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

Your weekly London local government update

07 Aug  24

Boroughs back housing boost

Responding to the Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement on reforming the National Planning Policy Framework, London boroughs have reiterated their strong support for housing growth.

London Councils welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister’s declaration that councils will have more freedom over how they use the money raised from Right to Buy council house sales. Boroughs have called for fewer restrictions on the use of these sales receipts, arguing that they undermine boroughs’ ability to invest locally in replacement homes and that too much funding is redirected to the Treasury.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Planning & Skills, Cllr Peter Mason ( [link removed] ), said:  “There is no doubt that more homes are urgently needed in London and indeed around the country. Boroughs are strongly pro-housing growth and welcome the government’s focus on boosting housebuilding – including affordable homes and social housing.

“New flexibilities over how we use Right to Buy sales receipts are a big step in the right direction. Reducing restrictions will help ensure more money raised from council house sales is better invested locally in building replacement homes.

“London boroughs have a good record in granting planning permission, but construction of new homes has seriously stalled in the capital and we’re keen to work with the government in addressing this. As well as improving the planning system, we also need action on the other major factors undermining housebuilding – including the lack of local infrastructure, construction skills shortages, and insufficient long-term funding for affordable homes.”

London faces the most severe housing pressures in the country. London Councils estimates one in 50 Londoners is currently homeless and there are more than 320,000 households are on waiting lists for social housing in the capital.

Consumption based emissions

London Councils has published its latest data on consumption-based emissions (CBEs) for London, which provides boroughs with insights for the emissions from the consumption of goods and services.

The data, commissioned in partnership with ReLondon and the Greater London Authority, has been produced by Leeds University. It outlines the importance of addressing CBEs in order to meet the climate targets set by the Mayor of London and the boroughs.

You can find more information, including: What consumption-based emissions (CBE) are; Why boroughs should tackle CBE and the co-benefits they can expect; How CBE have evolved in the past 20 years and a summary of the largest sources of CBE in London, alongside examples of actions London boroughs can take to tackle CBE and where they can find support, on London Councils' website here. ( [link removed] )

LOTI jobs board

Looking for a new job in data, digital, technology and innovation? You can find a searchable summary of job opportunities across London government at the LOTI (London Office of Innovation and Technology) jobs board here ( [link removed] ) and sign up for email alerts to be notified of new job opportunities as they are posted.

( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

In the news this week...

Praise for more flexibility over right to buy receipts
LGC ( [link removed] )

Spending on temporary housing for homeless people soars by 25% in London
Sky News ( [link removed] )

London MPs warn locals of far-Right protest plots with four boroughs on 'list'
Evening Standard ( [link removed] )

Councils rally communities and tackle misinformation amid riots
LGC ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )
What topics are you interested in? Click here to let us know ( [link removed] )

Follow our socials 

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

or forward to a colleague [link removed]

London Local Government 
Directory

You can find contact details for every councillor in London in our London Government Directory here ( [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]