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Your weekly London local government update

12 Nov 25

Budget must recognise London’s role in economic growth

The upcoming Budget must recognise London’s crucial role in supporting the government’s mission of economic growth, a cross-party group of MPs has heard.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for London, Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils ( [link removed] ), highlighted the capital’s £50bn fiscal surplus to the Treasury each year, enabling investment and benefiting communities across the entire UK.

Cllr Holland, said: “London is a crucial part of the national economic engine – and we want to make our full contribution to driving growth across the country. There is huge growth potential in the capital and boroughs are committed to playing our part, from supporting businesses in our local areas to grow and scale, to helping deliver new housing and infrastructure.

“At the same time, we are a city with severe challenges. We are held back by our housing and homelessness crises, which are in turn driving huge financial pressures for councils. The upcoming Budget must provide London with the tools and resources it needs to build new homes and turbocharge growth. That means investing in transport infrastructure in the capital, giving greater fiscal autonomy to London government, and restoring stability to borough budgets.”

The APPG is co-chaired by Florence Eshalomi MP, Lord Ranger of Northwood, and Munira Wilson MP.

London Councils’ priorities for the Budget can be found here. ( [link removed] )

Net Zero Neighbourhoods

London Councils has unveiled a bold new proposal to transform how the capital delivers retrofit through a London Net Zero Neighbourhood (NZN) Programme.

The proposal, formally launched on Monday at the London Conference – Centre for London’s flagship annual event bringing together city leaders, policymakers and business – mark a major step forward in London’s efforts to cut carbon and reduce energy bills.

Mayor Brenda Dacres OBE, London Councils’ Executive Member for Transport and Environment ( [link removed] ) said: “The London Net Zero Neighbourhood Programme presents an exciting opportunity to accelerate our retrofit ambitions in the capital and lower Londoners’ energy bills.

“Too many people are struggling in cold, expensive-to-heat homes, while the threat posed by the climate crisis continues to grow. Through the Net Zero Neighbourhood Programme, boroughs are showing a clear path to retrofit that is fair, affordable and delivered in partnership with our communities - with no upfront cost to residents.

“With suitable backing from government, alongside private investment, we can ensure the current system works better for all Londoners and delivers good-quality homes which are cheaper and greener to heat.”

Bexley: New Leader 

Councillor Baroness O’Neill OBE formally stepped down as Leader of the Council, and Cllr David Leaf ( [link removed] ) was elected as the new Leader at Bexley's full council meeting last week.

Councillor Baroness O'Neill OBE had previously announced her decision to stand down after 17 years as Leader of the Council to concentrate on her work in the House of Lords. Her tenure makes her the longest serving Leader in Bexley's history and one of the longest serving in London. She was Vice Chair of London Councils from 2010 - 2022.

London Councils' Executive

London Councils' Executive met yesterday and you download the agenda and related documents here ( [link removed] ).

London Councils' Executive is a 12-member cross-party group that focuses on high-level decision-making, policy formulation, financial oversight, and overall organisational management.

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 Wandsworth, where the council’s School Streets scheme, which involves temporarily closing roads near school entrances to motor traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, is reducing pollution and helping to create a safer and more welcoming environment for children.

You can read the case study in full on our LinkedIn page ( [link removed] ) and all of our prevention case studies here ( [link removed] ).

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In the news this week...

Why new deprivation data could reshape fair funding
LGC ( [link removed] )
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London Councils launch proposal to retrofit 20,000 homes
The Intermediary ( [link removed] )
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Is London’s council tax system fair?
The Londoner ( [link removed] )
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Tourism levy ‘could restore London’s finances’
LGC ( [link removed] )
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London seven times more reliant on temporary housing than rest of UK as homelessness soars
The Standard ( [link removed] )
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Government defends reform of children’s services formula
Room 151 ( [link removed] )
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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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London Councils is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of London.
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