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Your weekly update of London local government issues

09 June 2021

Annual General Meeting

London Councils' ( [link removed] )Annual General Meeting (AGM) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) took place yesterday (08 June 2021).

Cllr Georgia Gould (Camden) was re-elected as Chair. Cllr Darren Rodwell (Barking & Dagenham) was re-elected as Deputy Chair. Cllr Teresa O'Neill OBE (Bexley), Cllr Ruth Dombey OBE (Sutton) and Catherine McGuinness (City of London) were re-elected as Vice Chairs.

A number of changes to Executive portfolios were agreed by Leaders.

Cllr Elizabeth Campbell (RB Kensington & Chelsea) will now lead on Business, Europe and Good Growth
(including high streets, lead liaison with wider South East, leisure, sport & culture).

Cllr Danny Thorpe (Greenwich) will now lead on Health & Care (including Adult Care Services).

Damian White (Havering) will now lead on Schools & Children’s Services (including Education, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding).

Mayor Damien Egan (Lewisham) was elected Chair of the Grants Committee.

Supporting London's Economic Recovery

The pandemic’s dramatic impact on London’s economy is worsening inequalities in the capital.

London’s economy contracted by 9.9 per cent in 2020 alone, and the capital has the UK’s highest rates of unemployed and furloughed staff.   

London’s economy has been scarred by the pandemic and assumptions that it will simply ‘bounce back’ are misplaced. Government investment is needed to support the capital’s most vulnerable individuals into employment and to foster new and innovative businesses.

The government recently announced two major funds to support economic development and recovery in the UK: the Levelling up Fund and the Community Renewal Fund, totaling over £5 billion.

London Councils is concerned that the funding allocation processes for these flagship investments in economic development put London at a disadvantage. A briefing highlighting these concerns was sent to London MPs this week. You can read the briefing in full here ( [link removed] ).

E-scooter trial is underway

E-scooters became available for rent in London this week as part of a trial initially launching in Canary Wharf, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Richmond, with Tower Hamlets acting as a 'ride through' area. More areas are expected to join throughout the summer.

E-scooters will be priced at between £3.25 and £3.40 for a 15-minute ride - and are only allowed to be ridden on roads, not pavements. Each operator will charge a fee to unlock as well as a per minute fee for each ride.

( [link removed] )Mayor Philip Glanville, Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: "The rental e-scooter trial has the potential to support our city-wide response to the coronavirus pandemic and boost London's green recovery. It will be important to see how this new service impacts London's existing transport network and carbon emissions and how inclusive it is of the travel needs of all Londoners - especially those on lower incomes.   

"Running the trial safely for all road users is vital. Boroughs will work with TfL, London Councils and operators to uphold the highest safety standards and take into account London's most vulnerable residents, such as people with visual impairments."

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In the news...

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London’s e-scooter trial will be as safe as possible, firm says
( [link removed] )The Independent ( [link removed] )

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Under-30s to be invited for Covid vaccine this week
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Cut of £40m in help for tenants will ‘drive up homelessness
( [link removed] )The Guardian ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Jenrick hints opportunity for remote meetings legislation if roadmap shifts
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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TfL issues 7,000 fines for direct vision standard failures
( [link removed] )Fleet Point ( [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] )read them all 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:

Covid-19: Guidance and support ( [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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