12 October 2011 Thirty-Fourth Mayor's Report to the Assembly

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.

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

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.

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. My Deputy Mayor for Transport, Isabel Dedring, is also holding weekly meetings with TfL experts to examine sites that have been reported and what can be done to mitigate their effects. In addition, Metropolitan Police Service Traffic-trained Police Community Support Officers are now patrolling the TLRN, clamping down on disruptive roadworks and reporting them directly to TfL, CCTV will also be used to monitor activity and spot bad practice. TfL has also established a new standard in roadworks signage - giving Londoners clearer information about the roadworks affecting them, including what works are taking place and when activity should be taking place on site. This signage will be rolled out to all major TfL works by the end of the year.

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, 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.

All free and concessionary travel for older people, students, Veterans and disabled Londoners has been protected in full, which means that 40 per cent of bus passengers will continue to travel for free, or at a substantial concessionary rate.

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. Within this average there will be some TfL fares that go up less than 7 per cent, and some slightly more, either due to small increments in rounding or, because they are fares involving National Rail services. However, every effort has been made to ensure that this is distributed as evenly as possible across all individual fares.

Following my successful campaign last year to protect the Government’s contribution towards TfL funding, unprecedented investment in London’s transport network will continue totalling £12 billion over this four year term, an increase on the £8 billion investment during the previous administration. Not since the days of our Victorian forefathers has there been improvements of this scale, which includes upgrades and capacity increases ahead of 2012 and beyond to Crossrail. At the same time, I am focusing on providing value for public money by committing to find significant savings of £7.6 billion at TfL, over two thirds of which have now been secured.

The current investment programme includes upgrades to the Tube, now carrying a record 1.1 billion passengers a year, delivery of Crossrail, and the maintenance of London’s frequent, extensive, reliable and accessible bus network, which is now carrying almost 2.3 billion passengers a year. Further extensive improvements have also been made to the DLR and London Overground, both of which are also experiencing record ridership. Investment is vital for the transport network to continue to develop and improve, in order to meet future demand.

Income from fares is vital to ensure the on-going health of London’s transport network, keeping services running for the billions of passengers who rely on them day in, day out. This is a fares package that continues my aim to put TfL’s finances on a steady footing, moving us away from the boom and bust approach undertaken by my predecessor, when we saw a succession of draconian increases and knee-jerk, unaffordable pre-election freezes.

I approved the proposed revisions to TfL fares, to be implemented from 2 January 2012 and, signed the attached Direction to TfL under section 155 (1)(c) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 to implement these fares from that date.

Docklands Light Railway extension opens, marking one year to go to the 2012 Paralympic Games

On 31 August, the fully accessible DLR Stratford International extension opened, marking the completion of a key part of the 2012 Games transport network. The £211m extension runs from Stratford International to Canning Town and includes four new stations at Stratford International, Stratford High Street, Abbey Road and Star Lane.

The expansion of the DLR is a further demonstration of the improvements that the 2012 Games are making to our city. The extension completes the £500m upgrade of the DLR, which will bring a 50 per cent increase in capacity across the network. The new line will also provide a legacy of more direct access to London’s wider rail network for large numbers of people in Lower Lea Valley and help permanent regeneration in area.

Between 12 and 18 September – the week that Westfield Stratford City opened its doors to shoppers - around 130,000 customers used the Stratford International Extension. In addition, the previous daily record of 303,000 passengers on the whole network was shattered on 15 September, when 340,000 customers used the DLR.

Olympic park electric charging network to create air quality legacy

On 8 September, I announced plans for a network of charge points to support the Olympic and Paralympic zero-emission electric vehicle fleet. After the Games, the charge points will boost the growing Source London electric network.

The significant number of charge points provided by GE will ensure ample power supply (provided by EDF Energy) for the 2012 Games fleet of 200 BMW and Mini electric vehicles, helping to create the most sustainable Games ever. After the sporting events, the charge points will become part of Source London, a lasting legacy benefiting electric car drivers in the capital and especially those living or visiting the regenerated east of the city.

As a greater choice of electric cars comes onto the market, more and more Londoners will want to buy them, so it is great news that a network of charge points set to support the Olympic electric fleet next year, will go on to bolster Source London, creating a superb legacy for the capital's growing army of eco-drivers.

Bendy buses banished from route 73

On 3 September, another 43 bendy buses were banished from the streets of London, as Route 73 began operating with a fleet of new double-deckers on its route between Stoke Newington and Victoria.

This latest conversion means that seven of London’s twelve bendy bus routes have now been switched to single and double deck buses. It is now only a matter of months before the last of the bendy buses leave the capital, as the remaining five routes will be converted to double deck buses by the end of the year.

We are removing the fare evaders’ favourite form of transport and we hope to see a boost to revenue on this route as a result. TfL now estimates that when every bendy bus route has been converted, fare evasion will be cut by around £7.4m a year.

Brand new double deck buses are now being introduced on the route, with around half of the service run using hybrid buses, which are cleaner, quieter and lead to a substantial reduction in road pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

Transformation of Green Park station completed

On 5 September, TfL announced that the transformation of Green Park Tube station is nearing completion, with three new lifts already providing step-free access to the platforms and an attractive new ramped entrance with views of the park now in action. The changes mean customers are already benefiting from improvements being made to this key Olympic and Paralympic interchange, well ahead of the 2012 Games.

It is great news that passengers using Green Park Tube station every day can now take advantage of the huge improvements that have been made there. The £48m project to provide step-free facilities at the station has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget by

Tube Lines and London Underground (LU). Passengers with restricted mobility, as well as people with heavy luggage or buggies, can now use the new lifts at Green Park to access the Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee line platforms. Other work includes new flooring, ceiling, lighting, tiling and signage in the ticket hall, plus new entrances and lift lobbies.

During the 2012 Games, Green Park will be a key station, as it will enable customers to change onto the Jubilee line for access to the Olympic Park, Wembley and North Greenwich. It is also an interchange for travellers heading to Heathrow airport and other key transport hubs such as St.Pancras International rail station.

Businesses kept on track with a free 2012 Games support package

To best help businesses prepare, TfL and LOCOG have been providing workshops for small and medium sized enterprises and multisite companies located in transport hotspots, to plan how to run smoothly in the run up to, and during, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Games will present businesses with a huge opportunity; however, businesses will need to start planning now if they want to make the most of all they have to offer. Increased demand due to the Games will see transport networks severely affected and much busier than usual.

New online resource launched to help freight industry plan for the 2012 Games

TfL has released new online data to help freight companies manage deliveries and help plan the routes they use during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Companies can use the data to check whether individual postcodes in the capital will be affected by the Olympic Route Network, Central London Zone or road events. It will enable them to produce a list of both clients and locations that will be impacted during Games-time, and will be a timesaving tool when planning deliveries.

The information, which TfL has produced in conjunction with Royal Mail, is now available online at www.tfl.gov.uk/developers.

New Oyster system to help customers pay the correct fare

On 5 September, TfL launched a new facility for Oyster pay as you go customers who occasionally forget to touch out at the end of their Tube, DLR, Overground or National Rail journey.

