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Your weekly update of London local government issues

26 Apr 23

Pothole problem needs long term funding solution

London Councils Executive Member for Transport and Environment Mayor Philip Glanville has called on government to provide a "better and more stable" funding solution to ensure London's roads are properly maintained.

Speaking on BBC Politics London on Sunday, Mayor Glanville said: "The problem is that potholes are the acute end of the problem. We've seen funding cuts for councils across the board and especially more recently a funding cut to road maintenance. We were seeing around £20m going to London for road maintenance in 2016, that is now down to £2.6m.

"Without routine and regular maintenance for our roads we are just patching."

London Councils estimates the cost of the maintenance backlog for London's roads at around £1.6 billion. "That is completely unaffordable without a proper settlement from government", said Mayor Glanville.

You can watch the BBC Politics item in full on the ( [link removed] )BBC iPlayer here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) (from 1 min)

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APPG for London 

The ( [link removed] )APPG for London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) held its AGM on Monday.

The AGM saw seven of the eight current officers re-elected, including the two co-chairs Bob Neill MP and Florence Eshalomi MP, and three new vice chairs were welcomed to the group: Dawn Butler MP, Marsha de Cordova MP and Munira Wilson MP.

MPs and Peers attending also heard from guest speaker ( [link removed] )Martin Machray, Executive Director of Performance for NHS London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), who gave an update on health issues across the capital that was well received by attendees, with questions on a wide range of topics, including screening, mental health among young people, recruitment, sexual health/gender identity services and GP waiting times.

The APPG for London is a forum for MPs and Peers to work together on a cross-party basis to strengthen the capital's voice in Parliament. The group’s purpose is to promote the capital in the interests of all Londoners.

London Councils provides the secretariat to the group on behalf of London government, including the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. 

APPG meetings are open to MPs, Peers and representatives of organisations interested in and affected by the issues being discussed.

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London Homelessness Awards 2023

The 2023 London Homelessness Awards (LHA) opened for applications this week.

With a prize fund of £60,000, the LHA recognise the significant achievements and excellent work of teams and projects across London working with people who are, or are at risk of becoming, homeless.

The awards are open to all projects in London working in the field of homelessness, this includes registered social landlords, local councils, NHS and health-related organisations, voluntary organisations, or a partnership of any of these. The only stipulation is that the project must have been operating and delivering services for a minimum of six months.

Now in their 22nd year, the awards were originally set up in memory of Andy Ludlow, director of housing and social services at Haringey Council. He was a pioneer in developing a holistic approach to housing and social services. After he died, at the age of just 51, London’s housing directors set up the Andy Ludlow Homelessness Awards as a lasting legacy and testament to his tireless work in the sector.

( [link removed] )Find out more about the London Homelessness Awards, including how to enter, here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

By-election result 

A by-election took place in the Bullsmoor ward (LB Enfield) last week (Thursday 20 April). The by-election was won by Destiny Karakus (Labour). You can the full result here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Media round-up...

Cyber attack led to data breach
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

New Right to Buy receipts policy may be ‘too little, too late’, councils say
( [link removed] )Inside Housing ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Rise in school absences since Covid driven by anxiety and lack of support, say English councils
( [link removed] )The Guardian ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Eco-friendly gardeners should be offered council tax cut
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

‘Scandal’: Empty homes in London at their highest level since 2010
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

What disabled children’s abuse inquiry means for social workers and councils
( [link removed] )Community Care ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Stephen Lawrence detective says new force should take over Met investigation
( [link removed] )The Guardian ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Shareholders in Grenfell cladding and insulation firms warned of ‘severe consequences’ if they don’t pay for remediation
( [link removed] )Inside Housing ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Hackney chief steps back from duties
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [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] )

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( [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] )

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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] )

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