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Your weekly London local government update

04 Dec 24

London Councils welcomes moves to reform local government finance

London Councils has welcomed the government's local government finance policy statement ( [link removed] ), in particular the steps being taken to reform the “fundamentally broken” funding system, including supporting services focused on prevention and moves to give more recognition to the impact of deprivation on local service pressures.

Responding to the statement last week, London Councils Chair, Cllr Claire Holland ( [link removed] ) said: “We have long called for simpler, fairer, and more predictable funding – and this policy statement takes us in the right direction. The extreme deprivation we sadly see in the capital is a significant factor in the pressures facing Londoners’ local services, and current funding arrangements do not adequately address this. It’s vital that housing costs are taken into account as part of the government’s new focus on targeting deprivation.

“After fourteen years of structural underfunding, fast-rising demand for services, and spiralling costs, we have been left in an extremely precarious position. London boroughs are in a grim financial situation and will still face a significant funding shortfall next year.

“We need to see borough finances put on a more stable footing so that we can continue to deliver services, put prevention at the heart of our work, and help drive inclusive growth in our communities. We look forward to working with the government on this crucial agenda in the run up to next year’s spending review and beyond.”

Borough backing for Climate Programme unlocks investment

A year on from London boroughs' decision to provide further support to the Climate Programme at London Councils to scale up delivery, the Climate Unit has published a 12 Month Impact Report outlining activity from the first year of the initial two-year funding period.

The report highlights that boroughs’ core investment has unlocked over £1.6 million co-investment and external funding into climate action.

You can read a summary of the first year of activity, profiling a wide variety of data, research, events, tools and policy we’ve built together to make progress on our collective climate goals here ( [link removed] ).

All of London’s local authorities have been involved in this work, alongside 104 external organisations.

Faster action to tackle unsafe cladding welcome news for London

London Councils has welcomed the launch of the government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan, ( [link removed] ) setting out measures for faster fixing of buildings in England with unsafe cladding.

Responding to the announcement on Monday, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, Cllr Grace Williams ( [link removed] ) said:  “Like the government, we want to see faster action in removing unsafe cladding and ensuring that all residents are safe – and feel safe – in their homes.

“This is a particular concern in London, where we have 67% of all the UK’s high-rise residential buildings. Although good progress has been made in removing unsafe cladding from council-owned blocks and taking action against the owners of private buildings, there remain immense challenges and much more work to do.

“Boroughs’ lack of resources are a critical factor holding back the enforcement and remediation we all want to see. We welcome the government’s commitment to investing in enforcement and look forward to seeing more details on this.”

Improving the employment and skills system is vital for the capital 

London Councils has welcomed the Get Britain Working white paper ( [link removed] ), published by the government last week

London Councils' Executive Member for Planning and Skills, Cllr Peter Mason ( [link removed] ), said: “We welcome the Government’s ambitions for improving the employment and skills system, which is vital for unlocking the potential of businesses and residents in the capital and boosting economic growth.

“Boroughs have a track-record of success in this area - our sub-regional partnerships have delivered the Work and Health Programme, helping thousands of Londoners with health conditions find employment. Greater devolution of employment and skills services, combined with long-term funding, will allow us to go even further.

"We are committed to delivering the four trailblazers in London and look forward to working with the government and Mayor of London to shape these reforms.”

By-election results 

A number of by-elections took place in London boroughs last week (Thursday 28 November).

In Barking and Dagenham, a by-election for two vacancies in the Village ward was won by Julia Williams (Lab) and Ajanta Deb-Roy (Lab). Full result here ( [link removed] ). In the borough's Northbury ward, the by-election was won by Val Masson (Lab). Full result here ( [link removed] ).

In Enfield's Jubilee ward, the by-election was won by Ian Barnes (Lab). Full result here. ( [link removed] )

In Islington's Junction ward, the by-election was won by James Potts (Lab). Full result here ( [link removed] ).

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In the news this week...

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The challenges facing London local government
BBC Politics London ( [link removed] )

Policy statement: Warning of further cuts to services
LGC ( [link removed] )

London Councils welcomes the Remediation Action Plan
London Post ( [link removed] )

London Councils lobbies for 
single settlement for capital
The MJ ( [link removed] )

Rental e-bike firms could face fines over blocked pavements
Wandswroth Times ( [link removed] )

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Former London Councils Chair Georgia Gould OBE MP has been named 'Londoner of the Year' in the NLA awards. The NLA is the cross sector membership organisation for London's built environment community.

You can read an interview with Georgia Gould following the award here ( [link removed] ).

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London Councils is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of London.
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