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

Your weekly update of London local government issues

7 Sep 2022

'No time to waste' -  boroughs ready to work with new Prime Minister 

London Councils says the arrival of a new Prime Minister is a crucial opportunity for “strengthened partnership and policy focus” on the immense challenges the country faces.

The cross-party group welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to supporting the capital and recognition of London’s pivotal role in the levelling up agenda. 

Boroughs also highlight the urgent need to help low-income households through worsening cost-of-living pressures and to ensure financial stability for the local public services London’s communities rely on. 

Chair of London Councils, Cllr Georgia Gould, said: “Boroughs stand ready to work with the new Prime Minister - and there is certainly no time to waste.

“During the leadership contest, we were pleased to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge London’s pressures and speak enthusiastically about the capital’s contribution to the UK’s future.

“Like the rest of the country, London is struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing inflation. Low-income households are under massive strain and public services are seeing their budgets squeezed dramatically. 

“Central government and local authorities must work together on these issues. From the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine through to reducing rough sleeping, London boroughs and the government have built effective partnerships in recent years and made impressive progress on our shared goals. 

“We’re determined to see this continue under the new Prime Minister and the government she leads. With strengthened partnership and policy focus between all levels of government, we will all be better placed to deliver for our communities.”

The ( [link removed] )Rt Hon Simon Clarke MP ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) was last night appointed as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Rough Sleeping Strategy welcome

London Councils has welcomed the publication of the government’s ( [link removed] )Rough Sleeping Strategy ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) and the accompanying funding announcement.

( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Progress is being made on reducing rough sleeping in the capital, and boroughs are determined to play our part in ending it altogether. This strategy and funding boost put our work on a much firmer footing and will make a real difference.

“Tackling rough sleeping requires a range of policy measures, as well as close partnerships between different agencies and long-term funding commitments for the frontline services keeping people off the streets.

“Boroughs hope a similar approach of partnership between central and local government and additional resources for services can be developed for ending other forms of homelessness – especially the huge number of Londoners living in temporary accommodation.”

While the Rough Sleeper Strategy is welcome however, London Coiuncils has raised serious concerns over proposed changes to the Homelessness Prevention Grant, which provides the main source of funding for local authorities to tackle and prevent homelessness.

Responding to a recent consultation on the changes, London Councils stated that the two options outlined in the consultation would both result in reduced resources for the capital from 2023 onwards – despite London having by far the highest homelessness rates in the country. ( [link removed] )Read the full story here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Career Fair: Come and work in the homelessness sector

If you are potentially interested in a career in the homelessness sector, you are invited to attend a London-wide careers fair at the new City Hall on 27 September (between 3pm and 7pm).

Help is needed before this winter as multiple providers in the homelessness services sector are ramping up hiring, particularly for client-facing roles in street outreach and hostels (shelters).

The career fair will feature multiple homelessness sector service providers and enable you to learn learn more about working in the sector and current vacancies.

The London Career Fair is jointly organised by London Councils, Homelessness Link and Bloomberg Associates,

( [link removed] )You can register to attend the London Career Fair her ( [link removed] )e.

( [link removed] )

Age-friendly councillors roundtable

The Centre for Ageing Better will host an online Age-friendly councillors roundtable tomorrow (8 September). The event is aimed at councillors keen to explore how councils can foster an age-friendly approach in their communities. ( [link removed] )Members can register for the (free) event here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Share this...

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

or forward to a colleague [link removed]

In the news..

( [link removed] )

‘No time to lose’ to help millions of families, incoming Prime Minister told
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Graeme McDonald: New PM should make investing in local government a priority
LGC ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Homelessness spike threat as private rents soar even higher - claim
( [link removed] )LettingAgentToday ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

London boroughs face £50m cut in homelessness funding
Room151 ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Councils should have encouraged more cycling post-pandemic, AA says
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )

Analysis: Why so many Afghan refugees are still stuck in hotels
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )
On Monday (05 Sep) the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee ( [link removed] ) held its first session examining the Government's proposals in the 'A Fairer Private Rented Sector' White Paper. The Committee heard evidence from organisations representing tenants, landlords and local government, including London Councils Strategic Lead for Housing & Planning, Eloise Shepherd. You can watch the session on parliamentlive.tv here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Useful resources

Help with cost of living ( [link removed] )

Support for Ukraine ( [link removed] )

Covid data and advice ( [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]