At present, customers who do not touch out to complete their journey are charged the maximum Zone 1-6 fare. However, TfL has set up a new system so that if a passenger occasionally fails to touch in and out, then Oyster will aim to calculate their likely journey and charge the appropriate fare.

Oyster is the transport ticket of choice for most Londoners, and the vast majority of customers use it correctly and are charged the right fare for their journeys. However, a small minority of rail journeys are still not being touched in and out correctly and are being charged maximum fares. TfL do not want to penalise customers for occasionally forgetting, therefore, they are looking at ways of correcting journeys that have been left open without a final touch at the destination.

This new initiative is just one of the projects TfL is carrying out this year to improve the customer experience of Oyster. Enhancements are also being made to the information provided to Oyster online account users, including more detailed journey history. There are also plans to enable customers to use their online statements to raise queries and request refunds directly via the TfL website.

Getting to Westfield Stratford City

TfL has been advising shoppers travelling to the new Westfield Stratford City shopping centre to plan their journey and take advantage of new and upgraded transport links to the area, all of which are now complete and open to customers.

Hundreds of millions of pounds have been invested by partners, including TfL and the Olympic Delivery Authority, in new and upgraded stations and transport links to Stratford. In total, seven rail lines now serve Stratford Regional and Stratford International stations and four more bus routes now serve the new Stratford City Bus station.

The improvements are part of a £6.5bn investment across London and the UK, delivering a transport legacy well ahead of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, from which the capital will benefit for decades to come.

At Stratford Regional station, the upgrades and enhancements mean that capacity has trebled to accommodate 120,000 people at the busiest times. A new Northern Ticket Hall connects the station directly with Westfield Stratford City and a new pedestrian bridge links Westfield with the station and will provide a key gateway to the Olympic Park during the 2012 Games.

Drivers urged to join the 150,000 benefitting from Auto Pay

More than 150,000 drivers are now reaping the rewards of signing up to automatically pay the Congestion Charge (CC). By registering to use the CC Auto Pay system, drivers know they need never be fined again and the system is now the most popular way to pay the CC.

CC Auto Pay was introduced in January 2011, since then, over 3 million payments have been processed for over 200,000 vehicles registered to the 150,000 accounts set up. It provides a simple, easy way for drivers to automatically pay the CC, with customers getting a £1 discount from the £10 daily charge at the same time. Drivers who register will only ever be charged for the days they travel within the zone and charges will be automatically deducted from their nominated debit or credit card.

The benefits of CC Auto Pay are self evident and I am delighted that so many people have signed up for accounts. Drivers who do so are saving money and safe in the knowledge that they will never be fined for forgetting to pay.

Applying for Zip or Student Oyster photocard to avoid paying more

TfL has been reminding all young Londoners to get free or reduced cost travel by applying for their Oyster photocard as soon as possible. Zip Oyster photocards are available to young people between the ages of 5 to 18.

TfL currently provides over 750,000 Zip Oyster photocards which can be used across its services. The typical saving made on an 11-15 Zip photocard is £160 per year but the amount is even greater for 16+ Zip Oyster cardholders, with a typical saving of £450 per year.

I want all young Londoners to make the most of the travel concessions on offer to them and apply for or renew their Zip card with ample time for them to be processed. Once issued, TfL hope cardholders will hold onto their Zip by maintaining good behaviour on public transport.

UK Power Network chaos deeply frustrating and wholly unacceptable

On 12 September, thousands of people had their journey into London disrupted after Upper Thames Street in central London was reduced to one lane following uncoordinated utility works by UK Power Network.

The emergency works began on the Friday evening, to repair a high voltage cable underneath the street. However, the company failed to notify TfL that the work was taking place, and to make matters worse, when TfL contacted UK Power Network over the weekend, relevant officials were uncontactable and their customer service department unaware of the works. At the height of the morning peak, westbound traffic was queuing back to the Limehouse Link tunnel, causing further delays to traffic across both Southwark and Tower Bridge.

I wish to assure Londoners that both TfL and I will not tolerate this behaviour. A consultation is now underway on a lane rental scheme that would charge utility companies, according to the amount of time they disrupt London’s streets, and incidents like this show why such a system is essential.

Acting to save 812 PlusBus route

I have stepped in to save the 812 PlusBus from being withdrawn, guaranteeing that the service can continue for at least another four years.

The service, which runs between Hoxton and Angel and is used mainly by older people, was due to be cut by Islington Council this financial year. The service has always been funded locally and TfL has not previously been called on to contribute.

However, when local councillors appealed to me to save the PlusBus, I turned to TfL and asked if they could help keep the service running by providing £200,000 to the council to operate the service for the next two years. This has now been agreed, with Islington Council committing to resume funding the valued bus route for at least another two years beyond that.

It would have been wrong for the many older residents who rely on this service to suffer if the borough withdrew their funding for this service.

New escalators for Custom House station

New escalators at Custom House DLR station have opened, boosting the capacity of the station by 72 per cent ready for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The two new escalators will be able to carry 200 people per minute during the Games and major ExCeL events. They have been delivered a month ahead of schedule and will be a massive help in tackling congestion at the station, especially during the 2012 Games. Once Crossrail is built, the legacy of the new escalators will also be to provide an efficient interchange with the new railway.

Work to install the two sets of 77-step escalators began in February, with a project cost £2.7m, including £600,000 contributed by the Olympic Delivery Authority.

A further package of improvements is planned for stations along the Eastern DLR route, from Poplar to Beckton and Poplar to Woolwich, later this year. These improvements will deliver better lighting, new seating and enhanced information displays for passengers.

LU reaches agreement with drivers’ unions over Olympics and Paralympics working arrangements

LU has reached agreement with train drivers’ unions over temporary changes to working arrangements and payments during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The agreement follows six months of constructive discussions with union representatives and will allow LU to meet the demands of extended services in the most efficient way.

In return for agreeing to these temporary changes to existing working arrangements during the Games, all train drivers employed by LU on 26 July 2012 will receive a one-off payment of £500. In addition, shifts of a certain duration or, which finish after 01:30hrs, will attract extra payments. The change of working arrangements and rewards are separate to the ongoing discussions on pay which LU and the unions are engaged in.

This agreement is a good deal for LU, drivers and those thousands of customers who will be attending the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I am committed to ensuring that the Tube service we provide contributes to the successful operation of the Games and I am pleased that LU and the unions have been able to engage in constructive dialogue to reach this agreement.

Opening of St George Wharf Pier

On 14 September, I opened a £1.7 million floating passenger pier and new river transport service at St George Wharf in South West London. This is a major new development which supports my vision of increasing pier capacity on the Thames by 20 per cent. Located on the front of St George Wharf, River Bus operator Thames Clippers will provide the pier with a new high speed river service west of Waterloo. This will open the West of the River Thames to nearby residents and the wider public for the first time in two decades.

The service ‘Tate to Tate & Service West’, will run from 3 October, every 40 minutes, for seven days a week from St George Wharf and will take commuters and visitors into central London, the City and Canary Wharf. St George PLC worked in partnership with the GLA, TfL, Lambeth Council, the Port of London Authority and Thames Clippers to help provide this new piece of transport infrastructure for Vauxhall, Lambeth and South London.

