensuring everyone contributes to infrastructure and placemaking to enhance the attractiveness and functionality of key growth areas
• building strong relationships with the private sector, neighbouring boroughs, regional bodies and government to identify opportunities, make connections, unlock funding and provide strategic support

This principle supports our ambition to make Bexley a borough where investment is not only possible, but actively enabled and sustained, driving long-term prosperity and resilience.

Work with our communities to deliver good growth

Bexley’s growth must be shaped by the people who live, work and invest in the borough. This principle recognises that good growth is not just about physical development, but about creating places that reflect the aspirations, needs and identities of our communities.

We will work collaboratively with residents, businesses, voluntary organisations and cultural partners to ensure that growth is inclusive, locally informed and socially sustainable. By embedding community engagement into the planning, delivery, operation and maintenance of change, we will build trust, strengthen local ownership and ensure that development enhances quality of life.

Our approach will include

• engaging communities early and meaningfully in shaping plans, policies and projects
• supporting local leadership and capacity to influence and participate in growth
• ensuring that development reflects local character, heritage and cultural identity
• creating opportunities for community-led regeneration, stewardship, social enterprise and creative placemaking
• promoting inclusive access to all aspects of growth, including housing, jobs, public spaces and cultural experiences

This principle reinforces our commitment to delivering growth that is not only well-designed and economically viable, but also rooted in the values, voices and vibrancy of Bexley’s communities.

Strengthening partnerships to enhance alignment, build capacity and drive impact

Strong and effective partnerships are essential to delivering Bexley’s growth ambitions. This principle focuses on building collaborative relationships across sectors to ensure that efforts are aligned, resources are maximised and outcomes are impactful.

We will work with public sector bodies, private investors, community organisations, cultural institutions and regional stakeholders to create a shared vision for growth. By fostering trust, clarity and mutual commitment, we will strengthen our collective ability to plan, deliver and sustain change.

Our approach will include

• developing strategic partnerships that align with Bexley’s priorities and unlock shared investment
• strengthening collaboration across local government, health, education, housing, infrastructure and culture
• building capacity within the council and among partners to deliver complex and long-term projects
• promoting joint working and co-design to ensure that growth is inclusive, place-based and responsive to local needs
• working closely with our established Business Improvement Districts to ensure the views and opinions of the town centre business community are considered
• leveraging regional and national networks to secure funding, policy support and innovation

This principle reflects our belief that meaningful and lasting impact is achieved through partnership. By working together, we will deliver growth that is coordinated, resilient and rooted in the strengths of Bexley’s people, places and cultural identity.

Prevention and early intervention to drive prosperity

Prosperity in Bexley must be built on strong foundations. This principle focuses on identifying challenges early and taking proactive steps to prevent issues from escalating, ensuring that individuals, families and communities are supported to thrive.

We will embed prevention and early intervention across our approach to housing, health, education, employment and community wellbeing. By acting early, we can reduce inequalities, improve life chances and create the conditions for long-term economic and social prosperity.

Our approach will include

• investing in services and programmes that support people before they reach crisis
• strengthening data, insight and local intelligence to identify emerging needs and target resources effectively
• supporting inclusive access to health, education, training, employment and housing to reduce barriers to opportunity
• promoting cultural participation and creative engagement as a means of improving wellbeing and community cohesion
• working with partners to design integrated solutions that address root causes and build resilience

This principle reflects our commitment to building a fairer, healthier and more prosperous Bexley, where early action leads to better outcomes for all.

Connectivity to enable access and equity

Transport and digital connectivity are fundamental to enabling inclusive growth and ensuring that all residents and businesses in Bexley can access opportunities, services and cultural experiences. This principle focuses on improving physical, digital and social connections across the borough to support equity, mobility and cohesion.

We will strengthen transport links, digital infrastructure and place-based networks to ensure that growth is accessible to all. By improving connectivity within Bexley and to the wider region, we will unlock potential, reduce isolation and support vibrant, well-connected communities.

Our approach will include

• enhancing public transport infrastructure to improve access to jobs, education, health, housing and leisure destinations
• expanding digital connectivity to support innovation, inclusion and economic participation
• promoting active travel and sustainable mobility to improve health and reduce environmental impact
• strengthening local networks and community infrastructure to support social connection and resilience
• ensuring that connectivity improvements are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all residents, including those facing barriers to access

This principle supports our vision for a borough where everyone can participate in and benefit from growth, and where connectivity drives opportunity, equity and cultural vitality.