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Your weekly update of London local government issues

27 Oct 2021

Spending Review

The Chancellor of the Exchequer will later today deliver the second Budget of 2021 and reveal the outcome of the government's Spending Review, which details how government will fund public services for the next three years.

London Councils is urging extra investment in local services to boost economic recovery and level up the country.

( [link removed] )Chair of London Councils, Cllr Georgia Gould ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “The Chancellor needs to recognise that councils have played a vital role in responding to the Covid-19 crisis and their local services are equally important for securing economic recovery.

“London has been hit hard by the pandemic and we share the government’s determination to build back better. By giving boroughs enough resources to drive green and inclusive growth, the government will make faster progress on many of its top priorities – including tackling the  ( [link removed] )jobs crisis ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) and spreading opportunity to disadvantaged communities.

“The tough fiscal climate only strengthens the case for investing strategically and putting down payments on future economic growth across the UK. Supporting London and its local services is an integral part of this.”

In its submission to the Spending Review, London Councils highlighted the following recovery priorities:

Levelling up opportunity, particularly for young LondonersSupporting a green recovery, so that London can lead the transition to net zeroUnlocking housing through infrastructure as part of the plan for growthAdvancing Global Britain by supporting Global LondonEnsuring strong and innovative local public services.

( [link removed] )You can read a summary of our submission here ( [link removed] )

Ahead of the Spending Review, ( [link removed] )a report issued by Central London Forward (CLF) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), which represents the 12 central councils, argues that investing in infrastructure will be vital both to supporting the transition to net zero and adapting to the threats posed by climate change.

Chair of CLF and leader of Kensington and Chelsea council Cllr Elizabeth Campbell said: “We are ready to work with government to ensure we can deliver the infrastructure our city needs.”

Last week the co-chairs of the cross-party  APPG for London wrote an ( [link removed] )open letter ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) in the Evening Standard calling on the government to give London the funding and flexibilities necessary to secure the post-pandemic economic recovery.

UKCIC report highlights £500 billion green investment opportunity  

A ( [link removed] )new report for the UK Cities Climate Investment Commission (UKCCIC) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) calls for ‘place-based demonstrators’ or neighbourhood pilots where green investment opportunities can be gathered together as a package, stating that this will attract returns in the form of savings, additional revenue streams and other social and environmental benefits.

The report finds that investing in net zero projects such as solar panels, building retrofit and electric vehicle charging points across the eleven Core Cities and London will create a £500 billion investment opportunity.

The UKCCIC is a partnership between Connected Places Catapult, Core Cities UK and London Councils and aims to explore new ways of helping UK cities reach their net zero targets. Together, London Councils and the Core Cities represent almost half of the UK population.

The report will be showcased to international investors at COP 26 in Glasgow (see sidebar).

Retrofit London

London Councils yesterday (Tuesday 26 October) hosted an online webinar to launch Retrofit London, one of London Councils’ flagship ( [link removed] )climate change programmes ( [link removed] ). Retrofit London is led by the London boroughs of Enfield and Waltham Forest, together with support from the London Housing Directors’ Group, BEIS, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, GLA, G15, London First and others.

The launch event set out how the ( [link removed] )Retrofit London Housing Action Plan ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) can meet our ambitious goal to get all homes in London to an average of EPC B by 2030, and discussing some of the major challenges with key partners

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New Kingston Leader 

Cllr Caroline Kerr has stood down as Leader of Kingston upon Thames Council.

Announcing her decision last week, Cllr Kerr said: "It is now time for new leadership to take the borough and the Liberal Democrat Group on the next phase of its journey. It has been a huge honour to lead the royal borough and this is not a decision I have taken lightly. I am extremely proud of the work of the Liberal Democrat council in serving the people of Kingston, particularly in these most challenging times.”

A meeting of the Lib Dem group on Sunday (24 October) elected Cllr Andreas Kirsch as the new Leader of the Council.

Leader of the Year

Camden Leader Cllr Georgia Gould and Westminster Leader Cllr Rachael Robathan have both been named on the shortlist for the Leader of the Year award at ( [link removed] )LGIU Councillor Awards 2021 ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Other London nominees include: (Community Champion shortlist) Cllr Scott Farley, LB Hillingdon and Cllr Aled Richards-Jones, LB Wandsworth (Environment and Sustainability Pioneer shortlist) Cllr Mike Hakata, LB Haringey and Cllr Johnny Thalassites, RB Kensington and Chelsea (Innovation and Service Transformation shortlist) Cllr Paul Bell, LB Lewisham and Cllr Margaret McLennan, LB Brent (Young Councillor of the Year shortlst) Cllr Peymana Assad, LB Harrow and Cllr Adam Jogee, LB Haringey. Cllr Sheila Peacock, LB Haringey, has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Hundreds in Housing First programme at ‘serious risk’ of returning to streets if funding stopped
( [link removed] )Inside Housing ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021.

( [link removed] )You can stay up to date with events and latest news throughout the conference here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London Councils is working in partnership with Core Cities UK and Connected Cities Catapult to promote the Cities Climate Investment Commission at COP26. See event details below:

( [link removed] )3 November, 10:00 – 11:30 Investing to Achieve Net Zero ICLEI Pavilion ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )3 November, 16:00 – 17:30 Investing to Achieve Net Zero  ( [link removed] )

11 November, 16:00 – 17:30 Enabling Net Zero investment, including political declaration
signing ceremony (Technology Innovation Centre) ( [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] )

Guidance for employees, employers and businesses ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

The official UK government website for data and insights on coronavirus: Daily summary ( [link removed] )

and remember to follow us for all the breaking news...

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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
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