London Assembly Leader’s bulletin May 2011

• [May 10] Caroline Pidgeon AM* writes: WELCOME to my latest Leader's bulletin, which highlights some of the important issues coming up in our work at City Hall and across London. It has been a tough few months for everyone, working hard to persuade voters in the referendum, as well as helping other local parties outside the capital, including in the parliamentary by-election in Leicester South. I am sure that we are all disappointed that we did not win the referendum for fairer votes. Given the overall vote nationally, I was very pleased to see a number of London Boroughs voting Yes. Thank you for all your hard work and efforts.

• Front counters and police stations under threat

The Metropolitan Police Service has started a public consultation on the future of 'public access channels', including police front counters. This consultation started on 11th April and will run until 27th May. The review will look into the different ways in which the public can contact the police and access services, such as by telephone, online and face-to-face methods, including via police stations and appointments.

It is clear to us that:

1. The Met's consultation which envisages just one front counter per borough going forward is unworkable because many people would have to travel long distances often in areas with inadequate transport links. We consider that there is a need for a minimum of three front counters per borough in addition to one police station in each borough, which is open 24/7.

2. The location of each front counter must be decided in consultation with local communities and they must be in accessible locations. Bureaucrats pouring over maps of an area they don't understand must not make decisions.

3. There must be no changes to the current model (and no closures of existing front counters) until a plan has been agreed with every London borough.

4. The Met must publish the results of their consultation in full including the number of people who responded to the consultation and the capacity in which they responded.

5. Improved telephone and web based reporting facilities must also be introduced.

The consultation is taking place online. We urge local councillors and activists to engage with this consultation so that we get the best possible result. For further detailed information please look at Dee Doocey's briefing note.

• Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

As part of the Government's programme of legislation, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill is making its way through Parliament and is currently in the Lords. The Government is currently looking to bring in the new structures which will see the Metropolitan Police Authority abolished and all powers being given to the Mayor from this October.

Baroness Dee Doocey has raised a number of concerns about how the new policing legislation will impact on London in the Lords, including the timing of the changes, how police complaints are dealt with in the future and the limited powers of the Police and Crime Panel, which will be a London Assembly Committee. You can see a full copy of the debate in Hansard with Dee's speech starting at 7.03 pm. For further information on policing please contact our team on the Metropolitan Police Authority lead member Baroness Dee Doocey AM or Caroline Pidgeon AM.

• Youth Fire Project saved

Liberal Democrat members of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority scored a campaigning victory in this year's budget round - securing extra funding for the Fire Brigade's youth engagement work.

As part of work to reduce juvenile fire-setting the London Fire Brigade runs its Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) scheme giving troubled youngsters first-hand experience of the work of fire-fighters. Young people spend a week at a fire station learning about personal responsibility, teamwork and basic fire-fighting skills. The programme is co-funded by the borough councils but with budgets under pressure the scheme was at risk. Lib Dems raised concerns about funding for LIFE at both the Assembly and through LFEPA's own budget making process.

Happily we secured a last-minute concession from the LFEPA Conservative administration to boost funding by £200,000 to keep the programme on track. And they are now looking at moving to a "social enterprise" model that could properly secure the scheme's long-term future. For further information contact our team on the Fire Authority, group leader Cllr Terry Stacy or Mike Tuffrey AM.

• Millions not claiming Tube refund

Most passengers are unaware that they are entitled to a refund for a delay of more than 15 minutes on the tube. In figures I have uncovered, just 330,000 of a potential 11 million Tube passengers claimed compensation for delays in 2010. London Underground confirmed that there were more than 1,800 delays of 15 minutes or more on the London Underground last year. No one should have to wait 15 minutes for a Tube train, yet incredibly 14 million people had to last year. It must be the Mayor's top priority to tackle these excessive delays. It is also vital that every Londoner is aware that they are entitled to compensation when such delays take place. For further information on this or any Transport issue, please contact Caroline Pidgeon AM.

• What's coming up at City Hall?

The London Assembly questions the Mayor each month and also holds plenary sessions, where we question key authorities and individuals. The Police and Fire Authorities also hold monthly full authority meetings where key issues are discussed. All meetings are open to the public and those held at City Hall are broadcast online.

Mayor's Question Time Wednesday 18th May 10am

Metropolitan Police Authority Thursday 26th May 10am

Police budget/Mayor's new Chief of Staff Plenary Wednesday 8th June 10am

Mayor's Question Time Wednesday 15th June 10am

London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Friday 24th June 2pm

Metropolitan Police Authority Thursday 30th June 10am

All meetings are held at City Hall apart from LFEPA which usually meets at LFEPA headquarters, 169 Union Street, London SE1. There is also the Mayor's Annual State of London Debate which will be held on Thursday 2^nd June from 7pm at the Central Methodist Hall, Westminster for those who are interested in coming along.

Keep in touch

Are you getting the latest news from the London Assembly Group? We publish a weekly briefing on news from City Hall. To subscribe e-mail assemblynews-subscribe@lists.libdems.org.uk

Websites: www.glalibdems.org.uk or www.carolinepidgeon.org

Twitter: @CarolinePidgeon

Visit City Hall: if you are interested in having a look around City Hall, then drop me an email to arrange.

* Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly