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Your weekly update of London local government issues

29 July 2020

Keep London Safe

BT Tower will project the message 'Keep London Safe', as a city-wide campaign to make Londoners aware of the importance of ( [link removed] )Covid-19 testing ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) in keeping the infection rate low in the capital launches today.

Led by London Councils working with the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation, and supported by Public Health England, the NHS, and Greater London Authority, the partnership campaign will span borough boundaries and address the challenges of London’s’ diversity, deprivation and density.

The Keep London Safe campaign has been developed to increase awareness and understanding of ( [link removed] )NHS Test and Trace ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), and with the backing of the Mayor of London will drive home public health messaging and make sure Londoners know how to get a test if they are showing Covid-19 symptoms.

London Councils Executive Member for Health and Care, Cllr Ray Puddifoot said: “London boroughs remain committed to protecting and supporting Londoners in this new phase of the fight against Covid-19. The Keep London Safe campaign is a vital part of our work. By sharing key public health information with all of our residents, including how to get tested, we aim to continue controlling the virus, help save lives and keep London’s economy moving."

Follow #KeepLondonSafe on Twitter and Instagram for further messages throughout the day.

Leaders set sights on green recovery

London borough leaders have signaled their ambition to deliver a green, sustainable and inclusive recovery from Covid-19 by unanimously agreeing ( [link removed] )eight proposals ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) for tackling the climate emergency and safeguarding London’s environmental future.

The proposals include improving the energy efficiency of London’s homes and public buildings, growing London’s green economy, working via the planning system to prioritise net zero developments and developing innovative funding and financing proposals to tackle the climate emergency.

( [link removed] )Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “London boroughs are committed to a green recovery from Covid-19 that faces up to the enormity of the climate emergency and the threat it poses if we do nothing. Now more than ever, we can see the health and environmental benefits of alternative travel and working practices for Londoners.

“It would be disastrous to let this opportunity to tackle the climate emergency pass by. By working together and building on these eight proposals, we can shape a healthier city, support local recovery and work to tackle inequality by providing green skills and jobs throughout London.”

Supporting London businesses

London's boroughs have distributed over £1.6 billion to more than 105,000 businesses across the capital since the government announced its business support measures at the start of April.

London businesses have received a higher share of available funding than those outside the capital (93.8 per cent share of funding paid so far in comparison to the England average of 87.2 per cent). 

Since the start of May, boroughs have also been distributing grants from the discretionary fund to deliver financial support for small businesses that have fallen through the cracks of the initial system. These are being administered quickly and fairly following guidance set by government. However, demand from London businesses is proving far greater than the additional funding available to boroughs. London Councils is currently undertaking a review of the discretionary grant scheme in London to better understand the additional support needed by local businesses.

There is still more to be done for businesses who do not fit the grant funding criteria set by government, especially those in the supply chain for hardest-hit sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure. In London, an increase to the rateable value threshold would ensure more London businesses are eligible for support.

We urge any small business who thinks they should be receiving grants to visit their local borough website for further information.

London Ventures

London Councils’ innovation programme, ( [link removed] )London Ventures ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), formally comes to a close at the end of August. The programme is keen to continue to share and promote as many of its innovations to local government as possible prior to its closure. These include:       

( [link removed] )AutonoMe ( [link removed] ): an app to promote independence in vulnerable users ( [link removed] )The PASSsystem ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ): a real-time case management system for care providers ( [link removed] )The Cornerstone Partnership ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ): virtual reality to support foster carers ( [link removed] )Xantura ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ): a single view of household risk through multi-agency data.      

London Ventures partners also support back end processes, including:

( [link removed] )Blue Prism ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ): intelligent automation to increase efficiency ( [link removed] )Fiscal ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ): helping reduce the risk of fraud through transaction checking ( [link removed] )Oxygen Finance ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ): protecting supply chains through early payments.

If you are interested in finding out more about how these
partners could help in your borough, please contact: ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A%20Venture%20options )[email protected] ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A%20Venture%20options ) ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A%20Venture%20options )

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In the news...

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Survey reveals second wave concern
The MJ ( [link removed] )

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More than 60 per cent of London firms plan to lay off staff, survey says
( [link removed] )City AM ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Ombudsman anticipates ‘significant’ rise in Covid complaints
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Government promises to prioritise scrapping no-fault evictions after pandemic
I ( [link removed] )nside Housing ( [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' blog..

Westminster Council Leader Cllr Rachael Robathan on what councils can do to help their businesses recover ( [link removed] )

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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%3A )

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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