The Mayor Is Elected by the People of London Every

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The Mayor is elected by the people of London The Mayor’s vision every four years. The next election will be in Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, wants 2004. The current Mayor is Ken Livingstone, who London to be: was elected in May 2000. • A prosperous city, in which all share in The Mayor represents London and Londoners, in the benefits of wealth created in London’s the UK and internationally. He takes a strategic dynamic economy. look at what is happening in London, drawing • A city for people, with safe, attractive streets, up policies for the social and economic where goods and services are within easy reach development of the city. and where everyone feels safe and secure. The Mayor’s powers and responsibilities are set • An accessible city, with fast, efficient and out in the Greater London Authority Act 1999. comfortable means of transport and access to This Act also covers the London Assembly and affordable homes, education and training, the Greater London Authority (GLA). health, leisure and recreation.

• A fair city, showing tolerance and abolishing all forms of discrimination, where neighbourhoods and communities have a say in their future.

• A green city, making efficient use of natural resources and energy, respecting the natural world and wildlife, using to the full the varied pattern of open space, eco-friendly design and construction methods, recycling waste and creating new ‘green’ industries. The job of the Mayor The Mayor sets the budget for the Metropolitan The Deputy Mayor Police Service (under the oversight of the The Mayor appoints one of the London Assembly Metropolitan Police Authority), Transport for members to be Deputy Mayor. The first Deputy London, the London Development Agency, the Mayor is Nicky Gavron. London Fire Brigade (under the oversight of The Working with the boroughs London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority) While the Mayor is responsible for taking a and the GLA. strategic view of London, looking at issues from He is responsible for setting policies on a Londonwide perspective, the London boroughs transport, buildings and land use, economic are responsible for providing many services for development and regeneration, culture and the London. The Mayor must work with the boroughs, environment. He has a duty to promote the particularly on planning, to ensure that there is health of Londoners. He must ensure that all of no conflict between what the boroughs do and the policies work together and that they benefit what the Mayor and the GLA do. all Londoners. Contact the Mayor You can write to the Mayor at City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA or email him at [email protected].

Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Jez Coulson, David Rose/Insight, Hayley Madden 14523 GLA assembly lflt AW 10/9/02 2:17 PM Page 1

WE ARE

The London Assembly acts as a check and balance on the Mayor. Elected by the people of London, the Assembly consists of 25 members. London Assembly meetings They examine the Mayor’s activities, questioning The London Assembly has regular meetings him about his decisions and scrutinising his throughout the year, including committee policies. They are also able to investigate other meetings, scrutinies of the Mayor’s policies and issues of importance to Londoners. the monthly Mayor’s Question Time sessions, The current Assembly was elected in May 2000. in which they can question the Mayor on his The next elections will take place in 2004. policies. All are open to the public and they are held in the new purpose-built debating chamber Who are the London Assembly members? in City Hall. The 2000-04 London Assembly is made up of nine Labour members, nine Conservatives, four Liberal Scrutiny reports by the London Assembly Democrats and three Green party members. Recent investigative reports published by the London Assembly include: Fourteen of the members are elected to represent • London Weighting, the first review since 1974 particular areas of London. The other 11 are • Graffiti, the realities, the hazards, and how elected by a system of proportional representation much it is costing us and are known as Londonwide members. • London’s Green Spaces, how they can be The Chair and Deputy Chair of the London protected and maintained Assembly are selected by their fellow Assembly • Smoking in Public Places, how to get the members and they alternate each year. The balance right current Chair is Trevor Phillips and the Deputy • Reaching Out, on consultation and whether Chair is Sally Hamwee. the Mayor is listening • Public Transport in Outer London. Scrutinies in progress and due to come out during 2002/03: • The tube, future priorities • 24-hour licensing • Flooding • Asylum seekers. Contact the Assembly If you are interested in finding out more about the London Assembly’s work or obtaining copies of the reports, you can contact them via the Assembly Secretariat on 020 7983 4790. You can also contact the Assembly members directly. For details on the individual Assembly members and their constituencies, see the GLA website.

Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Adam Hinton 14523 GLA the GLA lflt AW 10/9/02 2:23 PM Page 1

WE ARE GLA

The Greater London Authority (GLA) was created as a new form of strategic citywide government, Open government consisting of an elected Mayor and a separately The GLA is committed to open and transparent elected Assembly in 2000. A core staff of around government. If you want to find out what the 500 people support the Mayor and the Assembly GLA has been doing, you can look in the Annual in their work. Report or read the Best Value Performance Plan The GLA stands apart from the London Summary or ON Magazine. All publications boroughs, looking at the needs of London as produced by the Mayor are available to the public. a whole and representing the city on a national Members of the public can put questions to and an international level. However, it must the Mayor on radio phone-in programmes or work with the London boroughs to ensure the at People’s Question Time (see Get Involved). Mayor’s policies are implemented effectively. For more information, contact the Public Liaison The Mayor of London Unit on 020 7983 4100 or see the GLA website. The first Mayor or London was elected in May 2000. He holds the office for a term of four years. How much does the GLA cost and who pays for it? The Mayor controls a budget of £4.7 billion. However, most of the budget goes to providing policing services for London and maintaining the transport network. In the 2002/03 budget, policing services made up 50 per cent of the total budget and transport 35 per cent. The cost of providing the GLA amounted to just 1 per cent of total expenditure. The money comes mostly from government grant. He is responsible for overseeing the organisations In 2002/03, Council Tax payers met about that deal with transport, policing, the London 10 per cent of the total bill. For an average Fire Brigade and economic development in Band D property, the annual cost was £173.88. London. These organisations are known as the GLA group and they are Transport for London, The London Assembly the Metropolitan Police Authority, the London The London Assembly holds the Mayor to Fire & Emergency Planning Authority and the account, acting as a check and balance on the London Development Agency. Mayor’s powers. It scrutinises his policies and decisions and undertakes research on its own He also has a duty to promote the health of into issues of importance to Londoners. Once Londoners, although the NHS in London is a month, it questions the Mayor in public at responsible for providing healthcare services Mayor’s question time. in the capital. London Assembly meetings are usually held in public.

