How to better protect young Londoners from criminal exploitation through sharing information, best practice and the use of modern slavery powers will be on the agenda at the London Councils County Lines Summit later today.

Chaired by London Councils’ executive member for schools and children's services Cllr Nickie Aiken, the Summit will explore progress made by London boroughs in tackling County Lines working with partners across and outside of London.

The Summit follows a national police crackdown on County Lines earler this year and the successful prosecution of three drug dealers charged under the Modern Slavery Act.

The first global gathering of more than 270 cities that are accelerating their responses to HIV is taking place at the Barbican this week to hear from world-leading experts and share best practice for reducing HIV and other infectious diseases.

The Fast Track Cities 2019 conference takes place a week after Public Health England published data showing that new HIV diagnoses are at their lowest level since 2000, with London making especially good progress. Overall new diagnoses in London declined 42 per cent between 2015 and 2018 (from 2,585 down to 1,504).

Cllr Ray Puddifoot, London Councils’ executive member for health and care, said: “It’s fantastic that London is hosting the first Fast-Track Cities conference and that HIV experts from around the world will be visiting our city.

“Boroughs are proud that London is now recognised as a global leader in HIV prevention. Local authorities have played a crucial role in London’s success through our collaborative London HIV Prevention Programme, and we’re fully committed to achieving the goal of zero new HIV infections by 2030."

London Councils Executive met yesterday (Tuesday 10 September). Items on the agenda included: forward planning; recent developments in housing policy and the future of the London business rates retention pilot. The full agenda can be found here.

London Councils Grants Executive will meet tomorrow (Thursday 12 September). The Grants Executive agenda can be found here.