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MINUTES

Meeting: London Assembly - Plenary Date: Wednesday 14 June 2006 Time: 10.00am Place: Chamber, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA

Copies of the minutes may be found at: http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/assemmtgs/index.jsp

Present:

Brian Coleman (Chairman) Elizabeth Howlett

Sally Hamwee (Deputy Chair) Peter Hulme Cross

Tony Arbour Darren Johnson

Jennette Arnold Jenny Jones

Richard Barnes Joanne McCartney

John Biggs Bob Neill

Bob Blackman Andrew Pelling

Angie Bray Geoff Pope

Dee Doocey Murad Qureshi

Len Duvall Valerie Shawcross

Roger Evans Graham Tope

Nicky Gavron Mike Tuffrey

Damian Hockney

City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA Enquiries: 020 7983 4100 minicom: 020 7983 4458 www.london.gov.uk Greater London Authority London Assembly - Plenary 14 June 2006

1. Apologies and Announcements (Item 1)

1.1 There were no apologies for absence.

1.2 The Assembly noted the death of the Rt Hon. Eric Forth, Member of Parliament for the Bromley and Chislehurst constituency in Greater London. The Chairman informed the Assembly that he had written to Mr Forth’s widow to convey the Assembly’s condolences.

1.3 The Assembly also noted the deaths of Maurice Stephenson, former Alderman of the Greater London Council who served from 1969 until 1973, and Alex MacKay, who represented the constituency of Deptford on the Greater London Council from 1981 to 1986.

1.4 The Chairman further advised that he had asked Richard Barnes AM, the Chairman of the 7 July Review Committee, and the Director of the Secretariat to convey the Assembly’s thanks for the excellent work carried out by all Members and officers involved in producing the report into the 7 July bombings.

2. Declarations of Interests (Item 2)

2.1 Resolved:

(a) That the relevant Assembly Members’ membership of Functional Bodies and London Borough Councils, as set out in the table at Item 2 on the agenda for the meeting, be noted;

(b) To note that John Biggs AM declared a personal interest in Item 6 on the agenda (Olympic Delivery Authority Question Time) insofar as the discussions under this item related to the London Development Agency or the Thames Gateway, arising from his position as a Board Member and Deputy Chairman of the London Development Agency and as a Board Member of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

3. Minutes (Item 3)

3.1 Resolved:

That the minutes of the London Assembly Annual Meeting held on 10 May 2006 and the London Assembly (Mayor’s Question Time) meeting held on 17 May 2006 be confirmed as accurate records and be signed by the Chairman.

4. Petitions (Item 4)

4.1 In accordance with Standing Orders 3.18 and 3.19, Angie Bray AM presented two petitions with the following prayers:

“We, the undersigned, all residents of Chepstow Road and its neighbouring streets, demand urgent action to resolve the intolerable vibration and noise problem caused by First’s Volvo double-decker buses. These vibrations are shaking our houses on Chepstow Road and the streets behind. Many of us, including elderly people and young children, cannot sleep properly and suffer stress as a result.

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We believe that it is also a potential health hazard. We call upon the Mayor and Transport for London to put pressure on First to ensure the repairs of these buses in weeks rather than months.”

“We the undersigned call upon the Mayor and Transport for London to abandon the proposal to re- route the C1 Bus Route through the Blythe Road Area, W14. The details of our reasons for opposing this route are attached to this document but primarily include:

1. The safety of the many local pedestrian residents and school children would be put at risk in this 20mph residential home zone area which has over 10 schools;

2. This area is already very well serviced with buses and tubes (over 10 bus routes and 5 tube stations already border the area); and

3. The Olympia Exhibition area is already congested for many days a year and running a bus through this area is totally impractical and even dangerous.”

4.2 Resolved:

To refer both petitions to the Mayor and Transport for London for response.

4.3 In accordance with Standing Orders 3.18 and 3.19, Geoff Pope AM presented a petition with the following prayer:

“We are the residents of Roshni House at 74 Longley Road, London, SW17 9XL. This is a sheltered Housing Scheme of ASRA – Greater London Housing Association, which was built in 1993. We are 31 elderly residents of Asia Origin living in this scheme.

Soon after we moved here in 1993, we found out that it was a long way from the bus stops and the underground stations. We have in the past requested the Mayor and the MP of Tooting for the same whenever they have come to Roshni House to attend some functions but unfortunately nothing has happened. Now after 13 years due to our progressing age and health related problems, we find it even more difficult to walk such a long distance which is resulting in most of us getting housebound.

