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

Your weekly update of London local government issues

3 June 2020

Freedom Pass 

London Councils has received clarification on restrictions on the use of Freedom Passes on the TfL network at busy times ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), announced as part of TfL’s financial support package from government.

The changes, which are to be introduced on Monday 15 June, will mean passengers with an Older Person’s Freedom Pass, 60+ Oyster photocard or English National Concessionary Scheme pass will not be able to use those passes during morning peak hours.

Older Person’s Freedom Pass, 60+ Oyster photocard or English National Concessionary Scheme passes will continue to be valid at all other times on weekdays and all day on weekends and Bank Holidays.

Passengers with a Disabled Freedom Pass are unaffected and will, as usual, still be able to travel at all times using their Freedom Pass, if they have to use public transport for their journey.

These temporary arrangements will help reduce the risk of crowding at the busiest times, which would make social distancing more difficult to maintain.

Sub-standard masks and fake hand sanitisers seized at Heathrow

London trading standards teams at Heathrow Airport have stopped 6.5 million sub-standard face masks and 8,000 counterfeit hand sanitisers coming through the airport since the pandemic started, according to data made available by London Trading Standards this week.

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, Leader of Hillingdon Council and London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Boroughs’ trading standards teams are on the frontline of London’s clampdown on sub-standard products that are supposed to help protect people from coronavirus.

“As these results show, dishonest businesses are seeking to exploit Covid-19 pressures by bringing in significant quantities of unsafe equipment – but we’re not standing for it.

“The checks carried out by trading standards officers at Heathrow and by local teams across the capital are crucial for identifying fake and sub-standard products, upholding the law, and keeping people safe.”

Local transport webinar

Centre for London are holding a webinar ( [link removed] ) tomorrow (Thursday 4 June) at 4pm to discuss challenges local transport face in a world after the Covid-19 pandemic.

With many Londoners choosing greener travel choices over the past three months and boroughs implementing emergency transport measures to support them, the webinar will explore how this could be beneficial to London’s environmental future.

The webinar will include findings of a new poll exploring changing attitudes to travel during the pandemic. Funded and sponsored by the London Environment Director’s Network (LEDNet) and supported by the London Technical Advisors Group (LoTAG), the poll was commissioned by Centre for London to explore the possible impact on the capital's transport network.

LEDNet vice chair Dipti Patel will be on the discussion panel and will be joined by other experts and leaders from the London transport sector.  

The webinar is free but you will need to register in advance to receive joining details ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Parking update

Parking and traffic management provides important benefits for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and communities throughout London. These include maintaining road safety and access to jobs, goods and services. 

London boroughs have responded to huge changes in demands and priorities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. This response has been invaluable in many ways, especially the flexibility provided to NHS staff, emergency services and care workers.

As restrictions are lifted there will be more demand for parking, particularly for those avoiding public transport. While this is necessary there must also be priority for individuals supporting the fight against Covid-19 and those who need parking most. The reintroduction of charges and enforcement may be necessary to support these individuals.

Road space must also be maintained for additional walking and cycling along with freight for essential deliveries and services.

Individual boroughs have different needs, so local action will be dependent on local circumstances. It is entirely for each council to decide what is best for their communities.

Government parking concessions for the NHS, health and social care workers and NHS Covid-19 volunteers still apply as these groups remain a priority for the limited parking available.

( [link removed] )

Share this...

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

or forward to a colleague [link removed]

( [link removed] )
Are you a care worker or care manager looking for work? Register with Proud to Care London ( [link removed] ) now and help save lives in the coronavirus crisis. 

In the news...

( [link removed] )

Cllr Peter John: Government needs strategy to fund councils through rest of the year
LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Cllr Muhammed Butt: Covid-19’s disproportionate impact must prompt action on inequalities
The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Full details of Government’s £1.6 billion TfL bailout revealed
Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

CIH joins calls for government action to avoid evictions spike
Inside Housing ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Confusion over legal responsibilities for ‘local lockdowns’
LGC ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Northern Covid-19 infection rate nearly double London's
Daily Telegraph ( [link removed] ) 

( [link removed] )

Ministers ‘must fund extra school travel costs’
TransportXtra ( [link removed] ) 

By the boroughs, for the community

A snapshot of some of the work boroughs are doing to support vulnerable people, improve lives and keep London going through the Covid-19 pandemic ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Leaders' Blogs

Read Kingston upon Thames council leader Cllr Caroline Kerr's blog post here ( [link removed] )

Coronavirus (Covid-19) latest information and advice

Please check these websites for the most up-to-date and accurate infomation regarding coronavirus and government, NHS and PHE advice:

Staying safe outside your home ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Information on UK government response to Coronavirus (Covid-19) ( [link removed] )

Read frequently asked questions about coronavirus on Public Health England’s blog ( [link removed] )

Guidance for employees, employers and businesses ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London Government Directory 2020

We're currently testing an updated version of the London Government Directory. Try it here and let us know what you think ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Sponsored by: London Communications Agency ( [link removed] )

and remember to follow us for all the breaking news...

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

Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues )

visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

London Councils fights for the best deal for our boroughs, develops policy and lobbies government on the issues
that matter for 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]