London Assembly Leader’s bulletin December 2010

• [Dec 21] Caroline Pidgeon writes: WELCOME to my Leader's bulletin, which gives an update on some of the key issues in London and at City Hall, and how you can find out more about the ones that matter to you and your area.

Fares set to increase in 2011

The Mayor of London announced his fares package for 2011 on the day of the Comprehensive Spending Review. Hidden in his press release was the removal of many one day travelcards, especially some that do not include Zone 1.

This means that for many people in Outer London who use One day Travelcards, their fares will increase by around 67%. In addition, the Mayor is also increasing single bus fares using Pay As You Go. Boris will have introduced a 44% increase in bus fares from 90p to £1.30 since he became Mayor in 2008. A 2011 Fares Campaign Pack will shortly be available on Huddle with focus articles, background information and a survey you can use to help campaign on the fare rises. For further information do get in touch.

Changes to powers for the Mayor and Assembly

The recently published Localism Bill brings new powers to the Mayor and - to a lesser extent - the Assembly. The proposals include

• the devolution of executive powers over housing investment from the Homes and Communities Agency to the Greater London Authority so it can be fully aligned with the Mayor's own funding pot and the London Housing Strategy;

• the abolition of the London Development Agency, with its city-wide roles on regeneration and management of European funding to be transferred to the Greater London Authority so that the Mayor is directly accountable;

• new powers for the Mayor of London to create Mayoral Development Corporations to focus regeneration where it's needed most, such as to help secure East London's Olympic legacy, in partnership with London Boroughs;

• streamlining consultation on Mayoral strategies, with the Assembly gaining a new power to reject the Mayor's final strategies by a two-thirds majority.

We anticipate some amendments to the legislation such as for the Mayor to take over responsibility for the Royal Parks and for the abolition of TravelWatch, with the Assembly taking over its role.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill which is making its way through Parliament will also result in major changes to policing in the capital. The Metropolitan Police Authority will be abolished with the Mayor taking over much of this role through the creation of 'The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime'. The London Assembly will establish a Police and Crime Panel to oversee the work of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime. The exact structure is still not clear, but it may come into existence ahead of the rest of the country in autumn 2011. For further information contact Caroline Pidgeon AM or our lead member on the MPA Dee Doocey AM.

Fire Brigade Strike - UPDATE

There is good news from London's Fire Authority where both sides in the fire-fighter shift patterns dispute agreed to go to non-binding arbitration after two one-day strikes. The FBU are currently balloting members on their response to the arbitrators' suggested compromises, but it looks likely that agreement can be reached. Sadly the Conservative leadership of LFEPA are in less of a mood for compromise.

Chairman Cllr Brian Coleman AM has claimed that the fire service has survived so well with reduced capacity during the dispute that they should look at scrapping up to 27 fire engines from the Brigade's fleet. Appliances stationed in Kingston, Sutton, Lambeth, Islington, Brent, Camden and Kensington are amongst those at risk. Whether Boris lets him go ahead with his cuts plan remains to be seen! For further information contact our team on the Fire Authority, group leader Cllr Terry Stacy or Mike Tuffrey AM.

London's voluntary sector under threat

Conservative and Labour councillors have voted to cut the Londonwide grants programme by £16 million. They also voted to end many existing programmes, resulting in public money being used for redundancy and winding up costs rather than delivering services for Londoners. The London Youth Games, Victim Support London and Shelter's Homelessness helpline were just some of the projects that were cut.

This will result in little funding for organisations that work cross-borough or pan London. Liberal Democrat councillors argued for a further £4.8 million to be put back into the pot, to support a number of programmes and projects including reinstating funding for Transport for All and the London Youth Games. For further information on how your Borough will be affected contact the Lib Dem Team at London Councils.