We like to bring to your attention that there are 2 more mainstream sheltered homes and 1 for learning disability people on Longley Road. W are therefore humbly requesting a bus stop in Longley Road at a convenient place, which will be a benefit not only to us but to other elderly and disabled people and the community on the whole, who live around this area.

Awaiting a favourable reply and hoping our request will be given a due consideration.”

4.4 Resolved:

To refer the petition to the Mayor and Transport for London for response.

4.5 In accordance with Standing Orders 3.18 and 3.19, Darren Johnson AM presented a petition with the following prayer:

“We, the undersigned, as users of Crystal Palace Park and as residents, traders, those working in the locality, shoppers, cyclists, motorists, school attendees, users of public buses, Crystal Palace railway station and the Park, and otherwise frequenters of the area in the proximity of Crystal Palace Park, London SE19, its neighbouring roads and environs, petition the London Mayor to stop the sell-off of

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land within Crystal Palace Park for private housing, commercial and retail development which would set a precedent for public parks and open spaces throughout the country.”

4.6 Resolved:

To refer the petition to the Mayor for response.

4.7 In accordance with Standing Orders 3.18 and 3.19, Jenny Jones AM presented two petitions with the following prayers:

“RE: the public notice 'restricted access to Stanley Road onto and off of the A406 at Bowes Road’

I disagree with the restrictions on Stanley Road for the following reasons.

• The requirement to turn right onto the A406 will not go away. If there is an accident black spot at the Stanley Road/A406 intersection, it will just move to the adjacent Highworth Road intersection, which will in turn become the black spot. • It will create several additional potential accident prone junctions, as drivers for Stanley Road coming off the A406 will have to drive up Highworth Road, turn right into Shrewsbury Road (there is very poor visibility at this junction), and then turn right again to enter Stanley Road.

• Highworth Road is even narrower than Stanley Road, it has cars parked almost continuously along both sides, thus making two way traffic very difficult, with vehicles searching for passing places when they meet, usually with one having to reverse to make this happen.

• There is an infants school at the intersection of Highworth and Stanley Roads at the A406 which generates considerable traffic, especially at opening and closing times. This would put Highworth Road under severe pressure, as some traffic which would normally use Stanley Road would transfer to Highworth, Particularly the two way traffic which the road is unable to sustain.

I am therefore opposed to this proposal.”

“Large 4 Wheel Drive "Sport Utility Vehicles" are becoming very fashionable. We object to the use of these vehicles in urban areas because they: generate emissions at a rate that puts our climate and health at risk; pose a physical danger to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of smaller cars; present a unique problem because of their combination of weight, power and pollution.

We call on you to:

- Reform road tax so that big 4x4s pay more

- Create exclusion zones for 4x4s in urban areas

- Ban 4x4 adverts in the mainstream media on the grounds of public health

- Increase the Congestion Charge in London to £20 for the most polluting cars.”

It was noted that, further to the information reported on the agenda, the latter petition now had 5,504 signatories.

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4.8 Resolved:

To refer both petitions to the Mayor for response.

5. Petitions – Update (Item 5)

5.1 The Assembly received the report of the Executive Director of Secretariat.

5.2 Resolved:

To note the responses received during the period 9 May 2006 until and including 6 June 2006 to petitions presented at Assembly meetings.

6. Olympic Delivery Authority – Question Time (Item 6)

6.1 The Assembly put questions to David Higgins, Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, who had been invited to attend the meeting to answer questions on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (as agreed by the Assembly on 15 March 2006).

6.2 The Assembly noted that Jack Lemley, Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority, who had also been due to attend this session, had given his apologies.

6.3 The record of the discussion with David Higgins is attached as Appendix 1.

6.4 The written answers to those questions not asked or answered during the meeting are attached as Appendix 2.

6.5 Following the question and answer session, the Chairman formally proposed the standard motion – namely “That the Assembly notes the answers to the questions asked.”

6.6 The motion, namely:

“That this Assembly notes the answers to the questions asked.”

was carried by the general consensus of the Assembly.

7. Members’ Salaries (Item 7)

7.1 The Assembly received the report of the Executive Director of Secretariat.

7.2 The Assembly turned to discussion of the options for a pay award for elected Members of the Authority, set out at paragraph 1.2 of the report.

