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Your weekly update of London local government issues

29 Nov 23

London Councils' Autumn Statement response

London Councils has responded to the government's Autumn Statement delivered last week (Wednesday 22 November), warning that it leaves boroughs facing massive financial pressures and many struggling to balance their budgets this year. 

Cllr Claire Holland, Acting Chair of London Councils ( [link removed] ), said "After years of campaigning for an increase in Local Housing Allowance, we welcome the decision to end the freeze. Boosting LHA is essential for helping low-income Londoners pay their rent and avoid homelessness. This is good news for London renters and for boroughs’ hard-pressed homelessness services."

“But with one in 50 Londoners currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough, the housing crisis remains a critical risk to town hall budgets. Enormous and growing pressures can also be seen across other vital services, especially adult and children’s social care".

"We will keep pushing for more funding support in the face of these on-going challenges, as well as the long-term reforms to local government finance that are crucial for sustaining London’s local services in the years to come."

You can read our full briefing on our website ( [link removed] ).

Borough creates woodland to reduce flooding risk 

Enfield Council is using natural solutions to reduce the risk of flooding in the borough, transforming 80 hectares of land into new woodlands. The Enfield Chase Woodland Creation area, equivalent to more than 100 football pitches, includes ponds fitted with sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). These encourage a natural water filtering process, using non plastic material and allowing the soil to soak up and hold more water.

( [link removed] )Cllr Rick Jewell, Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: "Enfield is committed to finding proactive solutions to be ready for flooding challenges when they arise in the borough.

"The rewilding flood management project will bolster the natural wetland ecosystem not only providing flood defences, but encouraging local biodiversity to grow and thrive."

By-election result

A by-election took place in the Plaistow North ward in Newham last week (Thursday 23 November). The by-election was won by Sophia Naqvi (Independent). ( [link removed] )You can read the result in full on Newham's website here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Media round-up...

Autumn Statement: The levelling down of London continues

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

Budget concerns remain following Autumn Statement

( [link removed] )Public Sector Executive ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Shortfall in London councils' budgets increases to £600m
Inside Housing ( [link removed] )

Updated: Local Housing Allowance rates to rise from April 2024

LGC ( [link removed] )

Drink spiking offences in London quadruple in five years
Evening Standard ( [link removed] )

Useful resources

Help with cost of living ( [link removed] )

Disasters Emergency Committee ( [link removed] )

Freedom Pass ( [link removed] )

Taxicard ( [link removed] )

Parking Services ( [link removed] )

About London Councils ( [link removed] )

Do It London's 'Be Sure, Know the Four' campaign is a reminder  that combination prevention is still the most effective strategy to prevent HIV.

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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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