From London Councils <[email protected]>
Subject Your latest Key Issues from London Councils...
Date July 21, 2021 7:03 AM
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Your weekly update of London local government issues

21 July 2021

London and the next stage of our response to the virus

London boroughs are determined to keep supporting local communities and businesses as official restrictions are eased. That was the message from London Councils following confirmation that England was moving to step 4 of the roadmap from Monday 19 July.

( [link removed] )London Councils' Executive Member for Health and Care, Danny Thorpe ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: “This is not the end of the road, but the next stage of our response to the virus. Case rates are increasing across the country and people are still at risk of getting Covid-19 and ending up in hospital.

“Many shop workers, doctors, nurses and other NHS staff, TfL and council workers have been working throughout the pandemic, facing high levels of exposure to Covid-19. We all owe it to them to continue to protect their safety by wearing masks on buses, the tube, and wherever we are asked to do so. This will also include council buildings and facilities, as well as health settings.

“Our message to London is simple: keep it on for now, and help us to protect our staff, our public sector workers and each other.

“Getting vaccinated is key to protecting London in the long term. It is amazing that more than 9 million vaccines have been delivered in London but there is still work to do. Boroughs will continue our efforts alongside the NHS and volunteers to ensure no one is left behind and all Londoners get their jabs.

“We are also supporting PHE London and government in promoting testing and helping Londoners who face barriers to self-isolation if they test positive.”

New four year grants programme

London Councils’ ( [link removed] )Grants Committee ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) last week agreed to proceed with a call for proposals for a new four year pan-London grants programme, covering 2022 to 2026.

The current programme, which has invested £6 million a year since 2017 on combatting homelessness and tackling domestic and sexual abuse, is due to end in March next year.

London Councils is calling for proposals for a new four-year programme that aims to continue supporting London boroughs in their work to reduce homelessness, and domestic and sexual abuse.

( [link removed] )You can find out more (including how to apply) on our Grants webpages here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London local government committed to delivering net zero

A ( [link removed] )new report from the National Audit Office ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) (NAO) has highlighted the vital role that England's local authorities will have to play if the government is to achieve its ambitions to deliver 'net zero' carbon emissions by 2050.

The NAO report calls on government to clarify the role of local authorities in contributing to the UK’s statutory net zero target; and to ensure local authorities have the right resources and skills to achieve it.

The NAO's findings reflect "the frank reality that local government needs clear, consistent, supportive policies in order to take meaningful action to reach Net Zero targets", said ( [link removed] )Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Mayor Philip Glanville. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

“London boroughs are already championing and delivering green programmes from active travel to 100 per cent renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions", he added. "It is vital that government recognises that local authorities are an indispensable partner in achieving our national climate goals and this must be reflected in the government’s forthcoming Net Zero Strategy.”

London and inclusive growth

Following the ( [link removed] )Prime Minister's speech on levelling up last week, ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) where he outlined the government's aim to "build back better across the whole of the UK", ( [link removed] )London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said  “London is a dynamic global city which has a big role to play in the UK's economic recovery. But we also face huge challenges.  

"There are thousands of communities living in poverty in London, who face serious barriers to finding work such as lack of digital skills or difficulty accessing the labour market. The economic impact of Covid-19 has hit London hard - our unemployment rate is the highest of any UK region at 6.5 per cent.

“London boroughs look forward to working with Government on the ‘levelling up’ agenda, working with key business sectors to support inclusive growth and making sure we build a recovery for all Londoners.

“With our local knowledge, leadership and established relationships, councils are a valuable partner in making levelling up a reality for our residents and businesses."

Rough Sleeping Progamme Director

In a boost to ambitions to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2024, London Councils has announced the appointment of a ( [link removed] )Rough Sleeping Programme Director ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Michelle Binfield, who previously worked as Lead Commissioner for the Pan-London Rough Sleeper Substance Misuse Programme and Lambeth Council’s Associate Director for Commissioning (Public Health and Social Care), will start in August.

In her new role, which is based at London Councils and jointly funded by the London Housing Directors’ Group and the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), Michelle will work with London local authorities, the GLA, central government, health services, the voluntary sector, and others to build on the achievements made by working in partnership during the Covid-19 pandemic.   

Instagram

London Councils has added an Instagram account to its social media. You can follow us ( [link removed] )@londoncouncils ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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In the news...

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Eddie Nestor Drivetime: England moving to step 4 of the Government roadmap (Cllr Danny Thorpe from 1hr 23m, 20s)
BBC Sounds ( [link removed] )

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Vulnerable children and some teens to be offered Covid vaccine, says Nadhim Zahawi
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Dick Sorabji: Ministers must ensure social care funding rises at same rate as NHS
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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London Councils responds to the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and NAO’s Net Zero report
( [link removed] )London TV ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Al fresco dining to boost high street recovery
LocalGov ( [link removed] )

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London tops rankings for foreign investment
( [link removed] )City AM ( [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] )

PM statement at coronavirus press conference: 12 July 2021 ( [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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