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Your weekly update of London local government issues

23 September 2020

New Covid-19 measures

( [link removed] )The Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced additional national measures to limit the spread of coronavirus. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

The new national restrictions are:

1. Office workers who can work from home are being asked to do so.
2. From Thursday, all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate table-service only, except for takeaways.
3. All hospitality venues must close at 10pm.
4. More people must wear face coverings - staff working in retail; all users of taxis and private hire vehicles; and staff and customers in indoor hospitality venues - except when seated at tables to eat or drink.
5. In retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors, government’s Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations.
6. From Monday, a maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions.
7. The rule of six is being extended to all adult indoor team sports.
8. Business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events will not be able to reopen from 1 October.
9. Stronger penalties for failing to adhere to government restrictions: a fine of up to £10,000 for businesses that break the rules and the penalty for failing to wear a mask or breaking the rule of six will now double to £200 for a first offence.

The Group Leaders of London Councils met with the Mayor of London and Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for Public Heath England, on Monday to examine the most recent data on Covid-19 infection rates in London.

The meeting agreed to ask the government to consider a range of potential measures to slow the spread of the virus and save Londoners lives.

This includes some new restrictions similar to those introduced in the north west and north east of England. London local government will be asking the government consider these as soon as possible to keep London safe

Should any additional measures be applied to London, these will be announced separately.

Business rates holiday

London Councils has joined forces with London business leaders and the Mayor of London in calling for the government to extend the business rates holiday, as the capital’s economy continues to struggle from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The current 100 per cent relief for businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors is due to end next March. As part of a joint submission to the government’s business rates review, the Mayor and London Councils are calling for an extension to the current business rates holiday to 2021/22.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Business, Europe and Good Growth, ( [link removed] )Cllr Clare Coghill ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Throughout the pandemic, London boroughs have supported their local businesses. Despite government’s welcome initiatives, many businesses remain fragile, still reeling from the long-term impacts of Covid-19.

“Ending the business rates holiday too soon will destabilise too many companies, leading to closures, job losses and a shrinking economy both in London and across the rest of the country.

“Looking at the bigger picture, it has been obvious for some time that the business rates system is not working. We believe fundamental reform, with greater local flexibility at its heart, is essential to driving economic growth in local areas and providing sustainable funding for local services.”  

Merton Leader to step down

London Borough of Merton Leader, ( [link removed] )Cllr Stephen Alambritis ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) has said that he will step down as Leader in November.

The council’s longest-serving leader (10 years), Cllr Alambritis will formally leave his post at the next meeting of the Council on 18 November, when a new Leader will be proposed for election.

Announcing his departure, Cllr Alambritis said: “It has been an incredible privilege to serve the borough I love for so long. There have been great times, and of course some difficult ones, but it has been an honour because Merton is my home, and my family’s home."

He will remain as a backbench councillor, representing the Ravensbury ward, which he has served since 2003.

Liberal Democrat Conference event

London Councils will host a virtual panel session at the Liberal Democrat Party conference on Monday 28 September.

The session, which begins at noon, will discuss how the capital can recover from the Covid-19 pandemic in a green and sustainable manner, and explore the risks and opportunities in London's green recovery from coronavirus.

The panel, which will be chaired by Cllr Ruth Dombey OBE, Vice Chair of London Councils and Leader, LB Sutton, will include: Cara Jenkinson, Cities Manager at Ashden; Cllr Manuel Abellan, Vice Chair of London Councils' Transport & Environment Committee; Caroline Pidgeon AM, London Assembly; and Judy Ling Wong OBE, Hon President of the Black Environment Network.

Registered members will be able to join the session via the conference portal.

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Rough sleeper charities call for government help to maintain Covid programme success
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Councils urged to combine employment support into homelessness services
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Winter plan leaves ‘much more to do’ on home care
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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] )

By the leaders blogs

We've been publishing a series of blogs by London borough leaders as the capital responds to the challenges of Covid-19. Recent blogs published include: Cllr Teresa O'Neill ( [link removed] ) (LB Bexley); Cllr Julian Bell ( [link removed] ) (LB Ealing); Cllr Rachael Robathan ( [link removed] ) (City of Westminster) and ( [link removed] )Cllr Jas Athwa ( [link removed] )l ( [link removed] ) (LB Redbridge)

( [link removed] )You can read all our leaders' blogs on the website here... ( [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] )

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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