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Your weekly London local government update

04 Sep 24

Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry: Phase 2 report to be published today

The Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 was a national tragedy that changed London forever and posed urgent questions about building safety in high-rise accommodation.

A public inquiry was launched to examine the causes of the fire and what happened during the emergency response.

The Phase 1 report, which focused on the factual narrative of the events on the night of 14 June 2017 was published on 30 October 2019. You can read the Phase1 report here. ( [link removed] )

Phase 2 of the Inquiry has examined the causes of these events, including how Grenfell Tower came to be in a condition which allowed the fire to spread in the way identified by Phase 1. The Phase 2 report is expected to be published on the official inquiry website at 11am today. ( [link removed] )

London Councils will respond to the Phase 2 report once it is published.

Household Support Fund extended to March 2025

On Monday, the government announced funding for an extension to the Household Support Fund to the end of March 2025.

Describing the announcement as “hugely welcome" news London Councils’ Executive Member for Communities, Cllr Anthony Okereke ( [link removed] ), said: “The life-changing impact of the fund is clear. In London, boroughs have used the fund to provide meals for thousands of children during school holidays, help low-income households pay for essentials such as gas bills or school uniforms, and open warm hubs to support residents struggling with heating costs.

“With so many Londoners still facing immense cost-of-living pressures, the extension of the Household Support Fund to March 2025 will boost boroughs’ ability to assist them through the winter months. 

“London boroughs will also continue to engage with the government over the future of local welfare provision, making the case for long-term funding that better enables us to help those residents at risk of financial hardship.”

Community Engagement

In spring 2023, London Councils and the Greater London Authority launched an initiative that provided grants to 13 London Boroughs to deliver innovative community engagement projects. Each project aimed to foster deeper connections with local communities, especially those experiencing post-pandemic challenges and the cost-of-living crisis.

Throughout the initiative, Neighbourly Lab has been working to bring together these diverse projects, troubleshooting challenges and spreading shared learning. This included facilitating a series of workshops and visits to see the projects in action and understand their community impact first-hand. They also provided one-on-one support sessions to help projects reflect on and refine their engagement strategies.

The insights and experiences gained will now inform and improve future community engagement efforts across London. You can read their report here ( [link removed] ).

Nicky Gavron

London Councils is saddened to hear of the death of Nicky Gavron, the first Deputy Mayor of London (from 2000 to 2003) and member of the London Assembly for more than 20 years. Described as one of the capital’s “unsung heroes”, she died on 30 August, aged 82.

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In the news this week...

DWP extends household support fund to help families struggling with cost of living
The Big Issue ( [link removed] )

Billions spent on cladding removal after Grenfell
BBC News ( [link removed] )

Think-tank calls for £6bn devolution to tackle economic inactivity
LocalGov ( [link removed] )

Government needs stable councils to achieve its missions
LGC ( [link removed] )

Coalition of English councils calls for emergency £644m to fund housing
The Guardian ( [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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