Crossrail confirms signalling system shortlist

On 21 September, Crossrail confirmed the shortlist for the central section signalling system. The following organisations will be invited to tender later this year;

o Bombardier Transportation UK Limited o Invensys Rail Limited o Siemens PLC o Signalling Solutions Limited o Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Limited

The new signalling system will incorporate Automatic Train Operation to support the delivery of a reliable, high-frequency metro service and must also be capable of enhancement to 30 trains per hour through the central section at a later date.

Crossrail begins procurement for major tunnel fit-out works

On 21 September, Crossrail announced that a contract notice has been placed in the Official Journal of the European Union seeking expressions of interest for the major fit-out of the new rail tunnels. The indicative value of the contract is in the region of £400m.

As construction concludes, an equally herculean task will get to underway to fit-out the tunnels with tracks and other equipment to enable Crossrail trains to operate from 2018. This will include the installation of over 40km of track, overhead electric conductor rails to power the trains, as well as ventilation and drainage systems.

This major contract will contribute towards the creation of further employment opportunities on Crossrail. Up to 14,000 people will be employed on the Crossrail project at the height of construction between 2013 and 2015.

Manufacturer selected for remaining Crossrail tunnel boring machines

On 22 September, Crossrail announced that the remaining two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) required to construct Crossrail will be manufactured by Herrenknecht AG, Germany. These final two TBMs will dig Crossrail’s Thames Tunnel in south-east London.

To construct the 21km of twin-bored tunnel required for Crossrail, eight tunnel boring machines will be required and will undertake ten individual tunnel drives to construct the 6m diameter rail tunnels. The first two TBMs will launch from Royal Oak in spring 2012.

Earlier this year, Herrenknecht AG was selected by the major tunnelling contractors to build the first six tunnel boring machines for Crossrail.

Chart toppers Rizzle Kicks team up with TfL to help reduce teenage road casualties in London

On 26 September, as part of the latest campaign to improve teen road safety, TfL issued a call to London’s youth to come up with ideas to help fellow young Londoners avoid road accidents whether they are using mobile phones, MP3 players, or simply talking to friends.

Popular website Teen Today has signed up to this year’s campaign asking young Londoners to come up with their best road safety distraction slogan. The teen who comes up with the best slogan will win a ‘distraction date’, along with two friends, with Rizzle Kicks, who recently dominated the charts with a number one and a number eight single in the same week. The band kindly donated their time to support the campaign for free.

Teenagers are a vulnerable road user group. The latest road casualty report shows that last year 258 teenagers (aged 13-19) were killed or seriously injured on London roads compared to 301 in 2009, a reduction of 14 per cent. Since 2000, the number of teenagers killed or seriously injured has fallen by 62 per cent.

Cable Car for London

I have given consent (as required by section 20(4) of the Transport and Works Act 1992 (as amended by section 168 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999)), to authorise TfL (through its subsidiary Docklands Light Railway Limited) to submit an application for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992, for a number of ancillary powers and protections in respect of the Cable Car for London.

European Regional Development Fund funding for the Cable Car

I have approved TfL’s £8 million European Regional Development Fund application to part- fund the London Cable Car and I have delegated authority to the Executive Director of Resources to enter into an agreement with TfL should EC approval be given.

Economic and Business Policy

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 High Street Fund was set up in August by a group of the UK’s leading companies to work local authorities and me, in order to help businesses across the country recover from the damage caused by the disturbances.

Applications for funding are coming in from around the country and claims now being paid, whilst more businesses are being encouraged to come forward. Claims can be made using a form that can be downloaded from the High Street Fund’s website at: www.thehighstreetfund.co.uk and there is also a freephone helpline available on 0800 093 5858.

Local businesses bouncing back with investment from the High Street Fund

On 22 September, I revealed that more than £88,000 from The High Street Fund has been paid out to shops and businesses that were damaged during last month’s riots in Croydon.

I was visiting neighbouring Sutton for the latest of my ‘Talk London’ events, where local people had the chance to quiz me on community safety issues. At the event, I gave the audience an update on how Londoners across the capital are pulling together to support local firms in the aftermath of last month’s disturbances.

More than 40 businesses in the Croydon area have so far made successful claims from the High Street Fund. At the event, I also took the opportunity to urge both Sutton and Croydon to submit bids for funding from my £50 million Outer London Fund.

Bromley's plans for Outer London Fund investment

On 20 September, I visited Bromley to see how a £308,000 grant from my Outer London Fund will be used to help transform the town centre.

Plans for Bromley town centre include improvements to shop fronts and improving links between the green spaces of Church House Gardens and the high street. The grant will also be invested to support the Bromley Traditional Christmas Fayre and run a programme of events, including a Street Theatre Festival, to highlight positive change in the area.

More than £450,000 from the Outer London Fund has been awarded to the Borough as a whole, with Orpington and Penge town centres also receiving £90,000 and £70,000 respectively.

I also addressed 'Invest Bromley', a private–sector led conference attended by local businesses, developers and investors and backed its £1 billion regeneration action plan to create economic growth and prosperity, harnessing City Hall's significant investment across the borough.

Creation of a Venture Capital Fund

I have approved the allocation of £6 million of the European Regional Development Fund to the creation of a Venture Capital Fund.

Launch of Land Securities’ London Employment Strategy

On 13 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended and spoke at the launch of the Land Securities’ London Employment Strategy at the Guildhall in the City of London. The strategy aims to support and open up opportunities for employment, skills and training to Londoners across the capital on Land Securities’ sites.

Park Royal Association

On 16 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, met with the Park Royal Association in Park Royal.

City of London’s The Dragon Awards Dinner

On 20 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended the City of London’s Dragon Awards Dinner at The Mansion House. The awards recognise business involvement across the city.

Hillingdon Jobs and Learning Fair

On 21 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended the Hillingdon Jobs and Learning Fair in Uxbridge. The event was an opportunity for local people to meet prospective employers and it emphasised the Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ scheme. Richard met local employers, training providers and local people at the Fair.

Capital announces interest in dot London top level domain application

On 22 September, it was announced that London is interested in applying for the 10 year ICANN licence to operate a new gTLD (top level web domain) for London. I am leading on this

process, working with London & Partners, the official promotional agency for the capital. During the initial analysis phase, a project team will be looking at the benefits and operational, funding and revenue models of dot London.

I am keen to see a greater use of the digital world to deliver more effective public services for the city, and see this as a potential opportunity to build on London’s position as a global centre for digital innovation.

London will be joining a number of other cities who have expressed their interest in applying for their relevant city gTLDs including New York, Paris, Sydney, Rome and Berlin. ICANN will receive applications between 12 January and 12 April 2012 and this will be followed by a review process taking anything from 9 – 20 months.

Environment

£100m+ Funding boost to green London’s public buildings

On 2 September, I announced that hundreds of public buildings in London, including schools, libraries and hospitals, are set to get a green makeover, with low cost loans from a new £100 million fund.

