Building more homes for Londoners top priority

London Councils has set out its priorities for the next four years and how it would like to see the partnership between the Mayor and the boroughs strengthened for the benefit of all Londoners.

As London moves towards its sixth Mayoral election on 7 May, London Councils’ top priorities are: building enough homes for Londoners; new approaches to investment in infrastructure that a 21st century global city needs; ensuring people can move around the city without congestion; stopping the harmful effects of growth on our air, our health and the climate; and reversing the recent rise in violence especially its threat to young Londoners.

London Councils says that it is fortunate that since the first Mayor was elected in 2000, each successive incumbent has built on their predecessor’s achievements to strengthen the institutions for partnership work with London boroughs. In the next four years the greater urgency for investment and devolution make this a central priority to govern London well.

The Leading London towards 2030 report represents London Councils’ proposals for an agenda on which to work with whoever is elected Mayor of London in May of this year, setting out the principles that should guide that partnership and follows up with specific proposals across a range of policy and service areas.

Peter John, chair of London Councils, said: “The winner will be the face of London as we enter the third decade in which the city is represented and served by a strategic Mayor, and 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation. Two decades of joint working have proven the strength of this form of combined democratic city leadership. We want that partnership to continue and to be strengthened over the next four years.”

Ruth Dombey, Vice Chair of London Councils, added: “Mayors have delivered the congestion charge, the Olympics, and better air quality through the ultra-low emission zone. Boroughs have delivered improved services despite significant reductions in staff and spending power. The next Mayor of London must work with the London boroughs to meet the city’s challenges and deliver the urgent investment in services and infrastructure that all Londoners depend on - and deliver greater devolution from Whitehall to the Mayor and the boroughs.”