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Your weekly London local government update

17 Sep 25

Liberal Democrat Conference

The Liberal Democrat Party Conference will be taking place in Bournemouth, 20-23 September 2025.

Attendees are welcome to join us on Monday 22 September, 11.30-12.30pm in the Bryanston Suite, Highcliffe Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth (outside the secure zone), to discuss the topic: Capital Punishment: How can we get national government to love London again?

Speakers at the event will include:

Cllr Gareth Roberts, Vice Chair of London Councils (Chair)Hina Bokhari AM, London Assembly MemberDave Hill, Founder and Editor – On LondonMichael McVicker, Head of Local Government Finance – London CouncilsBobby Dean, MP for Carshalton and Wallington

London Councils will also be holding events at the upcoming Labour Party Conference (Liverpool) and Conservative Party Conference (Manchester).

You can find more details of all our conference events here ( [link removed] )

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Illegally modified e-bikes warning

London Councils Executive Member for Transport and Environment  Mayor Brenda Dacres OBE, has urged action to protect the public from the dangers posed by illegally modified e-bikes.

“Illegally modified e-bikes can be dangerous for both riders and the public", she said. "This risk grows with poor-quality parts or lithium-ion batteries. This also raises the risk of fire, especially in high-rise buildings. It’s still too easy to buy illegal vehicles and kits online. This includes private e-scooters, off-road bikes, and modification kits that can’t be used on public roads.   

“Boroughs do not have adequate powers or resources to deal with this growing problem. Enforcement costs a lot and takes time. It often falls outside our role, so we depend on the police and delivery companies to help. Delivery platforms must be more responsible for the safety, and behaviour of riders using their apps.   

“We need to do more to raise public awareness of what is legal and safe, and what isn’t. Stronger consumer protections, better legislation, and tighter quality controls are essential. This issue needs quick teamwork at local, regional, and national levels. We must protect the public and tackle the risks from unsafe and illegal vehicles.”   

London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) met at our Arthur Street offices last week (11 September).

You can read the agenda and related papers in full here ( [link removed] ).

Case studies in prevention

To celebrate 60 years of the London boroughs, each week, London Councils is sharing prevention case studies highlighting how preventative action by London boroughs is helping to save money and improve the lives of their residents.

This week, our case study is from the London Borough of Merton, where a close partnership between the local authority, police, and community organisations, is engaging with youth workers to divert children and young people away from crime

You can read  LB Merton's case study in full on our LinkedIn page here. ( [link removed] )

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In the news this week...

Reed commits to devo bill, LGR and fair funding
LGC ( [link removed] )

Warmer Homes London: A blueprint for greener, healthier, and fairer communities
The MJ ( [link removed] )

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Reshuffle at a pivotal time – but will ministers engage?

The MJ ( [link removed] )
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Dodgy e-bikes should come with cigarette-style health warnings, say London transport chiefs
The Standard ( [link removed] )
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Congratulations to the two London councils named as winners in the Green Awards UK 2025 ( [link removed] ). LB Sutton’s work with Sutton Business Improvement District (Successful Sutton) and Green Mark has been named as winner in the Green Collaboration category, and the City of London Corporation have been named as the Green Public Sector Organisation of the Year.

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London Local Government 
Directory

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

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Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A )

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visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [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.
London Councils, 4th Floor, 12 Arthur Street, London, EC4R 9AB

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