WE ARE THE GLA GROUP

The Greater London Authority (GLA) consists of the Mayor, the London Assembly and four organisations that look after transport, the police, the fire brigade and economic Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) development for London. These four Set up to oversee policing in London, the MPA organisations are known as the GLA group is responsible for maintaining an efficient and or GLA family. They are: effective police force in the Metropolitan Police • Transport for London District, setting targets for the police force and • the Metropolitan Police Authority monitoring them, and being accountable for the • the London Fire & Emergency budget. Policing services are provided by the Planning Authority Metropolitan Police Service. • the London Development Agency. The number of police officers in London The Mayor sets the budget for the GLA group is being increased by around 1,000 a year. and appoints people to the boards of the four By the end of 2003, the number of police organisations. Many of the board members are officers in London will have risen to 28,000. chosen from the London Assembly. Find out more at the Metropolitan Police Authority website at www.mpa.gov.uk. London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) Responsible for running the London Fire Brigade, LFEPA oversees the provision of firefighting services, as well as community fire safety programmes and emergency planning operations. LFEPA is working to recruit more women and Transport for London (TfL) black and minority ethnic firefighters. It now This body, set up at the same time as the GLA, has record numbers of women training. covers almost all modes of transport in London, including the buses, river services, Croydon Find out more at the London Fire website Tramlink, the Docklands Light Railway, taxis and at www.london-fire.gov.uk. private hire operators. It is also responsible for London Development Agency (LDA) Victoria Coach Station and for managing a The LDA is responsible for furthering the number of major roads in London, through economic development and regeneration Transport for London Street Management. of London; promoting business efficiency, Transport for London is working towards updating investment and competitiveness; promoting London’s buses. In its first two years, it increased employment; enhancing and developing the the number of low-floor accessible buses to a skills of local people and contributing to level where they made up two-thirds of the sustainable development. fleet. That proportion is increasing all the time. Recent LDA programmes have focused on Two new trams systems are to be built, in attracting visitors to the capital, following addition to the Croydon Tramlink – the West the downturn in tourism after the events London Tram Scheme and the Cross River of 11 September 2001. The LDA has also Transit. The Docklands Light Railway is being invested in developing mini-suites as a form extended to Woolwich and London City Airport. of affordable housing suitable for young people and key workers. Find out more at the Transport for London website at www.tfl.gov.uk. Find out more at the London Development Greater London Authority Agency website at www.lda.gov.uk. City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Transport for London Visual Image Service 14523 GLA Strategies lflt AW 10/9/02 2:56 PM Page 1

WE DO STRATEGIES

The Mayor takes a strategic look at what is happening in London, drawing up policies for the social and economic development of the city. He is obliged to produce strategies on transport, buildings and land use, economic development and regeneration, culture and the environment. He has also chosen to produce strategies on other areas, which he feels are important, including strategies tackling domestic violence, rough sleeping and on making London a more child-friendly city. How a strategy is produced Drawing up the strategies Most – though not all – strategies go through The Mayor wants to know what Londoners the following stages: think. In drawing up his strategies, he consults with a wide range of individuals and • Stage 1 – The Mayor and his officers consult organisations who have an interest in the with the London boroughs, representatives particular field. All draft strategies are then of business, the voluntary sector, local made available for public comment before communities, special interest groups and a final version is published. experts to begin work on the strategy and produce a consultation draft.

• Stage 2 – The consultation draft strategy is presented to the Assembly, who will scrutinise the document and may suggest changes, and to the GLA group for their comments.

• Stage 3 – A final draft strategy is drawn up, On some strategy areas, the Mayor set up published and made available to the public. a Policy Commission to establish the initial All draft strategies appear on the GLA website. direction of the strategies. The reports from The public can read and comment on the draft the Policy Commissions on the Environment, strategy, sending their formal responses to Housing, Equalities and Crime and Safety the GLA. are available to the public by calling the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100 or • Stage 4 – The full strategy is produced, taking via the GLA website www.london.gov.uk. into account comments received during the public consultation period. All completed strategies are available on the GLA website. Some strategies, including the London Plan (the Mayor’s Spatial Development Strategy), will also go through an Examination In Public, as a legal requirement. In an Examination in Public, a panel of independent experts is appointed by the government to look at the robustness, effectiveness and consistency of the strategy. It meets in public and can decide to investigate particular aspects of the strategy. At the end of its investigations, it reports back to the Mayor.

