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Your weekly update of London local government issues

21 October 2020

London's Covid alert level moved to 'High'

Following a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in London, the capital was moved into the High level of alert last week, with new tier 2 restrictions coming into force across the capital from midnight on Friday 16 October.

Boroughs are working with their communities, business and the police to engage, educate, explain, and if necessary enforce restrictions and regulations.

A key element of the new restrictions is that we must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless we live with them or they are part of a  support bubble.

Further information about the new restrictions, including information about which business can remain open and childcare are available here ( [link removed] ).

( [link removed] )London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: “The London boroughs stand together with Londoners in the fight against Covid-19, and we are working together with the Mayor and the government to balance the public health, economic and social impacts of this virus. London Councils and the Mayor are asking the government for economic support for London’s businesses and the boroughs to ensure that these new measures are a success.

“Now is the time to pull together to beat the virus so that ultimately we can get our city working again and back to its creative and energetic self as soon as possible."

New Chair sets out her priorities

Following her election as the new Chair of London Councils at ( [link removed] )last week's Leaders' Committee ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), Cllr Georgia Gould said her top three priorities are coronavirus, council finances and London’s social and economic recovery.

“ ( [link removed] )I can’t think of a time when local leadership has been more important in the capital ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )", she said. "With London’s coronavirus rates rising and the economic and social impact of the pandemic affecting so many Londoners, it’s vital that London boroughs pull together to protect and support our communities and struggling businesses, and make our voices heard at a regional and national level.

“With London boroughs collectively facing a funding gap of up to £1 billion this year ( [link removed] ) alone due to our unprecedented coronavirus response and existing budget pressures, ensuring councils have the financial resources and stability to support communities through this challenging period is critical.

“Even as we take action to deal with the pandemic, as Leaders we must also look to London’s future. The pandemic has starkly exposed the deep inequalities in our communities, and to truly recover from it, we need to build a fairer society and economy, and a more sustainable and caring city. There is no challenge London faces that is beyond the creativity and capacity of Londoners to fix, and as Chair, I will be proud to work alongside Leaders and the Mayor to harness our shared energy to build back better in the months and years to come.”

Improving London's air quality

A range of ( [link removed] )policy measures to improve air quality ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) in the capital are being backed by London Councils.

The organisation is calling on government to make the World Health Organization (WHO) target for PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) a legal limit, to be met no later than 2030 and introduced as soon as is possible.

Other measures being backed include additional regulatory powers for local authorities to control emissions; a review of fuel duty and other relevant taxes to align with better air quality and environmental priorities; and a national Clean Air Fund to enable cities to implement Clean Air Zones and tackle emissions,

Polling to coincide with Clean Air Day 2020 found that 43 per cent of Londoners said poor air quality in the capital had had a negative effect on their own health.

Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Cllr Claire Holland, said: “London’s air quality continues to be a major public health issue. It is imperative we listen to Londoners and do not emerge from the Coronavirus public health crisis only to face a different crisis resulting from London’s toxic air pollution.”

Hillingdon Leader announces intention to stand down in New Year

London's longest serving council leader ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )Cllr Sir Ray Puddifoot MBE ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) has announced that he will be resigning as Leader of the Council in the New Year.

Cllr Puddifoot said: "It has been both an honour and a privilege to serve as Leader of Hillingdon Council, which is now recognised as one of the best councils in the country.

"However having, for family reasons, made the decision that I would not stand again for election as a councillor in May 2022, I will formally leave office at the Council  Meeting on Thursday 14 January 2021, when a new leader will be elected."

Ray Puddifoot was first elected as a councillor in Hillingdon in 1998 and became Leader two years later. He served as a member of London Councils' Executive Committee for six years as Portfolio Lead for Health and Care. 

He was appointed MBE in 2012 for services to the community and was awarded a Knighthood in 2019.

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In the news...

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London's West End restaurants and bars issue dire warning after 'horrendous' first weekend of Tier 2 restrictions
( London's West End restaurants and bars issue dire warning after 'horrendous' first weekend of Tier 2 restrictions?campaignkw=Standard01 )Evening Standard ( London's West End restaurants and bars issue dire warning after 'horrendous' first weekend of Tier 2 restrictions?campaignkw=Standard01 ) ( London's West End restaurants and bars issue dire warning after 'horrendous' first weekend of Tier 2 restrictions?campaignkw=Standard01 )

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TfL funding extended two weeks as talks continue with Government
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London CIV launches global equity core fund
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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 Ruth Dombey ( [link removed] ) (LB Sutton); Cllr Teresa O'Neill ( [link removed] ) (LB Bexley); Cllr Julian Bell ( [link removed] ) (LB Ealing) and Cllr Rachael Robathan ( [link removed] ) (City of Westminster)

( [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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