Your weekly update on London local government. Problems viewing this? [link removed] Add to safe sender.

Your weekly update of London local government issues

16 March 2022

Ukrainian sponsorship scheme
Following the government's update on its Ukrainian sponsorship scheme ( [link removed] ), a London Councils spokesperson said: “Boroughs stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and we’re ready to play our part in welcoming refugees to the capital.

“London has a proud history of offering sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution. Boroughs have significant recent experience through the Afghan resettlement scheme and we’re in regular contact with the government regarding the resources and support boroughs need to accommodate new arrivals."

Bus Action Plan

In response to last week's announcement from TfL on their ( [link removed] )Bus Action Plan ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), the Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, ( [link removed] )Mayor Philip Glanville ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Buses are at the heart of London's public transport system, connecting communities all across the city, especially during Covid where they were a lifeline for so many. Boroughs stand ready to work with TfL and other partners in progressing this new bus action plan over the coming years. Not only are we responsible for 95% of London’s road network, but we are in a unique position to recognise the needs, aspirations and concerns of local communities across the capital.

“It is positive to see the new plan recognises the need to work with our diverse communities and prioritises keeping Londoners safe. We welcome it as a starting point to ensure a greener future for Londoners by providing sustainable, accessible travel alternatives to car journeys. However, we must also recognise the challenging context of the pandemic and the financial pressures this has caused. This is a vital opportunity to maintain and invest in a sustainable transport network that brings all Londoners on our journey to Net Zero.”

Southwark selects new Chief Executive
LB Southwark ( [link removed] )has announced ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) that it has appointed Althea Loderick to the post of Chief Executive. The appointment follows the announcement that Southwark's current Chief Executive, Eleanor Kelly, will retire this year, stepping down from the post she has held for a decade.

Southwark Leader Cllr Kieron Williams said: “I couldn’t be happier to welcome Althea to Southwark. Through the appointment process, her passion for Southwark, our values, and our ambitions shone through. I’m looking forward to working with Althea to deliver on all our promises to the people of Southwark.

“I'm also delighted to welcome Althea as Southwark Council's first Black Chief Executive. Our borough has one of the largest Black, Asian and minority ethnic populations in the country, and this appointment is another historic advance in our work to ensure that diversity is represented at all levels of decision making in Southwark."

The appointment is subject a formal decision by Council Assembly on 23 March.

Your Choice CBT programme
A new programme ( [link removed] ) centred on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is being delivered to 2,500 children and young people at greatest risk of violence in every London borough.

London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has secured £10m funding from the Home Office and the Youth Endowment Fund to deliver and evaluate the Your Choice programme, which is being managed by London boroughs through the ( [link removed] )London Innovation and Improvement Alliance ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) (LIIA) on behalf of the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services, and is being evaluated by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Anna Freud Centre.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Schools and Children’s Services, Cllr Damian White, said: “The young people in most need of therapeutic support are currently the least likely to receive it. The terrible impact of violence affecting young people is being felt in every single borough in the capital.

“Receiving funding from Home Office and YEF to deliver Your Choice demonstrates that this work is a national priority. Working with the VRU, borough children’s services are tailoring the programme so it reaches those in most need and really makes a difference across all of London’s communities.”

Share this...

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

or forward to a colleague [link removed]

In the news..

( [link removed] )

More people living in central London can help its recovery, argues new report
( [link removed] )OnLondon ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Study reveals two-thirds of homeless Londoners living in temporary accommodation are women
( [link removed] )City Matters ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

London prepares legion of housing officers to tackle rogue landlords
Landlord Zone ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Census delay could hit finance reforms
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

London schools ‘stand ready’ for pupils fleeing war
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Ukraine

To stay up to date with news and ways to support Ukraine and Ukrainians, useful websites include:

Ukrainian Institute London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )With Ukraine (fund set up by Ukrainian Embassy in UK) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )Support Ukraine Now ( [link removed] )
Covid-19 advice

Living with COVID-19
The government’s plan for removing the remaining legal restrictions while protecting people most vulnerable to COVID-19 and maintaining resilience ( [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] )

( [link removed] )

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] )

Unsubscribe from this newsletter [link removed]