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Your weekly update of London local government issues

4 November 2020

Supporting Londoners to keep London safe

Responding to the ( [link removed] )Prime Ministers' announcement of new national restrictions ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) from 5 November, London Councils' Chair Cllr Georgia Gould ( [link removed] ) said: "This is a difficult and worrying time for all Londoners - our communities, residents and businesses. Unfortunately we have seen rising cases and most seriously hospital admissions in many parts of the UK including London.  In light of this the new restrictions announced by the government are essential to keep all Londoners safe.

"The London boroughs stand together with Londoners in the fight against Covid-19. We will be working flat out over the coming weeks to ensure that those who need help in our  community have as much support as possible during this difficult time.

“We will continue to work with the Mayor and the government to attempt to balance the public health, economic and social impacts of this virus and we will continue to make the case for a comprehensive support package for residents, businesses and councils to enable people to stay safe and support our local economies.

"I know Londoners have already faced so much hardship and sacrifice and how hard it is to face more. But I have also seen the extraordinary way  communities have come together to take care of each other over the last few months and I hope we can continue to look after each other over a difficult winter.’

Investment in retrofitting makes sense

London boroughs are calling on the government to increase funding for councils to retrofit energy inefficient buildings to support new jobs, lower fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.  

Buildings are among the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, while London has among the highest fuel poverty rates in England. The ( [link removed] )Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Mayor Philip Glanville ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said the case for investment in London was a 'no-brainer'.

"Funding retrofitting projects brings immediate benefits to Londoners such as new jobs and lower fuel bills while also addressing the climate emergency and helping us reduce carbon emissions", he said.

“London boroughs are fully committed to the green recovery agenda and are putting significant resources into retrofitting. But in the face of both the economic and the climate crisis, ministers should seize the day and use the upcoming spending review to boost funding for this crucial work."

Keeping people off the streets

London Councils has called on government to support stretched local services to help keep rough sleepers off streets through the winter months.

London accounts for two thirds of all homelessness in England and London boroughs housed thousands of rough sleepers during the first wave of the pandemic. And with spending on emergency accommodation already expected to cost an extra £97 million in the capital, boroughs are braced for a rise in homelessness.

London Councils lead member for housing, Cllr Darren Rodwell said; "Local support services are already incredibly stretched and would struggle to cope with a spike in homelessness. The government needs to give councils the resources we require to support every homeless Londoner this year. Nobody must be left behind."

Brent named Council of the Year at LGC awards

Brent was named Council of the Year at the LGC awards last week ( [link removed] ). The judges praised the council for demonstrating  "how to convene place and communities" and said it had "impressed on multiple fronts".

Other London boroughs recognised in the awards include; Croydon (Digital Impact and Health and Social Care); Merton (Environmental Services) and Tower Hamlets (Public Health).

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In the news...

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Coronavirus: Transport for London secures emergency £1.8bn bailout
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London boroughs seek support for green retrofit work
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New shielding framework and cash support for lockdown unveiled

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Care directors warn of lockdown impact on homes
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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

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We've been publishing a series of blogs by London borough leaders as the capital responds to the challenges of Covid-19. You can read all our leaders' blogs on the website here... ( [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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