I have agreed a £50 million contribution from the London Green Fund to set up this new fund, which will be known as the London Energy Efficiency Fund (LEEF). LEEF will be led by Amber Infrastructure Limited, a leading sponsor and manager of social and economic infrastructure projects, who will work with ARUP acting as a technical adviser. Amber has already expanded the fund's value, with upfront commitments of £50 million from RBS and the company is expected to leverage in further amounts over the life of the project.

London's public buildings are responsible for 10 per cent of the capital's carbon emissions. Retrofitting these buildings with energy reduction measures will not only cut fuel bills and emissions, it is also a valuable investment opportunity, estimated to be worth billions to the London economy, helping to create jobs and develop skills. A team of experts will be available to help speed public buildings through retrofitting programmes.

It is anticipated that many of the projects to be funded will use my RE:FIT programme model, which has already saved one million pounds a year from the energy bills of 42 public buildings in the GLA group. RE:FIT is pioneering and award-winning, and is being adopted across the UK, as well as attracting interest from around the world. Buildings that have taken up the scheme have seen their energy efficiency improved by as much as 40 per cent.

The RE:FIT programme is about to ramp up significantly, following the selection of Turner & Townsend, supported by PA Consulting Group, as preferred bidder to run a RE:FIT Programme Delivery Unit to support hundreds more organisations through the process, which includes building and carbon assessment, securing funding, procurement and implementation. This team will be in place for three years and is likely to be in place by the end of September 2011.

Cleaner Air for London - Green wall for Edgware Road Tube station

On 26 September, TfL unveiled further measures to clean up London's air in areas of busy traffic. This includes the announcement that Edgware Road Tube station will soon feature an innovative 'green wall' to help trap harmful pollution.

The initiatives, announced on World Environmental Health Day, are part of the London Clean

Air Fund, which could reduce levels of PM10, a pollutant coming mostly from traffic emissions, by between 10-20 per cent where applied.

Air quality modelling shows that the vast majority of London already meets the European

Commission limit value for annual average PM10, however, there are some local hot spots identified as being 'at risk' of exceeding limits. The European Commission recently confirmed to Government that my plans to reduce PM10 pollution by a third by 2015, including the work of the Clean Air Fund, has lifted the threat of hefty fines.

Helping homes across nine additional boroughs get energy efficient

On 27 September, I urged eligible Londoners to benefit from the RE:NEW programme, which is giving homes across a further nine boroughs in the capital an energy efficiency makeover.

Homes in specific areas in Wandsworth, Croydon, Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Hounslow are the next to benefit from RE:NEW, helping to save hundreds of pounds off Londoners energy bills. More information can be found at: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/climate-change/energy- efficiency/RENEW/get-involved

The RE:NEW programme has already begun in Lewisham, Waltham Forest, Newham and Barking and Dagenham, with 1,742 homes being treated with energy and water efficiency measures since the roll out of the scheme. In addition, thousands of housing association tenants are benefitting from solar panels and cheaper energy bills, 1,500 homes had had panels installed so far, with a further 22,500 homes to follow in the next few months.

RE:LEAF

On 20 September, I approved funding of £30,860 to three projects that will help meet my ambition to increase tree canopy cover in the capital.

Trees for Cities will receive up to £12,000 as a contribution to its costs of a mass tree planting event it is holding in February 2012. The London Orchard Project will receive up to £1,357 towards its costs of procuring apple trees for its Apple Day events on 16, 22 & 23 October 2011. Finally, the London Wildlife Trust will be provided with up to £17,500 to the cost of its ‘Family Tree: Trees from Seed’ seed collection events to be held between 23 September to 23 October 2011.

Tree-Athlon

On 17 September, my Director of Environment and Digital London, Kulveer Ranger, attended the Trees for Cities Tree-Athlon to help raise funds for 5000 new trees in London.

Capital Clean-up

On 5 September, my Director of Environment and Digital London, Kulveer Ranger, attended my Capital Clean-up campaign’s biggest ever litter pick in Tottenham Marshes to mark the start of the campaign’s September activities.

The event saw a 250-strong group of volunteers removing litter from over 50 acres of scrub and woodland, the largest single clean-up in the campaign's five year history. The campaign coordinates activity across the capital, to clean up London's untidy and neglected spaces ahead of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To date, 200 Capital Clean-up events have been registered across London this year, leading to 1,700 Londoners clearing 230 square metres of graffiti and collecting 200 bags of litter. Over 40 events were registered which were open to the public in the month of September, and I am encouraging Londoners to visit the campaign website www.london.gov.uk/capitalclean-up to find out how to get involved.

Recycle for London

The Nice Save recycling campaign has seen more borough participation than any previous Recycle for London campaign. More than 100 borough recycling vehicles are now carrying the Nice Save campaign, promoting the significant financial savings that the London boroughs have made through recycling rather than sending waste to landfill. London boroughs have chipped in with free advertising poster space on high streets throughout Greater London, generating around £100,000 of free media for the campaign to date.

Recycle for London has also accepted the invitation to act as regional organiser for European Week of Waste Reduction, between 19 -27 November, and is working with the boroughs to plan a series of events to reduce London's food waste.

Capital Growth Open Day

On 3 September, my Capital Growth programme held its second annual open day. 50 community food growing spaces opened their doors to the public and invited them in to find out more about the grow your own revolution that is taking place in London.

People enjoyed a variety of activities on the day, including cycling and walking tours, spaces sold produce, held barbeques, gave gardening advice, set up games and activities for children and raised money for next season's growing activities. Thousands of Londoners took the opportunity to visit the projects and enjoy the community atmosphere of these unique public green spaces. The hope is that the event will inspire many more Londoners to pick up a shovel and trowel and set up spaces of their own as we make our way towards achieving our target of creating 2,012 new food growing spaces by the end of 2012.

Over 1,200 have been created to date and during October, a new grants round will be opened to encourage more people to get involved and to support communities to keep growing over the winter season. More information can be found at www.capitalgrowth.org.

London In Bloom Awards

On 16 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended the annual London In Bloom awards in London’s Living Room at City Hall and assisted in the giving of prizes.

Children and Young People

Wise Up

On 24 September, around 150 children in care and foster carers, attended my third and biggest Wise Up event at City Hall. The event was organised in partnership with Action for Children, the Prince’s Trust and the Fostering Network. The day was co-chaired by David Akinsanya (the TV presenter, producer and a care leaver) and Jerome Harvey-Agyei (a young person who has experience of living in care).

I was represented at the event by my Advisor on Health and Families, Pam Chesters, and I also sent a video message of support, in which I urged the children to make the most of the day to find out about jobs, further and higher education, volunteering opportunities or how to start their own business.

The event was a great success in inspiring children in care from across London to make plans for what they want to achieve in life, broadening their horizons, and to realise their ambitions. The young people enjoyed the many options of interactive workshops and motivational activities, run by Channel 4, MyBnk, The Prince’s Trust, the University of Greenwich, University of the Arts London, VSO Global Xchange and Barking and Dagenham College. In addition, there were ‘market stalls’ run by Barclays, the Who Cares Trust, VoiceYP, A National Voice, Connexions, Stepping Up UK, IntoUniversity and several London and UK universities.