WE DO CRIME, POLICING AND EMERGENCIES

Many Londoners are concerned about levels of crime in the city. The fear of crime is often stated as a reason for people wanting to move out of London and it stops many Londoners taking advantage of the vibrant cultural nightlife of our capital city. The Mayor’s vision is to create a London that is safe and feels safe for all who live in, work in or visit this diverse city. Civic Wardens More police on the beat Pilot schemes of Civic Wardens being used The Mayor has pledged to increase the number to monitor local neighbourhoods and work on of police in London by 1,000 every year. He sets preventing crime are being run in some parts the budget for the Metropolitan Police Service of London. The London Fire Brigade The Mayor sets the budget for the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), which oversees the running of the London Fire Brigade and is responsible for community fire safety programmes. LFEPA is also responsible for emergency planning, and it works with the boroughs to ensure that plans and procedures are in place to deal with an emergency anywhere in London. More than just policing (MPS), which is overseen by the Metropolitan With responsibility for setting strategies for Police Authority (MPA), one of the GLA group London, the Mayor can ensure that crime and of organisations. He also works with the safety issues are addressed on an economic Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to see level as well as through policing. The Mayor’s that police officers are being deployed where Economic Development Strategy and his draft they are most needed. London Plan have identified a need to direct More black and minority ethnic police officers economic investment and regeneration towards are being recruited, so that the MPS better some of the more disadvantaged areas of reflects the population of London as a whole. London, particularly in the east. The recruitment drive has seen Hendon Police He has also drawn up a strategy for dealing Training College full for the first time in its history. with crimes of domestic violence. The London Domestic Violence Strategy is the first attempt Police on the buses to co-ordinate the approach of police and other The Mayor is also pioneering the introduction agencies across London and to set minimum of police officers to the transport network. A standards for dealing with such crimes. special transport policing unit is being set up, which will see officers travelling on London’s buses, enforcing bus lane restrictions and cracking down on illegal taxi touts. Safety at night has been made a priority by the Mayor and he has worked with Transport for London to ensure there are more Night buses Greater London Authority on the roads and to bring in the licensing of City Hall minicab operators. Following the licensing of The Queen’s Walk minicab companies, a programme to license London SE1 2AA drivers and their vehicles is being implemented. www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: LFEPA, Adam Hinton Andrew Hall 14523 GLA Culture lflt AW 10/9/02 3:07 PM Page 1

WE DO CULTURE

London is the world capital for culture and the creative industries. Its theatres, museums and galleries attract tourists from all over the UK and the world. The Mayor has a number of responsibilities As a venue, the square can accommodate relating to the arts, culture and sport, including: crowd-pulling concerts like the Celebrate South • producing a strategy for the development Africa concert attended by Nelson Mandela in of London's culture and tourism 2001 or smaller, more low-key events, such as • supporting and promoting the contribution the Wonderful Wednesday series. of the creative industries to the economy • promoting London as a tourist destination Local groups can apply to hold their events in • supporting a number of key cultural events for the square, making it a space for all Londoners. Londoners, including the annual respect festival In 2002, celebrations for Chinese New Year and • overseeing the management of Trafalgar St Patrick’s Day were held in the square for the Square and Parliament Square first time. respect The respect festival is an annual anti-racist and cultural event that will run each summer in one of London’s parks or open spaces. It is free and is designed to provide music and entertainment for all age groups and cultures. respect 2002 proved to be a hit with Londoners, and the event looks set to become a landmark on the festival circuit. Sport in London To develop a cultural strategy that meets the The Mayor has campaigned to keep the national needs of London’s diverse culture, the Mayor stadium at Wembley, and has helped to secure has established a Cultural Strategy Group for money for improvements to the transport London, which has taken its members from structure and to Wembley Park tube station. the performing arts, TV, sport, journalism, art, archaeology, architecture, tourism and finance. He is working towards bringing the 2012 Olympics to London, which would involve creating a new Trafalgar Square Olympic village in east London. Trafalgar Square and the area around it are to be revitalised in a project implemented by the World Squares for All partnership, which will see the north side of the square pedestrianised, creating a broad terrace in front of the National Gallery. To bring life back to the square, a series of cultural events will take place in the square, all of which will be free.

Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Wembley National Stadium, Hayley Madden, Jez Coulson 14523 GLA Economic lflt AW 10/9/02 2:34 PM Page 1

WE DO ECONOMIC POLICY

The Mayor’s vision is for London to be a prosperous city, in which all share in the benefits of wealth created in London’s dynamic economy. London’s economy London is one of the world’s wealthiest cities, and its economy accounts for nearly a fifth of the UK’s GDP. The economy is growing. Finance and business services have expanded greatly over the last 10-15 Development programmes years, bringing 550,000 new jobs to the capital. As part of his role, the Mayor oversees the work That growth has brought many more people to of the London Development Agency (LDA), London – the population has grown by 600,000 which is one of the four organisations forming since 1989, equivalent to a city the size of Sheffield. the Greater London Authority (GLA) group. It is set to increase by a further 700,000 by 2016 The LDA co-ordinates economic development and – equivalent to adding a city the size of Leeds. regeneration across the capital. It has co-ordinated a number of specific economic development and regeneration programmes including:

• Great London Deals: The London Tourism Action Group and the Mayor organised a series of discounts on theatre tickets, travel and tours, restaurants and hotels to bring people back to London after the events of 11 September, backed by a widespread advertising campaign.

