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Your weekly update of London local government issues

8 July 2020

Funding doesn't reflect 'tough realities'

On Friday (2 July) the ( [link removed] )Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) announced a 'comprehensive new funding package for councils to help address coronavirus pressures and cover lost income during the pandemic', with an additional £500 million of funding in England.

Responding to the announcement, ( [link removed] )London Councils Chair Cllr Peter John ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said the funding was "another short-term stopgap solution rather than the comprehensive package that was promised."

"It does not reflect the tough financial realities facing London local government", he said, "Where the funding gap is already £360 million since March and is expected to rise to £1.4 billion over the whole year."

“To keep vital local services running, it is clear that we need to continue our work with government to ensure they fully recognise the scale of the financial challenges London boroughs and councils across the country are grappling with."

Call to boost London house building

Ahead of the expected statement from chancellor Rishi Sunak later today, London Councils is supporting calls for a major boost to affordable housing in the capital.

Together with sector leaders on City Hall’s Covid-19 Housing Delivery Taskforce, London Councils Executive Member for Housing and Planning Cllr Darren Rodwell said: “Emergency funding in affordable house building in the capital would bring a major boost to the economy and help address the homelessness crisis, which is worse in London than anywhere else in the country.”

“London boroughs have long called for more powers and resources to address the chronic shortage of affordable housing. In the face of the massive economic challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, this is a crucial opportunity for the government to work with us in protecting construction jobs, increasing housebuilding capacity, and delivering the affordable homes that Londoners need."

Green Recovery panel 

London Councils last week hosted an online panel discussion on London boroughs' work with partners across the capital to accelerate the green recovery. With presentations from a wide range of contributors, including: Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee; Jordan Cummins, Senior Associate Director & Head of London Policy, Confederation of British Industry;
Afsheen Rashid, Co-Founder Director and CEO, Repowering; and Kas Mohammed, VP Digital Energy, Schneider Electric.

Around 200 people joined the live online session. If you missed it, you can ( Cllr Claire Holland?campaignkw=GreenRecoveryRecorded )watch a recorded version here ( Cllr Claire Holland?campaignkw=GreenRecoveryRecorded ).

Tackling knife-related violence 

The London Ventures programme is holding ( [link removed] )a series of virtual workshops ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) to share borough experiences and best practice in tackling knife-related violence in London. The workshops will explore the possibilities and benefits of using innovative technology, such as data analytics, intelligent automation and virtual reality in creating innovation solutions to reducing knife-related violence, hearing from technology experts across the sector.

The workshops will build on the ( [link removed] )co-working event ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) hosted by London Ventures on 4 June, chaired by Director of the Violence Reduction Unit, Lib Peck.

If your borough would like to get involved or find out more contact: ( [email protected]?subject=Knife-crime%20workshops%20(Key%20Issues) )[email protected] ( [email protected]?subject=Knife-crime%20workshops%20(Key%20Issues) ) ( [email protected]?subject=Knife-crime%20workshops%20(Key%20Issues) )

Remembering 7/7

On the 7th July 2005, 52 people from 18 different nationalities died in London in a series of terrorist attacks that targeted commuters travelling to work in the morning rush hour.

Westminster Council Leader Cllr Rachael Robathan ( [link removed] ) yesterday laid a wreath at the 7/7 Memorial in Hyde Park to mark the anniversary on behalf of London Councils and the City of London.

With Covid-19 restrictions making a fully attended memorial service more difficult this year, a number of bereaved family members and survivors came together to produce a ( [link removed] )short film that you can watch here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

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In the news...

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Boris Johnson lays floral tribute for 7/7 victims as he says London will 'never forget' on 15th anniversary of terror
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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London needs a homebuilding kickstart package, with social housing at its heart
( [link removed] )CityAM ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Councils react to Government’s £500m support package
( [link removed] )PSE ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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CBI backs 'turbo charged' devolution
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [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

You can read Haringey Council Leader Cllr Joseph Ejiofor'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] )

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

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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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