Helpings parents tackle challenging kids with Parent Gym

On 23 September, I visited Shaftesbury Park Primary School in Battersea, to announce that a free scheme that gives parents practical solutions for dealing with children with challenging behaviour is to be rolled out across London.

After the recent disorder in August, involving children as young as 11, many people citied poor parenting skills as a contributing factor, whilst some parents voiced concern over a lack of support from authorities.

Parent Gym offers a real solution to parents facing challenges with their children. The nine week course offers practical support on a range of issues, from effective discipline and behavioral issues, to nutrition advice and literacy support. The scheme currently runs in 27 schools in the most disadvantaged boroughs and I am helping its expansion with the recruitment of Parent Gym coaches through my Team London volunteering project.

Piloted in Northern Ireland as well as London, parents who complete the course report increased levels of confidence, and their children have less behavioural issues. The final session helps parents set up their own group to keep supporting one another going forward. Parent Gym is funded by the philanthropic scheme ‘The Mind Gym’ and is free to parents and schools.

British Transport Police’s Youth Board Conference

On 24 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended the British Transport Police’s Youth Board Conference at New Scotland Yard.

The Conference aimed to discuss the causes of last month’s disturbances in the capital. Richard spoke briefly to those attending and also sat on a panel taking questions from young people.

Opening a new generation primary school in Havering

On 27 September, I visited Havering to officially open one of the borough’s new primary schools, the first built in Havering for more than 30 years.

Elm Park Primary is a completely modern school to teach a new generation of pupils. It boasts top-of-the-range ICT technology to provide a flexible approach for teaching and learning, and ensure children are comfortable using new technology.

The school is also environmentally friendly, with a sedum grass roof covering part of the building and a biomass boiler which runs on recycled wood pellets. In addition, a ventilation system regulates the temperature within the school, so there is no need for heating or air conditioning.

Social Inclusion and Health

Team London programme to get 600 older people online

My pioneering Team London programme to increase volunteering across the capital is currently recruiting hundreds of young people to teach 600 over 60s how to join the online world.

I have provided over £200,000 to enable 600 older people to learn valuable computer skills from 375 volunteers aged 16-18, recruited through Age UK London's MiCommunity digital project. Getting the ball rolling, volunteers from the MiCommunity programme took part in Age UK's national ‘I.Tea & Biscuits’ week of free tutorials for the over 60s, with over 60 events taking place across London. Team London volunteers assisted with local ‘I.Tea & Biscuits’ sessions in Croydon, Sutton and at City Hall on, 20, 21, and 22 September.

The funding will allow Age UK London and MiCommunity to place young Team London digital volunteers in 10 of London’s boroughs, based on the most need. The young volunteers trained through the MiCommunity project, will teach older people how to use the internet to email, download photos, shop online, or use programmes such as Skype, and social media as easy ways to get online and stay in touch. Those taking part will also learn basic computer skills if they don’t have any, how to use mobile phones, to surf the net or use a digital camera.

Polish Royal Air Force Memorial Ceremony

On 3 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended the Polish Royal Air Force Memorial Ceremony at the Polish Air Force Memorial in West London.

Global Policy Forum 2011

On 5 - 9 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended and spoke at the Global Policy Forum 2011, held in Yaroslavl, Russia. The Forum was hosted by the President of the Russian Federation, Mr Dmitry Medvedev. The theme of the Forum for this year was ‘The Modern State in the Age of Social Diversity’.

The Forum has become an open and influential international discussion event within the world political and intellectual arena and serves as a platform for representatives of all countries to jointly generate the criteria of modern efficient democratic statehood. Richard gave two

important speeches at the Forum, contributed widely to a host of workshops and debates, as well as promoting my work on social and diversity policy.

The Worshipful Company of Upholders

On 13 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended as the Guest Speaker at the Autumn Livery Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Upholders at Butchers Hall in the City of London.

Resolution Property’s Young Carers Fundraiser Gala

On 14 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended and spoke at Resolution Property’s Young Carers Fundraiser Gala in central London.

Brunel University’s Students’ Freshers’ Fayre

On 20 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, opened Brunel University’s Students’ Freshers’ Fayre at Brunel University in West London. Over 200 exhibitors, including some 115 clubs and societies, gathered to promote some of the extra curricular activities that students can get involved in.

Visit to Ahmadiyyan Mosque

On 23 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, visited the Ahmadiyyan Mosque in South Morden. Richard was welcomed by senior representatives of the community to the Mosque and after a brief tour proceeded to discuss matters of importance to the community in London with them.

Peace For Humanity Conference

On 24 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended and made a speech at the ‘Peace for Humanity’ Conference at Wembley Arena. Richard spoke on community cohesion, faith relationships and harmony across London following last months’ riots.

Brighter Futures

On 28 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended and launched the ‘Brighter Futures’ Award on the second floor exhibition area of City Hall. The awards were given to social work professionals who showed excellence in the support they give to young asylum seekers and refugees.

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Legacy and Sport

Get online, stay in touch for London 2012

On 22 September, alongside the Olympics Transport Minister, Theresa Villiers MP, I attended the 'Making 2012 work for you' conference and called on London’s small and medium sized firms to take full advantage of the latest wireless technology to ensure the smooth running of their business during the 2012 Games.

I revealed plans by BT to ramp up its number of Wi-Fi hotspots in the capital to 500,000 in time for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I also urged small businesses to act now and explore how the capital’s expanding Wi-Fi network could provide them with a low or no-cost way of working remotely, staying in touch with customers, suppliers and staff and accessing real time travel information.

I want to see London’s Wi-Fi network vastly expanded as part of my plans for delivering a lasting communications legacy from the London Games. Working closely with all the major network providers, plans are already underway to ensure London has some of the best and fastest Wi-Fi internet connections by next summer. TfL is currently searching for a provider to supply Wi-Fi to 120 Underground stations, helping Londoners and visitors stay informed while on the move and there are also plans to create a series of Wi-Fi hubs using bus stops near to, and around, tube stations.

Businesses in the capital will also be able to plan ahead for the 2012 Games by using a new TfL website offering a ‘one stop shop’ for Games-time transport information. The site will provide clear, easy to access, detailed information about the Olympic Route Network and other road restrictions on key dates in the London 2012 calendar, as a new Freight Solutions Calendar so businesses can better plan their deliveries and despatch. Nearer to Games it will provide the latest information on anticipated queuing times at Tube, DLR, London Overground and key National Rail stations as well as maps showing travel times between busy points in the city helping businesses plan journey times and anticipate delays.

To access the TfL transport information portal visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/2012.

London launches pioneering new charity

On 26 September, London launched a pioneering new charity The Legacy List, which has been established to support the long term cultural, social and physical regeneration of London’s future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and its surroundings.

Launched by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) and me, it will be led by Sarah Weir, former Head of Arts and Culture Strategy for Olympic Delivery Authority, and jointly chaired by Anita Zabludowicz, philanthropist and art collector, and Mark Florman, CEO of BVCA.

The Legacy List will actively engage people in the transformation of the park and their own lives, by finding and funding a series of imaginative commissions which will connect people with the park, its waterways and its history, including the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The focus of all of these unique places, programmes and partnerships will be arts and culture, education and skills.