• Keep London Working: This project drew Polarisation of wealth together a number of partners to develop But the economic growth of recent years has mini-suite homes that would be affordable not benefited everyone equally. London also for key workers. contains some of the world’s poorest communities • Borough Market: Regeneration work will see – 43 per cent of London’s children live in access to the market improved, landscaping households below the poverty line. There is an and refurbishment completed and around increasing polarisation of wealth in London and 150 jobs created or safeguarded. in the quality of life experienced by the people. See the LDA website at www.lda.gov.uk for The Mayor’s role in economic development further information. The election of a Mayor of London gave the city some one who could consider the economic Publications health of London as a whole and consider how Publications on economic development include: to direct economic development to the areas • Success through diversity: The Economic that need it most urgently. Development Strategy • Planning for London’s Growth, and Late Night The prosperity of an area is affected by many London: Planning and Managing the Late- things – its transport connections, the physical Night Economy. environment, the availability of public services and good schools and colleges. The Mayor, Contact the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100 through his role in shaping policies in many or see the website www.london.gov.uk to obtain areas, including transport, policing and planning, copies of the publications. can make sure that all of the factors are working Greater London Authority towards creating a more equitable city. City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Hayley Madden, Adam Hinton 14523 GLA Education lflt AW 10/9/02 2:37 PM Page 1

WE DO EDUCATION

Education affects every aspect of our lives. It is important that London’s children have access to a good education, that students get the most out of studying in the capital and that adults have access to the education that can get them back into work or broaden their horizons. Students in London Teacher recruitment Each year, more than 300,000 students from London suffers from a shortage of teachers, all over Britain, Europe and the world study with teacher vacancy rates higher in London in London’s higher education institutions, with than in the rest of the country. a further 500,000 studying at London’s Further Education colleges. According to the Review of To deal with the problem, the Mayor has called Higher and Further Education for 2002 by the for a pan-London approach to recruitment, so Greater London Authority (GLA), those students that the boroughs are not competing against face a number of problems, including: each other to recruit for their schools. • London students pay on average 44 per cent more for their accommodation than students in the rest of Britain.

• The cost of transport is disproportionately high for London students.

• Students in London are more likely to borrow and to work part-time to top up their student loans. The Mayor has supported calls for a return to The lack of affordable housing in London student grants and he has extended student has exacerbated the problems of recruitment. discounts on Travelcards. A student newsletter Creating more affordable housing is a priority is published twice a year, keeping students up for the Mayor and his role in planning has helped to date with what is happening at the GLA. secure a higher percentage of affordable homes Focusing on London’s children in a number of key developments, including London schools and the black child, a conference the redevelopment of Arsenal Stadium and discussing the under-attainment of black children Normansfield Hospital. His target is for 50 per in London’s schools, attracted around 1,500 cent of new homes to be affordable to people people in March 2002. like teachers. The Mayor is to develop a Children’s Strategy, to make London a more child-friendly city. By consulting with local children, as well as health and education authorities, borough representatives, the Government Office for London, the Children and Young People’s Advisory Board and the London Children’s Rights Commissioner’s Office, he aims to identify the key issues facing children in the city and consider ways to improve the quality of life experienced by London’s children. Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Andrew Houston for South Bank University, Jez Coulson, Adam Hinton 14523 GLA Environment lflt AW 10/9/02 2:42 PM Page 1

WE DO THE ENVIRONMENT

The Mayor’s vision is for London to be a green city, making efficient use of natural resources and energy, respecting the natural world and wildlife, using to the full the varied pattern of open space, eco-friendly design and construction Air quality methods, recycling waste and creating new The Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy looks at ‘green’ industries. reducing pollution in London’s air so that it does not affect the health of Londoners. A feasibility The Mayor is required to formulate policies study into introducing a low-emission zone in on the environment and to ensure that all his London is underway. policies are consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Work has begun on Biodiversity five strategies, covering air quality, biodiversity, The Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy recognises energy, noise and waste management. the abundance of animals and plants supported by London’s open spaces, gardens and waterways and sets out a plan for protecting the city’s biodiversity.

Energy and noise Draft strategies are being prepared on noise and energy. Respectively, they will look at measures for minimising the ambient noise of road traffic, railways, aircraft and industry and at energy efficiency, fuel poverty and London’s contribution to climate change.

He must also produce a four-yearly report on the Waste management environment, the first of which is due in 2003. A draft Municipal Waste Management Strategy is due for publication in Autumn 2002. It will In all of the Mayor’s strategies, the implications cover waste minimisation, recycling, recovery, for the environment are taken into account. treatment and disposal of municipal waste. Strategies like the Transport Strategy and the There will be a period of public consultation London Plan have made protecting or improving before the final strategy is published. the environment a key objective. He also provides support for a number of Transport programmes designed to work towards a better The key to improving London’s environment environment for London, including car-free day, will be the way its transport network develops. an anti-litter campaign and support for the The Mayor’s Transport Strategy aims to reduce Capital Standard Campaign, which aims to bring dependence on private cars and increase the all London boroughs up to a high standard of capacity of the public transport network to cope urban cleanliness. with increases in demand. It aims to increase the capacity of the Underground and rail systems by 50 per cent by 2015 and increase the capacity of the bus system by 40 per cent by 2011, while reducing traffic levels by around 15 per cent in central London.

