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Your weekly update of London local government issues

17 May 23

Building London's sustainable and inclusive future

London boroughs are set to unveil a list of key infrastructure projects needed to secure “a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable” future for the capital.

The ( [link removed] )London Infrastructure Framework ( [link removed] ) will be officially unveiled at ( [link removed] )UKREiiF 2023 ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) – the UK’s real estate investment and infrastructure forum - in Leeds later today.

The framework, which has been developed with the boroughs by the economic consultancy Metro Dynamics and through close working with the Greater London Authority and Transport for London, will promote more efficient planning and delivery of infrastructure and enable a more united pan-London voice to support projects in accessing funding.

London Councils’ Executive Member for London's Future: Business, Economy and Culture, Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, said: “By setting out boroughs’ agreed priorities and the exciting range of development opportunities across the capital, the London infrastructure framework will drive investment towards where it will make the most difference.

“But alongside this new framework, we are also calling for a new devolution deal for the capital to support boroughs’ ambitions around growth and infrastructure. Letting boroughs keep more proceeds from locally driven growth would help us secure investment for these strategic projects and bring benefits not only to Londoners but the UK economy as a whole.   

“Boroughs are more determined than ever to work with each other and with our partners in City Hall and central government, as well as with private investors. Together we can secure the infrastructure London needs to thrive in the coming years and maximise its contribution to the UK’s economic well-being.”  

More than 100,000 households now living in temporary accommodation

The latest government statistics on homelessness in England (covering October to December 2022) show that there were 101,300 households living in temporary accommodation (TA) – the highest figure since 2005. The TA crisis is at its most acute in London, which accounts for two thirds of the total in England and Wales.

( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell, ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )  said: “These figures are the latest evidence of a homelessness crisis spiralling out of control.

“The situation is particularly bad in London due to the combination of cost-of-living pressures, a chronic shortage of affordable housing, and with rising rents and fewer properties available in the private rented sector.

“Boroughs do everything we can to support homeless households, but things cannot go on as they are. Homelessness has a devastating impact on people experiencing it, particularly children, and also leads to unsustainable pressure on council budgets.

“Emergency action is needed from the government to help households avoid homelessness and to reduce the number in temporary accommodation.”

Borough chief executive news

Fiona Taylor is set to be appointed as Chief Executive of Barking and Dagenham on a permanent basis, having been acting CEO of the council since April 2022. The appointment is subject to confirmation at the council meeting this evening.

And current Islington Chief Executive Linzi Roberts-Egan will be moving to Waltham Forest as its new Chief Executive following Martin Essom's retirement, subject to approval by the council at its next full meeting on 25 May.

London Innovation and Improvement Alliance website

The London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA) has launched a ( [link removed] )new website ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), with clearer navigation and more detailed information about projects.

LIIA is the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS) improvement partnership and is hosted by London Councils. LIIA work to improve outcomes for London’s children and young people.

LIIA works with Department for Education, the Local Government Association (LGA), the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) and the eight other Regional Improvement and Innovation Alliances across the country to promote learning, facilitate collaboration, enable governance, leverage investment and share best practice solutions.

They are taking forward four priority programmes on behalf of ALDCS in response to the most pressing challenges in the children’s sector: Adolescent Safeguarding; SEND: Resources & Commissioning; and Workforce.

Making Every Contact Count

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) London and the London Directors of Public Health (ADPH London) have launched ( [link removed] )MECC Link London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) - an online directory of health and wellbeing services for all 33 London councils, as well as information on key healthy lifestyle topics, suggested open questions using the Ask, Assist, Act model and information on a range of primary self-care tools and resources.

The platform is intended for use by health and social care professionals, GPs, nurses, police, social prescribers, and anyone offering frontline help and support in communities across London. 

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Media round-up...

London boroughs call for ‘emergency action’ on homelessness
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Home Office hotel bookings pose problem for rough sleeper support, London boroughs claim
( [link removed] )Inside Housing ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Met chief Sir Mark Rowley ‘crazy’ for not accepting the force is institutionally racist, says Louise Casey
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Migrant families without access to benefits struggling to feed children, research warns
( [link removed] )Children and Young People Now ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Leaseholds will not be abolished by government this year
( [link removed] )BBC News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

'Do we want to live in a city without any children?’ — the terrifying reality of London’s school closures
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Cost of living: Health of London's poorest hit hardest
( [link removed] )BBC News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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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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