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London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham: An Overview

This page provides an overview and statistical information concerning the Hammersmith & Fulham Borough, for additional information please read the LBHF website

Location

Hammersmith & Fulham is one of the 13 inner London boroughs and is situated in the centre-west of London on the transport routes between the City and Heathrow airport. It is a long narrow borough running north to south with a river border at its south and south-west side. It is bordered by six London boroughs: Brent to the north; Kensington and Chelsea to the east; Wandsworth and Richmond-Upon-Thames to the south; and Ealing and Hounslow to the west. Excluding the City of London, it is the third smallest of the London boroughs in terms of area, covering 1,640 hectares.

Political composition

The borough has 46 elected councillors, 33 Conservative and 13 Labour. Elections happen every four years and the last election was on 4 May 2006. The council modernised its political management in 1998 (it was the first council nationally to do so). An executive, known as the Cabinet, comprises the Leader, and seven Cabinet members, with portfolios for Residents' Services, Community & Children's Services, Housing, Culture & Heritage (also Chief Whip), Environment (also Deputy Leader), Strategy, and Crime & Anti-social Behaviour. The Cabinet is the key decision making body.

Management of the Council

The Council is managed by a Chief Executive and 5 chief officers: Director of Children's Services, Director of Community Services, Director of Environment, Director of Finance & Community Services and Director or Resident Services.

Population profile – 2001 Census

The borough population was measured at 165,242 at the time of the 2001 Census with a population density of 101 people per hectare. This makes Hammersmith & Fulham the fourth most densely populated local authority in England and Wales. At the time of the last census, 75,438 households were counted in the borough. The borough has a very mixed population; almost one in four is of black or Asian origin and around six per cent Irish. The borough’s school children speak some 136 languages between them. The population is growing and is expected to rise to 212,000 by 2021. The proportion of young people in the borough is comparatively high. Nearly half the population is aged between 17 and 39. Mobility is also high, with half the households having lived at their current address for less than six years.

Local economy

Hammersmith & Fulham has three thriving town centres: Shepherd’s Bush in the north, Hammersmith in the centre-west, and Fulham in the south. The borough is home to some major international companies, and has a strong reputation as an area noted for media and entertainment industry firm locations. The largest employer in the borough is the BBC with BBC Television Centre headquarters located in White City.

Local attractions (cultural & sporting)

The borough has a strong sporting profile. It is home to three professional football clubs - Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, and Queens Park Rangers FC. The borough also houses Queen’s Club tennis club which hosts the Stella Artois Championships each summer. The borough has an interesting historical heritage and houses attractions including Fulham Palace (historic home of Bishops of London), and Kelmscott House (home to William Morris for the last 18 years of his life). Two of London’s major exhibition centres, Earls Court 2 and Olympia, are also located within Hammersmith & Fulham. The two centres host trade shows, consumer shows, and exhibitions, throughout the year. A 2002 study, showed that each year, one in every two Londoners visits an event at either Earls Court or Olympia.

Parks & open spaces

The borough has 53 parks, open spaces, and cemeteries. These include the popular Ravenscourt Park in the west of the borough, and Bishops Park in the south. The northern border of the borough is home to Wormwood Scrubs nature reserve, the largest area of green space in Hammersmith & Fulham. Seven areas of ‘the scrubs’ were designated as a Local Nature Reserve by the Council in 2002.