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Your weekly update of London local government issues

16 Feb 2022

Rising demand and costs putting pressure on SEN transport services
Writing in the MJ this week, London Councils Executive Member for Schools and Children’s Services Cllr Damian White, has warned that services for children with special educational needs (SEN) have reached a "pivotal point" as they face huge demand and cost pressures.

The introduction of the Children and Families Act in 2014, which made a number of crucial changes, including extending the age range of eligibility, led to many more children being identified with SEND and requiring vital support. These pressures are being felt critically in SEN transport services, which provide free travel for children with SEN who require assistance to get to school.

A London Councils survey of member boroughs at the end of last year revealed the cost of delivering SEN transport services across 28 local authorities has risen sharply (37%) since before the pandemic.

"We are calling on government to provide urgent funding to match the increase in demand and costs in SEN transport services", says Cllr White. "We are also keen to work with the government and boroughs to support the development of specialist provision at a local level, which would help to reduce journey times."

"With the publication of the government’s SEN review on the horizon, we now have a real opportunity to change the lives of huge numbers of children with SEN who require specialist provision."

Small Business Friendly Borough Awards 2022

Later today, the winner's of this year's Small Business Friendly Borough awards will be announced at a special event at the Guildhall, City of London.

Today's ceremony marks the sixth Small Business Friendly Borough awards, which have been running since 2013, delivered jointly by London Councils and the London region of the FSB.

The awards, which recognise boroughs that have gone above and beyond in supporting their local small businesses, will be presented by ( [link removed] )London Councils Executive Member for Business, Economy and Culture Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, ( [link removed] ) LEAP board member and small business owner Nita P. Wood, and FSB North London Area Lead David Clare.

Follow us on ( [link removed] )Twitter ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) and ( [link removed] )Instagram ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) for updates on the winners today.

Redbridge announces new chief

Barking and Dagenham Acting Chief Executive Claire Symonds has been appointed the new Chief Executive at London Borough of Redbridge, subject to council ratification.

She will be joining Redbridge at the end of May - replacing current Interim Chief Executive Lesley Seary who joined the council in April last year.

Director of Law, Governance and HR, Fiona Taylor will step up as Acting Chief Executive at Barking and Dagenham Council.

Leader's Committee

London Councils' Leaders' Committee met last week (8 February). Items on the agenda included: The London HIV Prevention Programme; Afghan Evacuation, Asylum Support and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children;  Newly enhanced sub regional working on tackling rough sleeping and London Councils' annual audit report.

The full agenda and related reports are available on our website here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Keep Testing to Keep London Safe

Keep testing for Covid-19 regularly to help ( [link removed] )#KeepLondonSafe ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ). You can ( [link removed] )order lateral flow tests online ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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In the news...

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Huge pressures facing transport for children with Special Educational Needs

( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Councils secure £174m funding for 'move on' homes for rough sleepers
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Councillors to be allowed on integrated care boards
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Disadvantaged young Londoners to have access to mentors by 2024
( [link removed] )Children & Young People Now ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Priti Patel’s search for new Met police chief could include overseas candidates

( [link removed] )The Guardian ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London Greener and Warmer Buildings Summit: Public Hour

The Mayor of London and London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould invite you to the ‘London Greener and Warmer Buildings Summit' - from 10am on Tuesday 22 Feb to hear more about Energy Efficiency in London and why it's vital to achieving Net Zero.

( [link removed] )Click here for more details and to register for the event ( [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] )

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] )

( [link removed] )You can now also follow London Councils  ( [link removed] )
on Instagram  ( [link removed] )

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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