To celebrate the launch of The Legacy List and the beginning of the fundraising campaign, I hosted a private reception and auction of Bell bicycle helmets designed by some of the UK’s finest artists, including Tracey Emin, Ron Arad, Peter Blake, Gavin Turk and Marc Quinn.

Government and Parliamentary Relations

Memorial Service for Oslo Bombing and Shootings

On 23 September, my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended the Memorial Service at Southwark Cathedral for the victims of the recent Oslo bombing and shootings.

Culture and Events

Liberty Festival hits the Southbank

On 3 September, the popular Liberty festival was staged on the South Bank for the first time. The annual showcase of deaf and disabled artists, which has previously been staged in Trafalgar Square, took place at two sites, the Southbank Centre (Royal Festival Hall), as part of its celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the Festival of Britain and the National Theatre, as part of the Watch This Space Festival. I was represented at the event by my Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, who addressed the audience in the Royal Festival Hall.

The event, which was coordinated by the GLA and produced and curated by the team at Greenwich+Docklands Festivals, was open to all and included the usual lively mix of music and performances.

The free event coincided with ‘one year to’ go to the 2012 Paralympic Games and featured a programme of cultural and arts activity that showcased the creativity of disabled people, and gave an indication of what is to come as we approach the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Included in the programme were zones for Music and Cabaret, Children’s Activity, Aerial Performance and Street Arts. As in previous years, the Liberty Festival was organised to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, and was attended by a very mixed audience of disabled and non-disabled people.

More information can be found at: www.london.gov.uk/liberty

02 London Mela

On 4 September, the 02 London Mela, Europe’s largest outdoor Asian festival, returned to Gunnersbury Park, Ealing. I was represented at the event by my Advisor on Culture and Youth, Munira Mirza.

Last year’s Mela attracted a record-breaking 92,000 people, and this year the festival was even bigger and better than ever, with nine zones, including The Main Stage, Mix Tent, BBC Introducing, The Classical Stage, Community & Kids Zone, Outdoor arts and ‘In Conversation With’, not to mention the food markets and funfair.

Free, family-friendly and universally loved, the 02 London Mela was produced by Ealing Council and supported by the GLA and the London Borough of Hounslow, with BBC Asian Network programming the main stage for the sixth successive year. Featuring a huge variety of artists from around the world, as well as a plethora of homegrown acts, the 02 London Mela had something for everyone. Acts and those who attended the event included, Jay Sean, Mumzy Stranger, Amir Khan, Humza Badman, Ash King and artist and former head of Culture for London 2012, Keith Khan.

More information on the festival can be found at: www.londonmela.org

Mayor of London’s Sky Ride returns to the capital

Participants were treated to a whole host of activities and entertainment along the route and in the green open spaces of St James’s Park. Highlights included Go Ride, a skill based course for kids to take part in and improve their cycling skills, an interactive family zone, buskers along the route providing a soundtrack to the participants’ rides and the ‘Keep Cycling Zone’, which offered hints, tips and advice on all the other fantastic ways to get back on your bike. The event marked the third and final of my Sky Ride’s in 2011, which form part of my cycling revolution.

BFI London Film Festival 2011

On 7 September, I reaffirmed my commitment to the film sector by announcing my support for this year's BFI London Film Festival Centrepiece Gala, ‚The Descendants‛, directed by Alexander Payne and staring George Clooney. I have also provided funding for the Festival Industry Office, which provides career guidance sessions and training initiatives, as well as networking opportunities. The Festival runs from 12-27 October.

In 2010, UK film production spend hit a record level of £1.1 billion – around 75 per cent of it concentrated in London and the South East – and additional revenue is generated from spending and tourism associated with films made in the capital. In the last six months, features shot in and around London have generated more than £575m for the capital. I'm particularly pleased that the opening and closing night films have been shot in the capital with great British talent.

For more information go to www.bfi.org.uk/lff.

Big Dance

In preparation for Big Dance 2012, the Big Dance Micro Grants programme opened on 5 September. Londoners can apply for 100 grants of £1,000 to support dance activity between 18 May and 15 July 2012.

Mayor's Thames Festival

On 10 and 11 September, the annual Mayor’s Thames Festival took place at sites along the South Bank and Victoria Embankment, with over 800,000 people attending. The Festival is London’s biggest free family-friendly and open art festival showcasing the best in street arts, pyrotechnics, river events, music, food and much more.

The Festival commissioned new work as a showcase of the city’s creativity, working with hundreds of artists and art groups and engaging over 10,000 young people via the festival’s year-round education and outreach programme.

Fashion Industry collaboration with the Olympic & Paralympic Games

On 16 September, I opened London Fashion Week alongside British Fashion Council Chairman Harold Tillman.

I also announced The Britain Creates 2012 project. Special commissions will bring together pairs of leading artists and fashion designers such as Christopher Bailey for Burberry, Charming Baker, Sarah Burton, Hussein Chalayan, Giles Deacon, Jeremy Deller, Jess Flood-Paddock, Christopher Kane, Marc Quinn and Paul Smith. They will work together across different artistic mediums. Leading creative figures will bring the Olympic and Paralympic values to life through a project that will salute the longstanding connection between fashion and the visual arts and show that when great minds collide, amazing things happen.

The pieces will be unveiled in June 2012 at a Gala event in central London. They will then be exhibited to the public throughout the London 2012 Festival period. Further details will be announced by LOCOG in autumn 2011.

London Design Festival

On 17 September, the London Design Festival launched nine amazing days of design events that showcase the UK's world-class creative community. With over 200 events, the majority of which were free, the Festival programme reflected the widest possible range of design interests.

Each year the London Design Festival offers some of the world's most remarkable designers and architects the chance to experiment with new materials, techniques, concepts and spaces.

Klezmer in the Park

On 11 September, I supported Klezmer in the Park, a celebration of Jewish culture, which was organised by the Jewish Music Institute for Jewish Culture UK and in collaboration with other Jewish community and cultural groups. My Director of Marketing, Dan Ritterband, attended Klezmer in the Park on my behalf.

The event saw some of Britain’s most famous klezmer bands perform, highlighting the variety of klezmer music today from its centuries old Jewish roots to links with contemporary jazz, Latin, gypsy and world music. Community and cultural groups exhibited at the event, which was attended by approximately 6,000 people.

Malaysia Night Market

On 23 September, the Malaysia Night Market event took place in Trafalgar Square, an event organised by Malaysia Kitchen, a trade initiative to encourage awareness of Malaysian cuisine in the UK. My Statutory Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes attended the event on my behalf.

A vibrant stage show comprised performances of traditional dance and music, including artists from Malaysia. There was a traditional crafts area and several Malaysian restaurants from London had stalls at the event, which brought to life the evocative sights, sounds and smells of a Malaysian Night Market in the heart of the city.

Eid

On 24 September, the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr took place in Trafalgar Square, where a crowd of over 25,000 came to celebrate this cultural event which follows the month-long holy fast of Ramadan. The event was organised by my Events for London team in conjunction with the Eid committee (a group of Muslim community organisations).

