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Your weekly update of London local government issues

1 July 2020

Test and Trace

London boroughs are working closely with Public
Health England’s (PHE’s) Health Protection Teams to ensure the national Test and Trace programme operates effectively across the capital.       

The London Coronavirus Response Cell (LCRC) - a
multi-disciplinary team of public health specialists including doctors, nurses, scientists, specialists in health protection, disease surveillance and environmental health, as well as administration and operations support - has been working on Covid-19 related cases and situations since February 2020.       

PHE London has updated its ( [link removed] )coronavirus blog here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) with the latest information on how contact tracing complex cases through NHS Test and Trace service will work in practice.

Responding to media reports of increases in coronavirus cases in some London boroughs and elsewhere yesterday,  Professor Kevin Fenton, London Regional Director for Public Health England said: “The number of new cases of coronavirus is under close, active surveillance across the country and small fluctuations day by day are to be expected. The increases in some boroughs that have been reported are mainly sporadic and are being uncovered as we scale up testing and contact tracing activity across the city. 

"Importantly, the overall levels of coronavirus in London remain low and steady. We’re working closely with all local authorities to prepare for and manage any potential local clusters and outbreaks and our epidemiological analysis will play an important role identifying if there is a significant sustained increase in the community.

“As we carefully emerge from lockdown, it is important now more than ever that Londoners continue to follow government advice on social distancing, self-isolation, wearing face coverings, and practicing good hand hygiene, in order to keep the number of new cases in London on its way down. If you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste, stay at home and arrange a test immediately.”

Covid-19 financial impact APPG

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for London held its first ever virtual meeting last week. APPG Chair Sir Bob Neil MP was joined by MPs from all the main parties and London Councils Chair Cllr Peter John to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on London and what happens next. The meeting included a number of presentations on the impact of Covid-19 and London government, including from London Councils Director of Local Government Performance and Finance, Guy Ware, Strategic Lead: Enterprise, Economy and Skills, Dianna Neal and Strategic Lead: Housing and Planning; Elly Shepherd.

( [link removed] )You can watch a recording of the online meeting and presentations here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

London Climate Action week

Plans for  ( [link removed] )London Climate Action Week ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) have been divided into two separate parts this year, with a digital element this week (1-3 July) and a range of community events slated for November.

As part of the digital debate, London Councils is hosting a panel discussion on how London’s boroughs are working with partners across the capital to accelerate the green recovery.

The discussion will take place online on Thursday 2 July, 4-5pm, with Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee opening the discussion.

( [link removed] )Find out more and register to attend. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

LOTI online learning

The London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), in partnership with Microsoft, is today running the first of a series of virtual training sessions for digital apprentices in support of the pledge to offer at least 100 digital apprenticeships in LOTI member boroughs by September 2020.

The virtual learning sessions are an opportunity to support this cohort of future digital leaders to develop their professional careers and interpersonal skills.

( [link removed] )You can find out more about future sessions here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

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In the news...

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Jenrick ‘comprehensive plan’ likely this week as June returns show costs rising
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Drivetime with Eddie Nestor (schools and homelessness)
( [link removed] )BBC Sounds ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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‘Levelling up’: Moving civil servants is not the same thing as devolving power
( [link removed] )OnLondon ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Boroughs must wait for Covid-19 Freedom Pass savings
( [link removed] )TransportXtra ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Housing will be ‘central’ to post-coronavirus recovery, says Pincher
Inside Housing ( [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] )

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] )

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

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

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

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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] )

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