London Councils celebrates 30 years

This year, London Councils is celebrating its 30th anniversary, with the group looking back at three decades of collaboration.

London Councils currently represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation and was established as the Association of London Government in March 1995. It was renamed London Councils in 2006.

Over the last 30 years, London Councils has raised awareness of the biggest issues facing the capital and the policy and funding solutions needed to address these, particularly in local government finance, housing and devolution.

The group has served as a forum for London boroughs to come together to discuss challenges and make collective decisions at pace.

Key highlights from the last 30 years include The Freedom Pass and Taxicard concessionary travel schemes; the Keep London Safe vaccination promotion campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic; and The London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), which was created as a joint venture between boroughs and the GLA to improve London’s use of new technology, data, and innovation.

Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils, said: “Collaborating at a pan-London, cross-party level has brought immense benefits to boroughs and the residents we serve. This was turbocharged during the Covid pandemic as we worked together to keep London safe and deliver an effective vaccination programme to all our communities.

“As London Councils marks our 30th anniversary in 2025, we will be celebrating the many successful collaborations we have built with our member boroughs and reflecting on all that we have learned over the past three decades.

“Drawing on our experiences will help us to shape the future of London local government. From sustaining London’s local services through to accelerating progress towards net zero and generating inclusive growth, we continue to have big ambitions and a key role to play.”

2025 also marks 60 years since the London boroughs were created and 25 years since the creation of the Greater London Authority.

Currently London Councils is pushing for a new devolution deal in order to boost economic growth and compete as a global city. The group wants a more formalised structure for joint decision-making between boroughs and the Mayor of London, which it is hoped will produce more coordinated decisions and better outcomes for Londoners.