Environmental standards at City Hall The Mayor is personally committed to improving London’s record on the environment and he Greater London Authority is determined that the GLA itself will set an City Hall example in its practices. The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA He has introduced a green procurement code www.london.gov.uk for the GLA and made sure that the GLA’s headquarters at City Hall meet the highest enquiries 020 7983 4100 environmental standards possible. See our minicom 020 7983 4458 information sheet on City Hall for more details. August 2002 Photography: Adam Hinton 14523 GLA Equality lflt AW 10/9/02 2:48 PM Page 1

WE DO EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

The Mayor’s vision is for London to be a fair city, showing tolerance and abolishing all forms of discrimination, where neighbourhoods and communities have a say in their futures. Celebrating London’s diversity London is a diverse city and that contributes London Partnerships Register to its economic success and the vibrant cultural The London Partnerships Register has been scene that attracts millions of visitors every year. set up as a way of recognising the partnership Its population of seven million encompasses status of couples, both same-sex and 14 faiths and 300 languages. heterosexual. It does not have the legal status The Mayor has supported a number of cultural that marriage has, but provides a degree of festivals that celebrate that diversity, including official recognition for those who desire it. Chinese New Year, St Patrick’s Day, Diwali and Since its launch in September 2001, hundreds of Eid. Trafalgar Square has been used as a venue couples have signed the register, many of them for many of these celebrations. combining it with a short commitment ceremony. It has inspired a photographic exhibition and has won the Mayor the Gay Business Association’s Brian Kennedy Award in recognition of people who have made a significant contribution to the gay and lesbian communities. It is the first of its kind in Britain, and many other cities have since shown an interest in setting up a similar register. A commitment to equality at the He set up the Notting Hill Review Group to Greater London Authority (GLA) consider changes to the carnival, making sure The Mayor is proud of the fact that its staff it is safe for everyone. broadly represent the population of London in terms of their ethnic background. There is The Mayor has also supported Black History an equalities policy team at the GLA, which Month, when the contribution of black men and monitors the performance of the GLA and women to London’s history has been promoted produces the GLA’s Equalities Framework to through music, theatre and exhibitions. ensure that equalities becomes central to all respect the work the GLA undertakes. The respect festival is an annual anti-racist and The GLA aims to consult with all Londoners cultural event that will run each summer in one in the preparation of its strategies, which it is of London’s parks or open spaces. It is free and required to do as part of the legislation that is designed to provide music and entertainment created the GLA. It also puts specific obligations for all age groups and cultures. respect 2002 on the GLA to promote equality and challenge proved to be a hit with Londoners, and the discrimination. An annual Equalities Report event is set to become a landmark on the details what has been done by the GLA to meet festival circuit. these obligations. The Equalities Report is available to the public via the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100 or via the GLA website www.london.gov.uk.

Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Jez Coulson, Liane Harris, Hayley Madden 14523 GLA health lflt AW 10/9/02 2:50 PM Page 1

WE DO HEALTH

Living in London comes with its own health risks. Clearing the air Air pollution in London, which is worse than in Reducing air pollution in London is crucial to any other city in the UK, triggers asthma attacks improving the health of Londoners. This has been in one in seven children in central London. taken into account in developing the Transport Men aged 35-50, living in central London, have Strategy, which aims to reduce the use of private mortality rates twice the national average. cars and make cycling and walking easier and more attractive. The draft London Plan also seeks Although the Mayor is not responsible for to reduce the amount of travelling Londoners providing health services in London, he has need to do, by promoting developments that mix a duty to promote the health of Londoners and business, retail and residential units in the same he must consider how the health of those living area. It puts an emphasis on ensuring there are in and visiting London will be affected by the adequate health and education facilities in all decisions he takes. parts of the city. An Air Quality Strategy has been prepared to address the issue of improving the air quality. Saving Londoners Lives The Saving Londoners Lives campaign is a joint initiative by the Mayor, the GLA and the NHS in London. It aims to increase the number of people in London who are ready, willing and able to give life-saving help. It focuses on the problems of heart attacks, which are responsible for the deaths of 12,000 Londoners every year, by making people more aware of the symptoms and the need to act quickly. The London Health Commission Alcohol and drugs The Mayor has brought together experts London is a young city and has a vibrant in public health to form a London Health nightlife. It is not surprising that the use of Commission, which provides up-to-date alcohol and drugs is high and that they are statistics on health in London and assesses often a factor in crimes. the impact of the Mayor’s strategies on the At least one in four admissions to Accident and health of Londoners. It aims to reduce health Emergency departments in London is due to inequalities in London and generally improve alcohol. One in three cases of acquisitive crime the health of Londoners. in London is committed by drug users. Alcohol The founding partners of the London Health is implicated in 40 per cent of violent crime Commission are the Association of London committed in London. Government, the Government Office for London, An Alcohol and Drugs Report by the Mayor the King’s Fund and the Health and Social Care has identified ways to reduce the harm caused Directorate, London. It is supported by the by alcohol and drugs in London. The Greater Health Development Agency. London Alcohol and Drug Alliance has been set Health Impact Assessments by the London up to bring together the many different agencies Health Commission are available from the dealing with alcohol and drug issues to tackle Greater London Authority (GLA) or from the the Londonwide problems associated with London Health Commission. alcohol and drugs.

