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Your weekly update of London local government issues

16 December 2020

London moved to tier 3 local restrictions

Following the ( [link removed] )Health Secretary's announcement on Monday ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), Greater London has moved into tier 3 (very high alert) local restrictions as of today.

While recognising that this is going to be very tough for all Londoners, London Councils supports the Secretary of State’s decision as the only available option to stop the spread of the virus in London and protect the NHS and save lives.

To help London prevent the spread of the virus and rise to the challenge we are asking government to:

1. Increase support to people on low income who might have to self-isolate

2. An emergency support package for the hospitality industry and cultural sector

3. Support London local government by significantly increasing mass targeted testing in our communities.

As mass targeted testing is rolled out to Londoners, boroughs will initially have to draw staff away from some services, so residents will notice some services which have returned since lockdown closing or limiting their services again. We ask everyone to bear with us through this period and get tested when this is made available to them.

Londoners have come together throughout the last year to provide each other with support and we will continue to do so. The vaccine is being rolled out by the NHS and there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, we must all continue to support the NHS as it does this vital task by sticking to the rules, not making unnecessary journeys, shopping very safely this Christmas - and by getting ourselves tested and self-isolating, to protect ourselves, families, friends and communities.

Homelessness approaching 'worst ever' levels in London

With homelessness pressures in the capital approaching their “worst-ever levels”, London boroughs are urging a rethink of national policy if the government is to have any hope of meeting its homelessness reduction targets.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell ( [link removed] ), said: “It’s hugely distressing to see homelessness in London approaching its worst-ever levels.  

“With almost 90,000 children in the capital living in homeless households and set to spend Christmas in temporary accommodation, it’s obvious we can’t go on like this."

Among the measures needed to reduce record homelessness in the capital, London Councils is calling on the government to improve the welfare system’s ability to prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place; confirm long-term funding arrangements for sustainable local homelessness services; and boost councils’ resources for building social housing.

London Councils has provided a briefing to all London MPs ahead of today's ( [link removed] )Westminster Hall debate ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) on support for the homeless during the winter months, moved by former Westminster Council Leader, Nickie Aiken MP.

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Fast Track to end HIV 

In 2018, London Councils, along with the Mayor of London, Public Health England and NHS England, signed up to the Fast Track Cities initiative committed to working together to: end new HIV infections in the capital by 2030; put a stop to HIV-related stigma and discrimination; stop preventable deaths from HIV-related causes, and work to improve the health, quality of life and well-being of people living with HIV across the capital.

You can keep up-to-date with the work to eliminate HIV in the capital on the new ( [link removed] )Fast Track Cities London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) website launched week.

Cllr Damian White, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care, said: "In recent years, London has made excellent progress in reducing HIV rates. We’re as determined as ever to maintain this momentum and to achieve our target of zero new diagnoses by 2030.”

Hillingdon Conservative Group elects new Leader

( [link removed] )Cllr Ian Edwards ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) was elected the new Leader of Hillingdon Conservative Group at an extraordinary group meeting on Monday. ( [link removed] )Hillingdon Leader Sir Ray Puddifoot OBE ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) announced in November his intention to stand down after more than 20 years at the helm of the west London council. Cllr Edwards is expected to be elected new Leader of the Council at the next full meeting of the council in January 2021.

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In the news...

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Drivetime with Eddie Nestor: Cllr Gould on moving into tier 3 (from 2hrs 28m)

( [link removed] )BBC Sounds ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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London Councils responds to rising cases in London
( [link removed] )London TV ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Nearly 90,000 children set to spend Christmas in temporary housing, warns London Councils
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Phil Glanville: Government and business must see councils as climate change partners
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Call to remove care home 'barriers'
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Energy White Paper: key housing announcements at a glance
( [link removed] )Inside 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] )

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.  ( [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:

What you can and cannot do in an area of Tier 3 (very high alert) local restrictions ( [link removed] )

Government guidance for the Christmas period ( [link removed] )

Staying safe outside your home ( [link removed] ) ( [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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