7.3 Upon being put to the vote, none of the Members voted in favour of option C (which proposed a 2.95% pay ward from 1 April 2006 and matching the staff annual pay award in future years).

7.4 Upon a further vote, 13 Members voted in favour of option A (which proposed a 2% pay award from 1 April 2006, the full formula-based award).

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7.5 Resolved:

(a) That the section of Standing Order 11.3 A(1) which states that the determination of salaries for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chair of the Assembly and Assembly Members shall be “subject to independent review by an appropriate organisation appointed for that purpose” be suspended, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 1.1(H);

(b) That, having reviewed the current joint determination with the Mayor, approved by the Assembly on 14 September 2005 (Minute 5.2(g)), relating to the automatic implementation of annual salary up-rating in line with the formula recommended by the Review Body on Senior Salaries (SSRB), the Assembly recommends to the Mayor that a pay award of 2% be awarded to elected members for 2006/07 from 1 April 2006 (the full formula-based award);

(c) That the Assembly authorises the Chairman to sign a revised joint determination on the Assembly’s behalf, to give effect to the decision set out at (b) above; and

(d) That the Chief Executive be requested (i) to inform the SSRB of any revised joint determination taken by the Mayor and the Assembly, (ii) to request that the next review (due in 2008) should address the mechanism for annual up-rating in the light of developments for other elected bodies in the intervening period, and (iii) to negotiate with the SSRB for the next review to be undertaken immediately after the 2008 elections.

8. Motions (Item 8)

8.1 The following motion was moved by Mike Tuffrey AM and seconded by Dee Doocey AM:

“This Assembly supports the establishment of a sustainable energy system for London, with increased energy efficiency and the widespread roll out of renewable technologies and decentralised power generation. Noting the high level of Co2 emissions associated with extracting uranium, building and decommissioning nuclear power stations, and the unsolved problems of nuclear waste disposal and transportation, this Assembly opposes plans to build new nuclear power stations in the UK and as such will lobby at all levels of government including the Prime Minister to ensure that the review into nuclear power due to report before the summer, knows of the Assembly's opposition to further developments of nuclear power stations.”

8.2 Roger Evans AM proposed the following amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Bob Blackman AM:

Delete all following the first sentence and add: "This Assembly notes the urgent need to provide new generating capacity, brought about by population increases, the closure of existing power plants, and the uncertainty of long term gas supplies. This Assembly welcomes the largely cross party review taking place at national level and urges the government to consider all the possible options, including renewable sources, nuclear power and measures to reduce energy consumption"

8.3 Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was carried (by 17 votes to 6).

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8.4 Upon a further vote, the motion as amended, namely:

“This Assembly supports the establishment of a sustainable energy system for London, with increased energy efficiency and the widespread roll out of renewable technologies and decentralised power generation. This Assembly notes the urgent need to provide new generating capacity, brought about by population increases, the closure of existing power plants, and the uncertainty of long term gas supplies. This Assembly welcomes the largely cross party review taking place at national level and urges the government to consider all the possible options, including renewable sources, nuclear power and measures to reduce energy consumption"

was carried (by 15 votes to 6).

8.5 The following motion was moved by Murad Qureshi AM and seconded by Darren Johnson AM:

“This Assembly endorses the statement of Edward Leigh MP, Conservative Chairman of the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, on the occasion of the publication of the Committee’s analysis for bus services in England (23/5/06), in which he argued:

‘London stands apart from the rest of the country, with bus usage in the capital having soared by a third in recent years. I congratulate Mayor Livingstone on the commitment to improving bus services shown by him and Transport for London.’

This Assembly also endorses the additional statement of Edward Leigh MP that ‘This success story is also the result of more public subsidy, better bus services and congestion charging,’ and resists the regularly expressed view that the level of subsidy paid in London to bus companies is unsustainable and the view of the Conservative group that the existing congestion charge scheme should be abolished. This Assembly rejects any such proposal believing that London should continue to set a fine example to the rest of the country with its successful bus policy.”

8.6 Roger Evans AM proposed the following amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Angie Bray AM:

Delete “endorses” in first sentence and replace with “notes”.

Delete all following second paragraph and add “This Assembly notes that the Mayor promised to peg fare increases to inflation levels. Since that promise, he has increased bus fares from 70p to £1.50 and he is planning a further inflation busting rise for 2006/7. This Assembly is concerned that rising fares will lead to a corresponding reduction in bus usage.