WE DO HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Average house prices in London are well above the national average. Many Londoners struggle to find a home they can afford. According to a MORI poll conducted at the end of 2001, Planning decisions 93 per cent of Londoners thought housing and The London boroughs are required to consult accommodation in the capital was too expensive. with the Mayor on all large planning decisions, Those who already own homes are also suffering so that there is a co-ordinated approach to from the effects of high housing costs, as London development in London. In this role, the Mayor is becoming too expensive a place to live for has been able to persuade developers to essential workers like teachers, bus drivers and increase the provision of affordable housing nurses. Teacher vacancies are higher in London offered in a number of cases, including: than elsewhere because the lack of affordable • Harrods Depository: the financial contribution housing is making it harder for schools to recruit. paid for affordable housing in the area was tripled. Setting targets for new housing • Normansfield Hospital, Richmond: the level of The Mayor has responsibility for strategic planning affordable housing was raised from 25 per cent in London, setting the overall policy for London to nearly 37 per cent. and making sure the boroughs’ planning policies are in line with it. The final policy will be called Homelessness the London Plan, which is currently in its draft Rough sleeping has become a distressingly form. In the meantime, several interim reports familiar sight on the streets of the capital. have been done looking at the level of The Rough Sleepers Strategy – From Street affordable housing provision and how it could to Stability was completed in March 2001 and be increased. many of its recommendations have been put into action. The Mayor and his adviser on homelessness, Glenda Jackson, have held a series of surgeries for rough sleepers, helping them connect with the state structures and support services that can enable them to find accommodation. Glenda Jackson ran a programme in April 2002 to register homeless people to vote in the local elections. The key housing targets set by the Mayor in the In June 2002, the Greater London Authority draft London Plan are: (GLA) launched the Homeless London website • for 50 per cent of the homes in all new (www.homelesslondon.org.uk) to provide help developments to be affordable for key workers and services for homeless people in London. • to have 23,000 new homes built every year to Bringing empty homes back into use increase the amount of housing available. The Mayor believes that many of the homes that stand empty now could be brought back into service. He commissioned a report in October 2001 to look into how the GLA could work with other agencies in London to bring as many of the empty homes back into service as possible.

WE DO INTERNATIONAL

London is important on a world stage, not just on the national stage. It attracts 30 million visitors a year and its culture and nightlife is world-renowned. It is one of the world’s three financial centres, with Tokyo and New York, and it is responsible for around a fifth of the London House, Brussels UK’s annual national income – its GDP or Gross The Mayor wants London to have a voice at Domestic Product. the centre of European policy-making and he opened London House in Brussels in November Its size and prominence mean that often it has 2001 to ensure that London’s needs would be more in common with other capital cities around taken into account in the European Union. the world than with other UK cities. In June 2002, the Mayor hosted an international So it is important that London is represented conference on the environment, which brought internationally. It can learn much from other in experts from Paris, Berlin and Moscow. cities, and can share its expertise in many areas. City Partnerships The Greater London Authority (GLA) has chosen to build special links with a small number of international cities around the world, to learn from their experiences and to share London’s expertise. The cities that have signed City Partnerships are Berlin, Moscow, New York and Paris. The Mayor has met with the Mayors of these cities to discuss various issues, including tourism, transport and urban regeneration. Friendship Agreements London has a diverse population, with more than 300 languages spoken in the capital. Its people have links with countries and cities all over the world, which contribute to London’s economic success and cultural vibrancy. Friendship Agreements are signed with cities with which there are particularly strong ties, such as New Delhi and Dhaka, acknowledging the contribution those cities have made to London.

Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Adam Hinton, Hayley Madden 14523 GLA Planning lflt AW 10/9/02 2:56 PM Page 1

WE DO PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

The Mayor has to consider the needs of London as a whole, in terms of housing, green spaces, transport and the economy. He must Working with the boroughs make sure development takes place where it is The Mayor must work with all 33 of London’s most needed, and in a way that brings benefits boroughs to make sure their individual planning for all Londoners. decisions are in line with the overall strategy. With the re-establishment of citywide government They have an obligation to consult the Mayor on for London, the Mayor took over responsibility any planning decisions that are considered to be for strategic planning in London from the of potential strategic importance. Secretary of State. He has a role in reviewing the Those cases include: planning applications for major developments in • large scale developments London, although the applications are still made • major infrastructure projects through the London boroughs. • developments which may affect views of London The London Plan • developments which are a departure from the The London Plan is the Mayor’s 15-year plan for boroughs’ own development plans. the development of London, covering buildings The Mayor has the power to instruct the boroughs and land use, the protection of green spaces, to refuse permission in these cases, but he cannot and the development of the transport network. require them to approve an application. It is also known as the Spatial Development Strategy. The draft London Plan was published Some of the cases that the Mayor has considered in June 2002 and it will go through a period are the redevelopment of Arsenal Football Club’s of public consultation before a final plan is stadium, Camden Town Underground station, drawn up. Harrods Depository, Normansfield Hospital and Tabard Square, Southwark. Preparing for the future Much research has been done as groundwork for the London Plan. Population growth over the last 14 years has been measured accurately for the first time and projections for growth in the next 15 years have been made. The number of homes London needs has been calculated and the amount of office space required to house the projected increase in jobs estimated. The consultation will include what is called an To find out more, you can read the following: ‘Examination in Public’, where a panel of experts • Planning for London’s Growth will review the proposals in depth and in public, • Late-night London: Planning and Managing before reporting back to the Mayor. the Late-night Economy Architecture and design • Future Housing Provision: Speeding Up Delivery The Mayor wants London to see an urban • Affordable Housing renaissance, with exciting new architecture and • Planning Obligations in London. designs for London that make the city a good All of the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) place to live. He set up the Architecture and publications are available via the Public Liaison Urbanism Unit, headed by Richard Rogers, to Unit on 020 7983 4100 or the GLA website champion good design in London and has issued www.london.gov.uk. You can also find copies planning guidance on tall buildings and strategic of publications at public libraries. views in London.