The stage programme of the day was designed to reflect the ethnic diversity, culture and language of the varied Muslim communities in London. There were performances in different languages: French, Arabic, English, Urdu and others. Performers and artists come from various backgrounds, including origins from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, North Africa, Somalia, Egypt, Venezuela, the Middle East and Canada. Many of these performers now make London their home. In addition, there was a souk, free activities for children organised by a local conglomerate of youth groups orchestrated by the Scouts and Halal festive food.

Mayor's Fund for Young Musicians

On 28 September, I attended a fundraising breakfast for the Mayor's Fund for Young Musicians (MFYM). The breakfast, sponsored by M&C Saatchi, included BBC Radio 4 news presenter Sue MacGregor CBE and me 'in Conversation', followed by an auction conducted by Lord Dalmeny.

Initial pledges are looking healthy and the Fund is on track to launch its first round of activity in January. By 2015, MFYM aims to provide up to 1,000 music scholarships for talented primary school children who can't afford the cost of learning. The Fund will also give tens-of- thousands of young people the chance to work with London's top professional musicians.

GLA Organisation

Establishment of the Investment & Performance Board

I have directed the LDA, under section 27 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, to consult the GLA’s Head of Paid Service before entering into any commitment to incur expenditure of £50,000 or above.

I have also endorsed the establishment of the GLA Investment & Performance Board, chaired by my Chief of Staff, in order to advise me on the matters set out in its terms of reference.

Adoption and Paternity Policy

I have responded to a consultation on the proposed revisions to the GLA’s Adoption and Paternity policies, in respect of staff appointed by the Head of Paid Service, under s67(2) of the GLA Act 1999 (as amended).

I have agreed that upon the Head of Paid service agreeing to the proposed revisions to the Adoption and Paternity policies, the proposed changes should apply to the officers appointed by the Mayor under s67(1) of the GLA Act 1999 (as amended).

Finally, upon the Head of Paid service agreeing to the proposed revisions to the Adoption and Paternity policies, I agree (noting it is a joint decision with the Assembly) that the proposed changes should apply to the statutory officers.

Appointments

Community Infrastructure Levy

I have agreed to appoint Keith Holland BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI ARICS, as examiner, to conduct the public examination of my draft charging schedule.

I have awarded a contract to the Planning Inspectorate, as the basis for the appointment and, to facilitate the appointment of the examiner and the holding of the public examination (with a value of up to £100,000), and a related exemption from the requirements of section 3.8 of the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code.

Planning and Development Control

Developers invited to design new Silvertown Quays

On September 9, the LDA, in partnership with Newham Council, announced a shortlist of seven developers invited to submit proposals to develop the Silvertown Quays site in the Royal Docks.

The shortlist includes a list of top UK property developers, which demonstrates the strength of market interest in the 50 acre site. The shortlist is as follows:

o St George Central London Limited o Development Securities Consortium (Development Securities PLC, Kier Limited, Grainger PLC and Places for People Homes Limited) o Hutchinson Whampoa Properties (Europe) Ltd o Stanhope PLC o The British Land Company PLC and Barratt Developments PLC Consortium o Chelsfield Consortium (Chelsfield Partners LLP, First Base Limited and Imagination Europe Limited) o DV4 Limited (advised by Delancey Real Estate Asset Management Limited) (Delancey)

The shortlisted developers are required to submit outline proposals in October 2011, which will fulfill the world class ambitions envisaged for the site.

London Development Agency and Matching Green plan Offley Works Modernisation

The LDA and its development partner ‚Matching Green‛ have announced the submission of a joint planning application to modernise Offley Works, a semi-derelict industrial building complex near Oval in South London.

The proposals will transform the site by restoring, converting and extending the existing buildings to create a vibrant mix of commercial and residential space. The proposals follow a competition won by architects 6a. The design will create new business space, aimed at small firms, and seven mews houses and two apartments. The refurbishment will include a range of environmental improvements, such as solar panels which will reduce the buildings’ carbon emissions.

Matching Green anticipate starting the physical renovations on the site in January 2012, subject to securing planning permission from the London Borough of Lambeth.

Draft London View Management Framework Supplementary Planning Guidance 2011

I approved the Draft London View Management Framework Supplementary Planning Guidance 2011 and agreed to its publication for public consultation for a period of 3 months.

Community Infrastructure Levy

On 31 August, I submitted my draft Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedule for public examination, in accordance with the Planning Act 2008. The examination is likely to take place in late November.

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 and its location, part of what is an internationally renowned creative commercial centre, is vital to the prosperity of this part of the capital and to London’s wider economy. Conditions attached to the application will see the developers agree to a number of provisions, including affordable housing units and a £1.6 million contribution towards Crossrail, the high frequency rail service that will link east and west London. The application will also see more than £120,000 being channelled into education and local community facilities. A further £150,000 will be invested into street improvements and highway works, including better signage and 226 cycle parking spaces.

Calling on Tottenham Hotspur to press ahead with stadium plans

On 28 September 2011, alongside Leader of Haringey Council, Claire Kober, I made a final call for Tottenham Hotspur football club to commit its long-term future to north London and help to kick-start major regeneration in the area.

I urged the club to press ahead urgently with their proposal to build a new stadium at Northumberland Park, next to their historic ground in White Hart Lane, now they have been given planning approval by Haringey.

Representatives from the GLA and Haringey Council met with senior Tottenham executives, including Chairman Daniel Levy, to lay a comprehensive £17 million joint offer on the table that would see a raft of public realm and transport improvements made as part of a long-term regeneration package. My package includes £5 million for vital infrastructure and public realm works and £3.5 million worth of funding to secure key improvements to transport links to and from the area at Tottenham Hale and White Hart Lane stations.

The offer means that the club would be relieved of all planning gain requirements that are often associated with large scale developments. The Northumberland Park project now solely relies on a commercial decision by Tottenham Hotspur to go ahead with their proposals.

In addition, I have pledged that as part of the GLA’s responsible procurement policy, the project would seek to award contracts to local companies as far as possible and, that firms involved in delivering the improvements would be required to take on apprentices from the local area.

Planning Decisions (Stage II referrals)

Marine Wharf, LB Lewisham I have written to the London Borough of Lewisham stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Long Haul Catering Base, LB Hillingdon I have written to the London Borough of Hillingdon stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Kings Hall Sports Ground, LB Bromley I have written to the London Borough of Bromley stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Thorncliffe Hotel, LB Hounslow I have written to the London Borough of Hounslow stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

26 to 34 Tidal Basin Road, LB Newham I have written to the London Borough of Newham stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

190 Strand, City of Westminster I have written to the City of Westminster stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Palace of Industry and Arts, LB Brent I have written to the London Borough of Brent stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Delegated stage II decisions

The Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning, under powers I delegated to him, has sent letters in response to the following statutory referrals:

Wyevale Garden Centre, LB Barnet The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Barnet stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Battersea Reach (Former Gargoyle Wharf), LB Wandsworth The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Wandsworth stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Thameside Centre and Land adjacent to Kew Bridge, LB Hounslow The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Hounslow stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Former Nicholls + Clarke site, LB Tower Hamlets The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

