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Your weekly update of London local government issues

17 February 2021

Health and care white paper welcomed

The health and care white paper represents a key opportunity to deliver integrated services with a strengthened role for local authorities and better results for Londoners, according to London Councils.

( [link removed] )Cllr Damian White, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care, ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: “We’re pleased to see the government unveiling these proposals, which set out a road map for increased coordination of health and care provision while focusing on tackling inequalities and improving results. Across London, boroughs and our NHS colleagues are already making great strides on collaboration. The white paper has the potential to help these partnerships go further and faster.

“Local government must be an equal partner in this journey of reform. London boroughs look forward to working alongside the government and the health service on the next steps of this agenda."

Vaccine mythbuster packs for London schools

New learning materials are being distributed to schools across the capital to promote the Covid-19 vaccination programme and tackle vaccine scepticism.

( [link removed] )Developed by Hackney teachers with input from their pupils and public health professionals, ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) the materials are now distributed by London Councils to boroughs.

Research carried out by Hackney Council as part of the boroughs’ collaborative Keep London Safe campaign ( [link removed] ) shows that young Londoners are significantly more uncertain about the Covid-19 vaccine compared to older age groups.

Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils, said ( [link removed] ): “This initiative is a crucial part of our ongoing work to tackle misinformation and to help Londoners understand the importance of vaccination – which is key to keeping us all safe and eventually bringing this crisis to an end.

Cladding funding welcome but 'won't end crisis'

London Councils has described the housing secretary’s announcement of new funding to address the cladding crisis as “undoubtedly welcome”, although boroughs insist further government action on fire safety issues is still required.

( [link removed] )Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Planning, said ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ): “The question of how to fund the removal of unsafe cladding has been a pressing concern for many years. We have always been clear that extra resources are needed for remedial work in social housing and that leaseholders should not bear the burden resulting from a failed regulatory system either.

“This additional investment is undoubtedly welcome – but it isn’t enough to bring the cladding crisis to an end."

London Councils grants consultation

London Councils Leaders' Committee has agreed that a new four-year pan-London Grants programme should be established from April 2022.  Members of the committee recently began a consultation (closing on 26 February 2021) seeking views and feedback on the services to consider, under the following themes:

tackling homelessnesscombating sexual and domestic violence

You can find the full consultation here: ( [link removed] )Consultation – pan-London Grants Programme 2022-2026. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )  

Responses to the consultation will help London Councils shape recommendations for the new programme to the Grants Committee.

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In the news...

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London leads pandemic fightback
Evening Standard ( [link removed] )

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450,000 families ‘behind on rent because of Covid’
BBC News ( [link removed] )

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Hackney survey finds young people more likely to be ‘vaccine hesitant’
Hackney Gazette ( [link removed] )

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Children’s tsar – families should be at heart of MPs’ plans
The MJ ( [link removed] )

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Vaccines – the misinformation war
BBC Panorama ( [link removed] )

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Bexley Council capitalisation agreement (1 hour 25 mins)
BBC London Radio ( [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

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 advice:

National lockdown:
Stay at Home ( [link removed] )

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