12 October 2011 Thirty-Fourth Mayor's Report to the Assembly
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London Assembly MQT – 12 October 2011 Thirty-fourth Mayor’s Report to the Assembly This is my thirty-fourth report to the Assembly, fulfilling my duty under Section 45 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. It covers the period 1 September to 28 September 2011. Executive Summary Bernard Hogan-Howe appointed as the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. On 12 September, after interviewing the final four candidates with the Home Secretary, Bernard Hogan-Howe was appointed the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Londoners deserve strong and dynamic leadership at the helm of the country’s largest and most industrious police force, and I’m pleased to welcome the appointment of Bernard as the man who will deliver the firm, strategic lead our great city needs. Improving the Management of Disruptive Roadworks On 21 September, I announced a new onslaught on disruptive roadworks on London's streets by asking Londoners to "name and shame" those companies who blight London with disruptive or neglected roadworks, causing hours of unnecessary frustration to journeys every day. I urged Londoners to use a new reporting system to tell Transport for London (TfL) when roadworks are not up to scratch so they can take action with the relevant organisations and get things moving again. To help Londoners report disruptive or badly managed roadworks, TfL and I have updated the 'Reportit' system on the TfL website, to allow people to identify and report issues quicker. By visiting www.tfl.gov.uk/roadworks, or by tweeting @report_it with the hashtag #roadworks, complaints can be sent directly to the highway authority responsible, ensuring that direct and swift action can be taken. Fares increase for 2012 to support unprecedented £12 billion investment in London’s transport network On 14 September, I confirmed that from January 2012, fares on London’s Tubes, Buses, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Trams will rise by the level set out two years ago in TfL’s Business Plan. This will maintain essential day to day public transport services and help continue record investment in London’s extensive transport network, which is experiencing surging passenger demand. From 2 January 2012, fares on TfL’s services will rise by an average of RPI + 2 percent, the assumption outlined in TfL’s Business Plan in October 2009. Based on July’s RPI figure of 5 per cent, this represents an average 7 per cent fare increase across TfL services and Oyster pay as you go. However, all free and concessionary travel for older people, students, Veterans and disabled Londoners has been protected in full. Shell donates £500,000 to the High Street Fund On 2 September, Shell became the latest company to support small businesses affected by August’s disturbances with a donation of £500,000 to the High Street Fund. The Fund was kick-started by my initial £500,000 commitment and Shell’s support means that over £4 million has now been pledged towards the fund, all of which will be used to provide immediate help to those small businesses harmed by the events last month. Mayor of London’s Sky Ride returns to the capital On 4 September, over 55,000 people joined multiple world and Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, actress and model Kelly Brook and, my Director of Environment and Digital London, Kulveer Ranger, for the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride Central London. Many more came out to watch and experience the day as cyclists of all ages and abilities took to traffic-free streets for the chance to enjoy the sights of the capital on two wheels. TfL, in partnership with Sky and British Cycling, organised the 11.6km route, which took in some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Mall, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London and London Bridge. The event marked the third and final of my Sky Ride’s in 2011. Approval given for redevelopment of Saatchi & Saatchi HQ On 19 September, I approved plans for a crucial new development of offices, homes and commercial space in the heart of London’s West End at 80 Charlotte Street & 65 Whitfield Street in Camden, known as the ‘Saatchi block’ after the world famous advertising agency, which currently occupies the buildings. The project will deliver more than 35,000 square metres of office space, 4,500 metres of commercial space and 57 new homes, 16 of which would be affordable. The site is vital to the prosperity of this part of the capital and to London’s wider economy. Policing and Community Safety Bernard Hogan-Howe appointed as the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. On 12 September, after interviewing the final four candidates with the Home Secretary, Bernard Hogan-Howe was appointed the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Londoners deserve strong and dynamic leadership at the helm of the country’s largest and most industrious police force, and I’m pleased to welcome the appointment of Bernard as the man who will deliver the firm, strategic lead our great city needs. Peace Awards and Team London On 20 September, I attended the annual Peace Awards at City Hall, where I presented Pauline Pearce, the ‘Hackney heroine’, who was caught on camera confronting rioters, with a special Team London Award. I praised the unsung heroes of the recent disorder for their help in restoring the spirit of the city and a range of courageous individuals were recognised for helping out in their communities. At the event, over a dozen people won awards for their work in crime reduction and motivational projects. Volunteer Jad Adams was also given a Team London Award for his 30 years of work with the homeless in Croydon. Jad was involved in helping over 100 families in August who lost their homes during one night of disorder. The Peace Awards are part of the annual Week of Peace that encourages people to make a positive difference. In partnership with the Peace Alliance, Team London is also sponsoring £7,500 worth of grass roots ‘Giving Back’ projects to improve youth clubs and play areas for young people. Community Conversations Programme On the 28 September, I attended the final Community Conversations Programme in Lambeth at the Lilian Baylis Technology School. This was an exciting round up to these successful events and I look forward to further conversations with local communities in the future. These events were an opportunity for the community to have direct contact with myself and GLA Officers to discuss one of my key priorities, tackling serious youth violence. They provided a platform for local people to share their experiences and views; promote and raise awareness of action and current action being taken to address youth crime; and to discuss, sign up and promote my Mentoring Programme. Training and Employment for Ex Offenders Having successfully trained ten ex-offenders for entry to the construction trade in the spring. I have funded a further cohort of training for a dozen ex-offenders, who will receive training before progressing into employment opportunities. Land Securites, has acted as the GLA’s strategic partner in co-ordinating the identification of employment opportunities across its supply chain. This programme supports the GLA’s activity to reduce re-offending rates in London. London Resilience Partnership On 1 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, chaired the London Resilience Partnership All-Informed Event at City Hall. The aim of the event was to share information with other responders, such as the emergency services, local authorities and others who are responsible for managing emergencies across the capital and which form the London Resilience Partnership. It was a successful event, attended by about 90 representatives from the 170 organisations in the Partnership. It also enabled my Deputy Mayor to set out the Vision of the London Local Resilience Forum, which he chairs, and to listen to the views of the London Resilience Partnership. Project Titan I have agreed to award a grant of £1.3 million for the Structured Activities for Young People Programme to the Safer London Foundation. Transport Improving the Management of Disruptive Roadworks On 21 September, I announced a new onslaught on disruptive roadworks on London's streets by asking Londoners to "name and shame" those who blight London with disruptive or neglected roadworks, causing hours of unnecessary frustration to journeys every day. I urged Londoners to use a new reporting system to tell TfL when roadworks are not up to scratch so they can take action with the relevant organisations and get things moving again. To help Londoners report disruptive or badly managed roadworks, TfL and I have updated and improved the 'Reportit' system on the TfL website, to allow people to identify and report issues quicker. By visiting www.tfl.gov.uk/roadworks, or by tweeting @report_it with the hashtag #roadworks, complaints can be sent directly to the highway authority responsible, ensuring that direct and swift action can be taken. TfL is also reducing the roadworks 'cap' - the maximum number of roadworks it allows on its roads at any one time - by a further ten per cent. This initiative is part of my longer-term strategy for improving the management of roadworks to free up London from unnecessary snarl ups. I have been working with the Government to put in place laws by next year that allow TfL to properly charge for working on its roads, incentivising companies to work more efficiently and at less disruptive times. TfL hope to introduce this from Spring 2012. Furthermore, through the London Permit Scheme and the Mayor's Code of Conduct for Roadworks, TfL has helped to reduce the amount of disruption on London's roads caused by roadworks.