Your weekly update on London local government. Problems viewing this? [link removed] Add to safe sender.

Your weekly update of London local government issues

19 Apr 23

Boroughs commit to improving social housing services

The ( [link removed] )London Housing Directors' Group ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), with the support of London Councils, has led a new shared vision for delivering high-quality landlord services to council tenants in the capital.

Published last week, their report: ( [link removed] )Delivering for Tenants: The Foundations of an Effective Local Authority Landlord Service ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), sets out best practice principles on how boroughs can go beyond their statutory and regulatory responsibilities to deliver the highest possible housing standards.

( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell, ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: “Boroughs are proud social landlords. Social housing is a vital part of London’s infrastructure that provides affordable homes for hundreds of thousands of Londoners.

“However, the social housing sector is under massive pressure. Too often we have seen examples of tenants living in poor-quality housing and receiving a substandard service. Our tenants deserve better. Everyone should have a home that they can be proud of. This report will help us make that ambition a reality and I am grateful to everyone – especially tenants – who contributed to putting it together.

“When it comes to deciding the future of social housing in London, national policy and investment decisions remain fundamental factors. Boroughs will continue to work with ministers on this important agenda and push for the funding required to support our shared goals.”

Primary Schools admission figures

98 per cent of children due to start primary school in London this September have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools, figures published by the Pan London Admissions Board this week have revealed.

The Pan London Admissions Board has overall responsibility for the school application co-ordination scheme in the capital. Membership includes representatives of the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services, the London Inter Authority Admissions Group and the London Grid for Learning.

London primary schools received 87,277 applications in total this year, a 2.67 per cent decrease compared to last year.

( [link removed] )London Councils Executive Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Ian Edwards ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “It is positive that once again the overwhelming majority of children have an offer from one of their preferred schools. Boroughs have worked diligently with schools to ensure there are the places needed to meet demand across the capital.

“London boroughs are continuing to work with schools experiencing decreasing demand for school places to achieve good outcomes for young Londoners. London still has the best performing schools in the country and it is essential we protect them in this difficult climate.

“We remain keen to work with government to respond to pressures surrounding primary school places and to support the growing demand for development of specialist SEND provision at a local level, ensuring that that all London pupils have the best start in life.”

London Festival of Learning

( [link removed] )London Funders ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )– the cross-sector membership network for funders and investors in London’s civil society – will be hosting its annual Festival of Learning from 10 to 24 May.

This year;s programme will feature a number of in-person networking events, kicking off with  ‘ ( [link removed] )Let’s get the learning started ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )’ on 10 May (3-5pm, St Luke's Community Centre, EC1) and concluding with The Festival Finale ( [link removed] ) on 24 May (2-5pm, The Phoenix Garden, WC2)

The complete festival programme and booking links are available on the London Funders website here. ( [link removed] )

National emergency alert test to take take place this Sunday

There will be a national test of the UK’s new Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 23 April at 15:00.

The test alert will be sent to most mobile phones across the UK. Devices will make a distinct, siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds, including on phones switched to silent mode. Phones will also vibrate and display a message about the test. The test message will say:

"This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

"In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe."

You can hear an example of what the test will look and sound like in the government's short explainer video here. ( [link removed] )

Share this

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

or forward to a colleague [link removed]

Media round-up...

London boroughs launched new plan to improve social housing standards
( [link removed] )New Start ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

More London children get first-choice primary school
( [link removed] )BBC News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Drop in London primary applications puts future of some schools at risk
( [link removed] )The Guardian ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Funding allocated to tackle fly-tipping
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Social care assessments will not be 'scary'
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Why we need more School Streets as quickly as possible
( [link removed] )TransportXtra ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London given £35.7m for electric charging points
( [link removed] )BBC News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Details of this week’s UK mobile emergency alert system test released
( [link removed] )ITV News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )
Useful resources

Help with cost of living ( [link removed] )

Disasters Emergency Committee ( [link removed] )

Covid data and advice ( [link removed] )

Freedom Pass ( [link removed] )

Taxicard ( [link removed] )

Parking Services ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )
( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )You can now also follow London Councils  ( [link removed] )
on Instagram  ( [link removed] )

Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A )

visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

London Councils is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of London.We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard. 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL | [email protected] ( [email protected] )

Unsubscribe from this newsletter [link removed]