This Assembly also notes that the Mayor promised to peg congestion chare at £5 per day for the first ten years,. Subsequently he increased the price to £8 per day and he has mooted a further increase to £10 per day.

This Assembly further notes with concern, the considerable public opposition to the proposed Western Extension to the congestion charge zone, and the Mayor’s insistence on backing a scheme which has little public support.

This Assembly is concerned about the Mayor’s credibility and calls upon him to keep his promises on fares and to take greater account of public opposition to his plans.”

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8.7 Following discussion, the mover of the amendment, Roger Evans AM, withdrew the first part of this amendment, which proposed the replacement of the word “endorses” in the first sentence of the proposed motion with the word “notes”.

8.8 The vote on the remainder of the amendment was taken in two parts. Members first voted on the part of the amendment which proposed the deletion of all the text following the second paragraph. This was lost (by 12 votes to 10).

8.9 Members then voted on the part of the amendment which proposed additional text. This was carried (by 12 votes to 10).

8.10 Upon being put to the vote, the motion as amended, namely:

This Assembly notes that the Mayor promised to peg fare increases to inflation levels. Since that promise, he has increased bus fares from 70p to £1.50 and he is planning a further inflation busting rise for 2006/7. This Assembly is concerned that rising fares will lead to a corresponding reduction in bus usage.

This Assembly is concerned about the Mayor’s credibility and calls upon him to keep his promises on fares and to take greater account of public opposition to his plans.”

Was not carried (by 9 votes to 4).

8.11 During the course of the discussion on this item, at 12.30 pm, the Chair proposed that in accordance with Standing Order 2.9, the meeting be extended until 1.00pm.

Upon being put to the vote, this was agreed.

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9. Future Plenary Meetings of the Assembly (Item 9)

9.1 Damian Hockney AM moved an amendment to the recommendations before the Assembly in respect of future meetings, to propose that the debate on London and its relations with the EU be held at a devoted session in April 2007, rather than be combined with the debate on economic and social development, wealth creation and poverty in Greater London on 19 July 2006. This was seconded by Darren Johnson AM.

9.2 During the discussion which followed and in accordance with Standing Order 4.5c, Dee Doocey AM moved that “The question now be put”. Upon being out to the vote, this was agreed.

9.3 Upon a further vote, the amendment in the name of Damian Hockney AM was lost (by 14 votes to 4).

9.4 A. Assembly Plenary Meeting – 19 July 2006

Resolved:

(a) That the 19 July Plenary meeting be used to discuss economic and social development, wealth creation and poverty in Greater London, and London and its relations with the European Union;

(b) That it be noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 9.2, the Chair will invite appropriate persons to attend the above meeting;

(c) That the Assembly, under section 61 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, requires the attendance of John Ross (Director, Economic and Business Policy, Greater London Authority) at the 19 July meeting of the Assembly, for which notice will be given in accordance with section 62 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 in due course, to answer questions and/or produce documentation in relation to economic and social development, wealth creation and poverty in Greater London; and

(d) That the Assembly, under section 61 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, requires the attendance of Anne Harradine (Head of London’s European Office, Greater London Authority) at the 19 July meeting of the Assembly, for which notice will be given in accordance with section 62 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 in due course, to answer questions and/or produce documentation in relation to London and its relations with the EU.

9.5 B. Future Plenary Meetings of the Assembly

Resolved:

(a) That it be agreed in principle that the following meetings of the Assembly be used for the purpose indicated:

11 October 2006 - London Development Agency: Functional Body Question Time

8 November 2006 – London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority: Functional Body Question Time/Metropolitan Police Authority and Metropolitan Police Service Question Time

6 December 2006 – Transport for London: Functional Body Question Time

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(b) That it be agreed to schedule an additional Plenary meeting of the Assembly to take place at 10.00 am on 10 October 2006 and that this meeting be used to hold a question and answer session with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

10. Date of Next Meeting (Item 10)

10.1 It was noted that the next meeting of the London Assembly (Mayor’s Question Time) would be held on 21 June 2006 at 10.00am in the Chamber, City Hall.

11. Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers Urgent (Item 11)

11.1 There was no urgent business.

12. Close of Meeting

12.1 The meeting ended at 1.00 pm.

Chairman Date

Contact Officer: Rebecca Arnold Committee Coordinator GLA Secretariat, City Hall The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA Telephone: 020 7983 4421 Email: [email protected]