WE DO TRANSPORT

The Mayor’s vision is for London to be an accessible city, with fast efficient and comfortable means of transport. To achieve his vision, he is working with the different bodies involved in London’s transport What new work is being planned for London? network, such as the Strategic Rail Authority, Crossrail the government and Transport for London, to Work is about to begin on two new high-speed make sure real change happens. rail lines, passing underneath London and linking Transport for London (TfL) is responsible for with the Underground at key stations, which the day-to-day running of almost all modes of could be in operation by 2011. Crossrail 1 will transport in London, including the buses, river connect Heathrow in the west with the Isle of services, Croydon Tramlink, the Docklands Light Dogs and Stratford in the east. Crossrail 2 will Railway, taxis and private hire operators. It is link Hackney in north London with Clapham also responsible for Victoria Coach Station and Junction in the south. Possible extensions of the for a network of major roads through London. lines in all directions are under consideration. Tram systems The Mayor has given the go-ahead to two new tram schemes across London, following the success of the Croydon Tramlink, which was fully operational in 2000. The West London Tram Scheme will run from Uxbridge to Shepherd’s Bush. The Cross River Tram Scheme will connect King’s Cross and Camden with Peckham and Brixton, via Euston and Waterloo. Extensions to the Underground The Mayor oversees TfL, setting its budget and The East London line will be extended to Hackney chairing the board of the organisation. He also and Finsbury Park in the north and Wimbledon, appointed Bob Kiley, who successfully upgraded East Croydon and Crystal Palace in the south. the New York Subway, as Commissioner for Transport for London to bring world class Extensions to the Dockland’s Light management skills to London’s transport network. Railway (DLR) Extensions to the DLR have been agreed, which The Mayor is responsible for setting the structure will create new routes to London City Airport, and level of public transport fares in London and Becton and Woolwich Arsenal. he has the power to fund new transport services. Congestion charging A congestion charging scheme has been approved and is to go live on 17 February 2003. A charge of £5 per day will be payable by anyone driving within the central congestion charging area.

Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Adam Hinton, Transport for London Visual Image Service 14523 GLA get involved lflt AW 10/9/02 3:14 PM Page 1

WE LISTEN GET INVOLVED

The Mayor is committed to open and transparent government. Many of the Greater London Authority’s (GLA’s) meetings are open to the public, including the Mayor’s monthly question time with the London Assembly. Publications are made as widely available as possible, with many printed in a range of languages and in large print or Braille or recorded to audio tape. Most are free and all can be downloaded from the GLA’s website at no charge. The State of London debate The GLA is always keen to hear your views. Once a year, there is a televised public debate There are many different ways you can tell on a specific topic related to work done by the us what you think. Mayor and the GLA. Experts on the issue are Contact the Mayor invited to put their views and quiz the Mayor. You can write to the Mayor at City Hall, The The studio audience is encouraged to contribute Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA or email him to the debate. at [email protected]. Statutory consultation Radio phone-ins In drawing up his strategies, the Mayor has an The Mayor appears live on LBC and BBC London obligation to consult with Londoners. In the Live about once a month for a radio phone-in. preparation of strategies, he contacts many of Capital Gold has also run a number of phone-ins. the groups interested in and working in the Check with the radio stations for details. subject area. There is also a period of public consultation for the strategies. The statutory strategies cover the following areas: • economic development • transport • spatial development and planning • the environment (including air quality, biodiversity, noise and waste management) • culture. Publications Copies of the Annual Report and all of the other People’s Question Time GLA publications are available for free on the Twice a year, the Mayor and the London website at london.gov.uk. Copies of publications Assembly answer questions from the public at can also be obtained from the Public Liaison People’s Question Time. These events are held Unit on 020 7983 4100, although there is a in different venues around London to give charge for some reports. everyone a chance to attend. They are held in March and October each year. Contact the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100 or email [email protected] for more information.

Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 August 2002 Photography: Jez Coulson, Adam Hinton 14523 GLA poster AW 10/9/02 2:13 PM Page 1

