Commonplace: A Strategic Partner for London Councils in 2025

By Charlotte Dove Bowen | London | February 2025

London’s councils stand at a pivotal moment. Confronted by mounting financial pressures, a deepening housing crisis, and the urgent demand for economic growth, they must embrace innovative solutions to sustain public services and drive long-term development.

As the Spending Review 2025 emerges, Commonplace is uniquely positioned to empower our local authority partners with cutting-edge digital engagement tools that enhance public participation, generate data-driven insights, and streamline community planning.

1. Strengthening Financial Sustainability Through Digital Engagement

London councils face a funding gap exceeding ￡500m in 2025-26 while managing increasing regulatory responsibilities. By leveraging our scalable engagement platform, boroughs are capturing real-time feedback on budget allocations, ensuring resources are directed where they will have the greatest impact. This participatory budgeting approach fosters transparency, builds trust, and drives greater civic involvement - critical factors in securing additional public and private investment.

2. Tackling the Housing Crisis with Community-Driven Solutions

With one in 50 Londoners now living in temporary accommodation and housing supply failing to meet demand, boroughs must explore new ways to unlock development. Commonplace facilitates early resident engagement, streamlining planning consultations and reducing delays in housing projects. The platform’s data analytics help councils identify emerging housing trends, enabling strategic, evidence-based decision-making that supports sustainable development. Not only that, but our insights help to activate communities and future proof schemes.

3. Driving Economic Growth and Public Service Reform

London’s economic recovery depends on inclusive growth. Our digital consultation tools enable councils to collaborate with businesses and residents alike - in co-designing regeneration projects, ensuring developments align with local priorities. By integrating feedback loops into planning processes, boroughs can enhance urban design, improve public amenities, and attract investment while fostering economic resilience.

4. Enabling Preventative Policy Making

From social care to transport and environmental initiatives, prevention is key to long-term cost savings. We help our council partners to transition toward proactive governance by capturing public sentiment on policy changes before implementation. Whether mapping demand for adult social care services or measuring support for green initiatives, real-time engagement ensures that policies are effective, efficient, and publicly endorsed.

5. Supporting Assurance and Regulatory Compliance

As councils face increased scrutiny, our solutions provides a transparent, auditable record of public engagement, helping boroughs comply with evolving regulatory frameworks. By embedding digital participation into decision-making, councils can demonstrate accountability, mitigate risks, and reduce costly legal challenges related to planning disputes.

6. Enhancing Local Plans with Community Insight

Local Plans define the future of London’s boroughs, setting out development, infrastructure, and environmental priorities. 30 London Boroughs are set up update or develop a new Local Plan this year! Commonplace empowers councils to involve communities at every stage of Local Plan development, ensuring policies reflect local needs and aspirations. With expertise in delivering over 40 Local Plans - including Early Evidencing, Call for Sites, and Regulations 18 and 19 - Commonplace enables boroughs to develop community-backed strategies that meet government requirements while fostering public trust.

Beyond Local Plans: Supporting Boroughs in Key Areas

Community-Led Planning: Engaging residents in shaping Local Plans, neighbourhood frameworks, and infrastructure projects.

Regeneration and High Street Revitalisation: Facilitating consultations on town centre improvements to ensure businesses and residents have a voice in development plans.

Housing and Development: Helping councils streamline engagement on housing projects, ensuring developments align with community needs.

Transport and Public Realm Projects: Supporting boroughs in gathering feedback on cycling infrastructure, pedestrianisation, and road network changes.

Climate Action and Sustainability: Enabling councils to involve communities in discussions around net-zero strategies, green spaces, and climate resilience.

Health and Wellbeing Initiatives: Assisting in co-designing public health interventions, including active travel and mental health support services.

Smart Cities and Digital Transformation: Helping councils implement digital-first engagement strategies that improve communication and efficiency.

Youth and Education Initiatives: Supporting boroughs in gathering insights from young people to inform policies on education, training, and local youth services.

Crime Prevention and Community Safety: Engaging residents on crime reduction strategies, neighbourhood policing priorities, and community safety measures.

Cultural and Heritage Preservation: Involving communities in night time economy strategies, heritage conservation projects, public art initiatives, and cultural district planning.

Public Consultation and Citizen Engagement: Providing a user-friendly platform for councils to collect feedback on policies, services, and local initiatives.

Infrastructure and Energy Projects: Supporting engagement on major infrastructure upgrades, energy transition projects, and localised power solutions.

Social Care and Inclusion: Helping councils shape policies that address social inequality, accessibility, and support services for vulnerable communities.

Waste Management and Environmental Policies: Gathering public input on recycling initiatives, waste reduction strategies, and sustainable urban planning.

Emergency Response and Resilience Planning: Supporting councils in engaging residents on disaster preparedness, flood resilience, and emergency planning.

As London councils navigate an increasingly complex landscape, digital engagement is no longer optional - it is essential. Commonplace provides a smart, scalable solution that helps boroughs achieve their priorities, ensuring London remains a thriving, inclusive, and financially sustainable global city.

Are you a council wanting to explore the use of data-driven engagement solutions? Are you developing or refining your Local Plan?

Book in for a consultation with one of our in-house public sector engagement experts.

[email protected]