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, 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.

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.

Cllr Rick Jewell, Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment 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."

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). You can read the result in full on Newham's website here.