WE WORK CITY HALL

How City Hall began Construction City Hall was purpose-built to house the City Hall was built in just 30 months, Greater London Authority (GLA). The first coming in on time and on budget. Each ideas for the building and its location were of the glazing panels is unique in shape 1 put forward in 1998, two years before the and size, and was laser-cut using data GLA was established and the first Mayor from the computer model. of London elected. The building stands 45m high, and Seven designs were chosen to go on contains nearly 12,000 sq metres of public display and the models and plans floor space over ten floors. 2 went on show at Oxo Tower Wharf. Visitors The striking glass-clad building is part 3 were invited to give their views on the of a development along the south proposals, involving the public in the bank of the Thames opposite the Tower choice of a new government building of London, near Tower Bridge. When for London. complete, the development will include The current design, by Fosters and large public open areas. Partners, was one of the favourites. Road access to the building is via an 4 One of Britain’s leading architecture underground road, making the riverside firms, Fosters and Partners has been walkway and surroundings a clean and behind some of London’s striking new safe area for the public to enjoy. The landmarks, including the Millennium space around City Hall is paved in blue Bridge and the British Museum’s Great 5 limestone and includes a sunken piazza Court. The company was also involved that provides access to the building at in the renovation of the Reichstag in lower ground floor level. Berlin, adding a modern twist to the City Hall – The home of London's government new parliament building for Germany. City Hall is the home for the Mayor of London, the London Government Minister for London Nick Assembly and the Greater London Authority – the strategic Raynsford chose the final City Hall design, citywide government for London. part of the More London development on the south bank of the Thames, in The building, a modified sphere, is February 1999. designed with the environment in mind. Developers CIT Group met the cost The building uses only about a quarter of of construction for City Hall, with the the energy of a standard office building, government covering the cost of fitting and recycled materials are used in many out the building. The GLA has taken out fittings and furnishings. a 25 year lease on City Hall and will pay 1 London’s Living Room: an annual rent of £36.50 per square foot, A spectacular open space for events, with the rent frozen until 2007. with a walkway around the perimeter offering panoramic views across London. 2 Offices: Open plan office spaces accommodate the Mayor of London, the London Assembly and the Greater London Authority’s approximately 500 staff. 3 Spiral ramp: A spiral ramp winds above City Hall’s Chamber, offering glimpses into the offices and views of the Thames and the Tower of London. 4 The Chamber: A purpose-built space for the debates and meetings of the Greater London Authority (GLA), open to the public and press. 5 Café: Open to the public, the café looks out onto an open air piazza, known as the Scoop.

Visit City Hall Members of the public are welcome to visit City Hall and to attend the many public meetings held at the building. To find out in advance what meetings are being held: Leading in environmental design visit the GLA website It was important from the start that City www.london.gov.uk Hall should be a leading example of A building for open call the Public Liaison Unit environmental design and construction. and transparent government A unique shape on London’s skyline on 020 7983 4100 In May 2002, the building design was The new City Hall is designed to be a new Using advanced computer modelling awarded an excellent rating under the and exciting place for the public to visit On the day, locations and details techniques, Fosters and Partners took Building Research Establishment’s and see London’s government at work. of meetings are shown on screens a sphere as the starting point for the Environmental Assessment Methodology in the ground floor reception area building, rather than the traditional cube. (BREEAM). The Chamber is designed to suit a wide of City Hall. As a sphere has 25 per cent less surface range of meetings, which the public and The spherical structure keeps heat gain area than a cube of the same volume, press can attend. Cinema-style seating is and loss low, as the surface area is there would be less heat loss from the provided for up to 250 people, who will Facts and figures minimised. The tilt of the building helps, building during cold weather and less all have a clear view of proceedings on by angling just a small area of the surface Height: heat gain on sunny days. the Chamber floor. directly into the sun. 45m The sphere has been modified, so that Flexible arrangements on the floor of The floors have also been stepped, so Tilt: it leans back from the river, towards the the Chamber allow the room to be used that each floor provides a level of shade 31 degrees south. At this angle, the building presents for many different events, including for the floor beneath it. Net floor area: minimum surface area to the sun, so presentations, meetings and the monthly 12,000 sq m (approx) that there is less of a need to cool the Instead of fixing air conditioning units Mayor’s Question Time. During the Mayor’s offices inside. to the roof, which are unsightly and Question Time, the 25 members of the Cladding: consume large amounts of energy, the London Assembly are able to ask the 7,300 sq m clear and ceramic The tilt also means that the building does building is cooled using ground water. Mayor about his decisions. low emissivity coated glass not cast a huge shadow over the riverside Two bore holes bring cold ground water walkway, allowing the sun to reach down Broadcast equipment in the Chamber Structural frame: up into the building and it is flowed to open public spaces. allows the GLA to webcast meetings structural steelwork, through beams in the ceiling, chilling live over the internet and to provide reinforced concrete core The building includes a number of special the beams and the office spaces. Vents an archive that the public can access features, to suit its purpose as the home below the windows allow the offices to through the GLA website. Steel quantity: of London’s government. The Chamber is be naturally ventilated. Once the water reinforced – 1,950 tons, designed to be a flexible space for debates has been run through the beams, it is Five Committee Rooms provide further structural – 2,100 tons spaces, of different sizes, where people and meetings, and an inspiring and used to flush the toilets in the building. Concrete quantity: pleasant space in which the public can will be able to attend other meetings Heat generated by the computers 13,100 cubic m see the working of London’s government. on an occasional basis. and lights is recycled through the A ramp spiralling above the Chamber Planning application date: Light is reflected into the café and building’s core. 7 July 1999 exhibition space on lower ground floor winds up to the ninth floor of the Using all of these energy-saving features, Greater London Authority by a series of mirrored ellipses in the building, offering views over the river Planning authority: City Hall is expected to consume just a City Hall ceiling structure. and glimpses into the offices of the London Borough of Southwark The Queen’s Walk quarter of the energy of a typical office GLA. On the ninth floor, London’s Living London SE1 2AA building of the same size. Room can accommodate up to 200 www.london.gov.uk Recycled materials have also been used people for special events, presentations enquiries 020 7983 4100 in many of the fittings of the building, and ceremonies for those signing the minicom 020 7983 4458 including the rubber doormats and the London Partnerships Register. August 2002 floor tiles. Photography: Adam Hinton, A. Rafferty