ADD2596 London’s wellbeing and sustainability measure – capital stocks

1.1 The wellbeing and sustainability measure is a commitment the Mayor made in his 2021 Manifesto.

1.2 In developing this measure, so far, the City Intelligence Unit (CIU) at the GLA has undertaken extensive analysis of existing wellbeing measures in cities and countries across the world; conducted research with a range of Londoners on their priorities; and worked with an expert group of academics and potential users of the measure.

1.3 From this work, the CIU has produced a draft framework for the wellbeing and sustainability measure, which has been out for consultation with Londoners through Talk London during summer 2022. The CIU will also be consulting stakeholders and potential users through a consultation event at City Hall in autumn 2022.

1.4 The first draft recommendation focuses primarily on current wellbeing and sustainability. The second part will look at capital measures of London’s assets to explore the potential impact of these on London’s future wellbeing and sustainability.

1.5 In order to determine what capital stocks might be appropriate to include in London’s wellbeing and sustainability measure, and how we might measure them, we are seeking to commission a suitable organisation to undertake this work.

1.6 Scotland’s National Wellbeing Framework defines capital stocks as the stocks of assets that sustain wellbeing over time. They can include natural capital (the stock of natural assets), economic capital (those assets which can be easily monetised), human capital (the skills and competencies of the population, including democratic participation) and social capital (how society is organised, networks and levels of trust).

1.7 The budget for this work is £40,000, which has been determined by prior experience of commissioning similar pieces of research.

1.8 The benefit to the GLA is that it will determine how we measure capital stocks as part of the wellbeing and sustainability measure. This will enable us to measure the sustainability of factors influencing Londoners’ wellbeing; and to fulfil the Mayor’s commitment of producing a wellbeing and sustainability measure in his 2021 manifesto.

1.9 The London wellbeing and sustainability measure will support the work, not only within the GLA but also in a wide variety of organisations across the city, to improve the lives of Londoners. These include, for example, London boroughs, public health organisations and the police.

1.10 A supplier will be procured in accordance with the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code.

1.11 There is widespread interest in this topic area, and an Advisory Group set up for the first phase of this research, so this network can be drawn on to identify suitable bidders for this procurement.  

2.1 The objectives of this research are to get a greater understanding of London’s capital stocks and to determine how they can be measured. This is so that we can incorporate them into future iterations of London’s wellbeing and sustainability measure, and provide a more complete view of London’s wellbeing, looking at both current and future wellbeing.

2.2 Adding this enhanced understanding to London’s wellbeing and sustainability measure will help us see where London is making progress, and where further work is needed. It will also help us better understand London’s inequality; how it impacts wellbeing; and how it can be reduced and/or improved.

3.1 Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, the GLA must have ‘due regard’ of the Public Sector Equality Duty – that is, the need to:

i. eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

ii. advance equality of opportunity

iii. foster good relations between people who have a protected characteristic and those who do not.

3.2 Equality, diversity and inclusion are some of the key drivers behind this research. The individual measures within the overall wellbeing and sustainability measure will be analysed in terms of inequalities as well as trends, where data allow. This approach will allow us to track which aspects of our lives are getting better or worse for particular groups of Londoners, including those with different protected characteristics.

3.3 Understanding the wellbeing of more groups of Londoners will help the GLA shape the development of policy going forward; and ensure that equality impacts are considered as critical decisions are made.

4.1 Key risks and issues

4.2 There are no conflicts of interest to note for any of those involved in drafting or clearance of the decision form.

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities

4.3 This work directly supports the Mayor’s manifesto commitment in 2021:

“Now is also the right time to look afresh at how we measure our success as a city. For years, we’ve measured prosperity — like most cities and countries — in terms of material wealth that is generated by our economic activity. But the strength, sustainability and wellbeing of our economy and society are not currently properly reflected. So I’ll work with others to establish a new measure of wellbeing in London as the core indicator of our city’s success as a place to work and live for all its residents.”

There is already a lot of data published about the wellbeing of Londoners by the GLA and other organisations. However, this new wellbeing and sustainability measure for London will provide a common evidence base across the city, which can be used by all organisations working to improve the lives of Londoners.

5.1 Approval is being sought for expenditure of up to £40,000 to procure an organisation to explore the types of capital stocks required for current and future wellbeing in London and examine ways to measure them to be incorporated wellbeing and sustainability measure

5.2 The expenditure will be funded from the Demography and Policy Analysis Unit 2022-23 budget held within the City intelligence Unit.

6.1 The foregoing sections of this report indicate that the decisions requested of the Assistant Director of City Intelligence concern the exercise of the GLA’s general powers, falling within the GLA’s statutory powers to do such things considered to further or that are facilitative of, or conductive or incidental to, the promotion of economic development and wealth creation, social development or improvement of the environment, in Greater London.

6.2 In implementing the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought, officers should comply with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

i. pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people

ii. consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons, health inequalities between persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom

iii. consult with appropriate bodies.

6.3 In taking the decisions requested, as noted in section 3 above, the Assistant Director of City Intelligence must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, namely the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010; to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (race, disability, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, and gender reassignment) and persons who do not share it; and to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. To this end, the Assistant Director of City Intelligence should have particular regard to section 3 (above) of this report.

6.4 Section 1 of this report indicates that part of the sought budget will amount to the provision of payment for services. Officers must ensure that the funding is distributed fairly; transparently; in accordance with the GLA’s equality policy and subsidy control rules; and in a manner that affords value for money in accordance with the GLA Contracts and Funding Code. Officers must ensure that an appropriate funding agreement is put in place and executed by the GLA and the recipient before any commitment to funding is made.