King Solomon High School, LB Redbridge The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Redbridge stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Cherry Orchard Road, LB Croydon The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Croydon stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Wyevale Garden Centre, LB Barnet The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Barnet stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Biggin Hill Airport, LB Bromley The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Bromley stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

24a River Road, LB Barking & Dagenham The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Planning Decisions (Stage I referrals)

I have asked officers to send letters giving comments about the following stage one referrals:

 Dudley House, City of Westminster  RAF Bentley Priory, LB Harrow  Westfield House Depot, LB Wandsworth  Former Cat Hill College Campus, LB Enfield  Mast Pond Wharf, LB Greenwich  Former Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium, LB Waltham Forest  Car Park Opposite Walthamstow Stadium, LB Waltham Forest (2 applications)  341 Shooters Hill, LB Greenwich  Roding Lane North, LB Redbridge  Land adjoining Bastable Avenue/Renwich Road, LB Barking & Dagenham  The Crest Academies, LB Brent  Former Lintons Estate, LB Barking & Dagenham  Hackney Wick Hub, LB Tower Hamlets & Hackney

Delegated Planning Decisions (Stage I referrals)

The Deputy Mayor has asked officers to send letters giving comments about the following stage one referrals:

 Marble Arch Pavilion, City of Westminster  London Bridge Station, LB Southwark  Reynard Mills Trading Estate, LB Hounslow  122 to 132 Pennington Street and 130 to 162 The Highway, LB Tower Hamlets  4 to 6 and 16 to 22 Middlesex Street and 3 to 11 Goulston Street, LB Tower Hamlets  Long Haul Catering Base, LB Hillingdon  South London Mail Centre, LB Wandsworth  Blyth Road, LB Hillingdon  The Warren/Royal Arsenal, LB Greenwich  Kent County Cricket Ground, LB Bromley  UEL Development Site, LB Barking & Dagenham  The London River Park, City of London

Development Plans

I have written to the following Councils giving a response to their development plan consultations:

 Newham Core Strategy – Post Publication Changes, LB Newham  Richmond Local Development Scheme  Wandsworth Site Specific Allocations & Development Management Policies DPD – Pre- EiP comments following publication of the London Plan 2011, LB Wandsworth  Former Wincanton Depot, LB Barking & Dagenham  Compound D Hotel Site, LB Hillingdon  Haringey Core Strategy, LB Haringey  Enfield Local Development Scheme, LB Enfield  Enfield Green Belt Boundary Review, LB Enfield  Enfield Draft Section 106 SPD, LB Enfield  15 Stockwell Green, LB Lambeth  Bankside House, LB Southwark  Merton Local Development Scheme, LB Merton  East London Joint Waste DPD – Post hearing changes, East London Waste Boroughs

Delegated Planning Development Plans

The Deputy Mayor has asked officers to send letters giving comments about the following development plan consultations:

 South London Waste Plan – Post EiP Amendments, South London Waste Boroughs  Enfield Local Development Scheme, LB Enfield

Decisions made under delegation to Assistant Director - Planning

 Former Oldchurch Hospital Site, LB Havering  Palms Hotel, LB Havering  Barrier Park East, LB Newham  Tower Hamlets Planning Obligations SPD, LB Tower Hamlets

Key Engagements

Among my additional engagements since my last report were the following:

 I attended the launch of the Future Leaders Magazine event on 2 September  I attended the launch of the 9/11 London Project Education programme on 5 September  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 5 September  I appeared before the Home Affairs Select Committee on 6 September  I met with mobile phone operators on 6 September to discuss coverage during the 2012 Olympic Games  I had my regular meeting with Paul Deighton, LOCOG, and Justin King on 6 September to discuss preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games  I visited Croydon on 6 September to meet with community representatives and also open the new Sixth Form centre at Trinity School  I attended the GQ Award ceremony on 6 September  I met with Ajit Chambers, the Old London Underground Company, on 7 September following a commitment I made to him at PQT  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 7 September  I took part in a photo to promote the Thames Festival on 7 September  I hosted drinks for sports journalists on 7 September  I attended the Evening Standard Dispossessed event on 7 September  I attended the EV car show at Battersea Power Station on 8 September  I attended the groundbreaking event at the Thames Tideway Industrial Estate on 8 September  I attended the Paralympics ‘One Year to Go’ event at Trafalgar Square on 8 September  I attended the opening of the West London Free School on 9 September  I met with the creative teams for the 2012 Olympic Games on 9 September  I attended the 9/11 10th Anniversary Memorial Event at Grosvenor Square on 11 September  I attended the BGC Charity event on 12 September  I interviewed candidates for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner with the Home Secretary on 12 September  I took part in a photo with the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Bernard Hogan Howe, and the Home Secretary on 12 September  I hosted a Borough Reception for the West Central GLA constituency on 12 September  I opened the new Westfield Stratford on 13 September  I attended the HA OPG Cabinet Committee on 13 September  I addressed the London Transport Museum Annual Fundraising Dinner on 13 September  I attended Mayor’s Question Time on 14 September

 I opened the New Pier at St George’s Wharf on 14 September  I attended the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment Homecoming Parade in Putney on 15 September  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Met Commissioner, Bernard Hogan Howe, on 15 September  I chaired the Olympic Board meeting on 15 September  I hosted a drinks reception for Emergency Services following the recent disturbances on 15 September  I attended the opening of London Fashion Week at Somerset House on 16 September  I met with Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy on 16 September to discuss Tottenham Hotspur  I visited the Saatchi Block planning case site on 16 September  I addressed GLA staff on 19 September  I met with Peter Hendy and Daniel Moylan on 19 September to talk about the TfL Board Meeting  I met with Apurv Bagri on 19 September to discuss the Royal Parks  I hosted a representation hearing at City Hall for the Saatchi block on 19 September  I addressed the Invest Bromley Conference during my visit to Bromley on 20 September  I met with the London Assembly Conservative Group on 20 September  I hosted a meeting with the Olympic Borough Leaders and Peter Hendy on 20 September to discuss planning Olympic transport and parallel events  I met with Cllr Chris Robbins, Leader of Waltham Forest, on 20 September to discuss Olympic Legacy  I met with Andrew Altman, Olympic Park Legacy Company, on 20 September to discuss Olympic matters  I attended the Peace Awards at City Hall on 20 September  I visited the CCTV monitoring centre at Palestra to launch the roadwork pledge on 21 September  I chaired the Transport for London Board meeting on 21 September  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 21 September  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 21 September  I addressed the Olympic and business event on 22 September  I met the Governor of Rio de Janeiro on 22 September  I visited Carshalton on 22 September  I attended the Talk London, public consultation meeting, in Sutton on 22 September  I attended an event to promote Parent Gym in Battersea on 23 September  I had my regular meeting with the London Business Advisory Council  I attended the Agudas Housing opening on 26 September  I attended the Friends of the Olympic Park Fundraising event on 26 September  I visited Havering on 27 September  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Bernard Hogan Howe on 27 September  I attended a Mayor's Fund for Young Musicians fundraiser on 28 September  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 28 September  I attended the Community Conversation Programme event in Lambeth on 28 September

Ends