The Local Strategic Partnership’s (LSP) east Acton project is testament to the more hands-on approach the council and its partners are taking to improve the borough, says Ealing’s council leader.

Councillor Julian Bell said three years ago they claimed they wanted to do less talking and more doing, and work undertaken this year to improve lives for people in the chosen area has proved that.

At Thursday’s (November 13) scrutiny meeting Mr Bell said: “We will have discussions over the next couple of months on how we can be more strategic.

“Everybody knows there’s not any more money but if you pull your money and resources together, we can work in a better way.”

The LSP monitors trends in key quality of life issues such as health, crime, prosperity and physical environment by managing joint partnership projects.

Mr Bell said: “We have been looking at apprenticeships and how to encourage our young people to have work experience and develop skills in the workplace.

“We are working with the Government across the west London alliance to try and improve services we deliver with our partners.”

At the meeting east Acton councillor Kate Crawford asked whether the council would be utilising opportunities surrounding HS2, to which the council leader said they would be looking to maximise opportunities for any future training and apprenticeships around Old Oak Common and HS2.

Ricky Singh of the Ealing Racial Equality Council said: “Last Thursday (November 6) we had an event which had different partners in the borough including A2Dominion and universities, with a view to develop trade apprenticeships. Heather David, A2Dominion Head of Community Involvement, has been working with Ealing Council, which itself has a very good apprenticeship scheme.”

Elthorne ward councillor Peter Mason asked how they could ensure the types of apprenticeships provided would get people into well paid jobs, to which Mr Bell replied by working together with colleges in west London.

Matthew Jeatt, Education Co-optee, added: “Now is the time for us to be thinking how children with learning disabilities can also be involved in these opportunities. Do not underestimate how proud some of the young people from these groups would feel in taking part in developing the future of their community. “Let’s not address that further down the line but let’s think how we can fit them in now.”

Mr Bell assured Mr Jeatt the council is also working with people with mental health issues and people with learning disabilities as part of the project.

Temporary Borough Commander Paul Martin from Ealing Police said: “We have reduced burglary by 20 per cent in the last 12 months and that’s down to the fact we work with the local authority. We have to look for more opportunities to share our resources.”