About us

History
In 1987 a number of property owners in Westminster saw advantage in presenting views collectively to Westminster City Council. Discussions were held with the then Leader of the Council, other key elected members and appropriate senior officers. As a result the City Council for their part made it clear that they saw value in obtaining considered collective views on property matters from a single responsible body. Following exploratory meetings in late 1987, the Westminster Property Owners Association (WPOA) came into being on 1 January 1988.

Eligible Members
Firms which are freeholders or leaseholders of property in Westminster and firms across the range of disciplines which act as professional property advisers in Westminster are eligible for membership. Each member firm nominates a person as its representative for WPOA purposes.

The WPOA has over 140 members and represents a substantial proportion of property owners in Westminster. The full list is set out each year in the Annual Report..

Council, Office Bearers and Executive
The WPOA is governed by a Council (currently 30 strong) elected by and from its membership and meeting quarterly. The Council each year elects a Chairman (who holds office for two years), Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer. Day-to-day running is delegated to a part-time, paid Director (three days per week) and Administrative Assistant (two days per week).

The principal officers of the Association are:

Constitution
The WPOA's Constitution sets out detailed rules of operation. Copies can be obtained on request from the Director.

Objects
Under its constitution the formal objects of the WPOA are to:

• act as a representative body for, and to protect and further the interests of, property owners collectively - and also the public (in particular those who live and work in Westminster) in relation to matters of planning and the environment;
  
• consider all aspects of planning and other matters insofar as they affect property in Westminster
  
• collect, collate and disseminate relevant views and information from and for its members;
  
• liaise with other bodies and individuals, in particular with Westminster City Council at elected member and officer levels.

WPOA interprets its formal objects widely. In making representations to the City Council and other bodies WPOA has regard not just to the short term financial interests of members, but to the economic well-being of the city, since it is upon that the prosperity of owners, occupiers and investors ultimately depends. It also takes into account the fact that Westminster is an international destination, and that the interests of foreign visitors are important. In undertaking its role it aims to contribute positively to improving:

• the physical environment of Westminster;
  
• the quality of life for people working, living and visiting Westminster; and
  
• the economic well being of the City.

WPOA places particular importance establishing good working relationships with Westminster City Council at elected Member and Officer levels, and aims to provide Westminster's Planning Department, acknowledged as the business planning department within the country, with high quality feedback from the property industry so as to assist them in performing their duties to optimum efficiency.

The WPOA is strictly non-political.

The WPOA does not concern itself with individual planning applications. It does, however, pursue points arising from individual cases where these are relevant to planning procedures generally within Westminster.

Relationship with Westminster City Council
The WPOA seeks a positive working relationship with Westminster City Council such that its representations are a basis for genuine and solid discussion. This should always be possible provided that that the WPOA continues to represent a significant proportion of property owners and advisers in Westminster and conducts its work in a responsible manner. The City Council for its part benefits by being able to access quickly the considered views of business and property owners.

Dealings with the City Council inevitably involve from time to time differences of view. The WPOA and the City Council both, however, considers it important to maintain a constructive and positive dialogue across the range of common concerns.

Considerate Builders Scheme
The WPOA, as a proactive organization concerned with the physical environment, supports the Considerate Builders Scheme in Westminster and takes part in the annual judging process. At its Annual Luncheon a trophy is presented to the Considerate Builder of the year.

Liaison with Kindred Bodies
The WPOA maintains its focus on Westminster and generally looks to other bodies to lead on cross-London or national issues affecting its members. WPOA is, however:

• in close liaison with other bodies (e.g. the British Property Federation, the City Property Association, New West End Company, London First) with a view to supporting them where appropriate, but without duplicating their work;
  
• prepared where necessary to play an independent role where a particular Westminster dimension arises (e.g. on aspects of the Mayor of London's Draft London Plan).
  

Current Issues
The Annual Report deals with those issues with which the WPOA has been involved over the previous year. In addition, the Annual Luncheon brochure provides a summary of recent activity. Current issues include:

• planning policies (Westminster City Council's Unitary Development Plan and the
  Mayor's London Plan);
  
• delivery of planning services in Westminster, with particular reference to section 106 procedures and highways works;
  
• affordable housing;
  
• Victoria Special Area;
  
• transportation in Westminster;
  
• management of the West End;
• Business Improvement Districts.
  

Working Parties
Currently WPOA is running Working Parties covering

How to join
Apply to the General Council via the Director at

Westminster Property Association
1 Warwick Row - 7th Floor
London SW1E 5ER
Tel: 0207 630 1782
Fax: 0207 630 8344
freddaway@bpf.org.uk

or click on the link below for an application form

WPOA Application Form >>