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Your weekly update of London local government issues

15 Feb 23

We need more protection for private renters and more affordable homes

London Councils has welcomed a new parliamentary report on reforming the private rented sector, reiterating boroughs’ support for stronger tenant protections and more affordable housing.

The report from the ( [link removed] )Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Committee ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) points to the precarious state of local government finances, the shortage of qualified enforcement staff, and a lack of reliable data. The report also highlights the need for more affordable housing to tackle the rocketing rental costs many tenants face.

London Councils, which gave evidence to the committee’s inquiry, is urging ministers to prioritise the report’s recommendations.

( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Two million Londoners live in private rented sector homes and they all deserve stronger protection. In the face of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this issue is as urgent as ever.

“As the report makes clear, councils will also need strong enforcement powers and new resources to help ensure any changes in the law succeed in helping tenants and improving standards in the private rented sector.

“There remains a chronic shortage of affordable housing in the capital. Ultimately, we need a massive expansion in the delivery of new affordable homes to relieve the pressures across the entire housing system.”

Children's Summit 

The Association of London Directors of Children's Services and their sector-led improvement partnership LIIA (London Innovation and Improvement Alliance) hosted their annual children’s summit at The Guildhall in the City of London last week.

The summit, chaired by London Councils Executive Lead for Schools and Children’s Services  Cllr Ian Edwards, was attended by over 160 delegates comprising a wide variety of London-wide senior figures from children and young people’s services. Also in attendance was the Permanent Secretary from the Department for Education Susan Acland-Hood who, in addition to a pre-recorded address from Claire Coutinho Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, shared some of the findings from the recently published Care Review Implementation Consultation.

( [link removed] )You can read more about the Summit and the work of LIIA on their website here ( [link removed] ).

Bannister Fletcher lecture

London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould delivered the 2023 Bannister Fletcher lecture at ( [link removed] )The London Society ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) on Monday evening.

Building on London's response to the cost of living crisis and Covid-19, Cllr Gould set out how democratic renewal, a new era of collaboration, social solidarity and collective imagination will help London meet its potential as a net zero city, where everyone has a stake in economic growth and a future London shaped by Imagination Activism.

"Imagination Activism", she said "Is different to an activism of protest and sees people making change by coming together to imagine new, more optimistic, futures as a basis for doing the hard work to re-design our economy and public services."

Follow more ( [link removed] )@londonsoc ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) and ( [link removed] )#BFL23 ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

LOTI: Pan-London Data Sharing Agreements Project

Organisations across London share personal data daily to deliver their statutory obligations, prevent crime or harm, and improve the wellbeing of residents. There are many Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) across London boroughs, the Metropolitan Police, health trusts, the Probation and London Ambulance Services, voluntary sector groups, and more.

The Pan-London Data Sharing Agreements Project, led by the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), aims to tackle barriers to effective data sharing, to provide clarity to professionals and promote a shared understanding of when and how information should be shared.

( [link removed] )You can find out more about LOTI’s Pan-London Data Sharing Agreements Project on their website here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Media round-up...

London’s private renters deserve ‘stronger protection’
( [link removed] )London Post ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London councils collaborating to avoid ‘bidding wars’
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

‘Urgent solutions’ needed to tackle rapid homelessness rise among Ukrainian refugees
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London CIV backs Shell legal battle
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Councils able to recruit overseas social workers through £15m fund
( [link removed] )Community Care ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London parents face the highest childcare costs in the country
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Sir Bob Neil MP: Taking on toxic times
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Useful resources

Help with cost of living ( [link removed] )

Disasters Emergency Committee ( [link removed] )

Covid data and advice ( [link removed] )

Freedom Pass ( [link removed] )

Taxicard ( [link removed] )

Parking Services ( [link removed] )

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( [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 is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of 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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