Item 3 Assembly 25 March 2009 Ninth Mayor’s Report to the Assembly

This is my ninth report to the Assembly, fulfilling my duty under Section 45 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. It covers the period 12 February to 11 March 2009.

Executive Summary

East London Line

On 12 February, the Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, joined me at Clapham Junction Station to announce an agreement that will fund a new extension of the East London Line linking on the East London Line extension to Clapham Junction in the south. This means that Phase two can now be constructed before the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Council Tax Freeze

On 11 February, my first GLA budget was approved by the London Assembly. The budget will deliver an increase in frontline services and productivity, with an unprecedented freeze in the GLA’s share of the council tax.

Priority Parks

On 4 March, I revealed the top-ten winning parks, which thousands of Londoners have voted to each receive a £400,000 makeover. I also announced that in will get a £2million cash bonanza for a major revamp.

First Steps

On 3 March, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and I, unveiled a multi-million pound initiative which will deliver around 3,000 new affordable homes for Londoners and will also kick start my ‘First Steps’ (low cost home ownership) initiative.

Policing and Community Safety

Code of Conduct Statement

I welcome the report of Jonathan Goolden. He concludes that I did not fail to comply with the Code of Conduct of the MPA and GLA and that I did not disclose confidential information, improperly confer and advantage or disadvantage or bring my office or authority into disrepute.

On 4 March, the GLA Standards Committee also agreed to accept Jonathan Goolden’s report and recommendations. The Standards Committee also recommended that appropriate training

1 on the GLA and MPA Code of Conduct be made available and taken up by the Mayor and Mayor’s Office.

I will now reflect on suggestions for the future on how to deal with extraordinary situations when they arise. I am happy to engage in the adoption of a protocol to cover the management of information by senior police officers, senior members and officers of the MPA and I in relation to a critical incident.

I have cooperated fully with Mr Goolden’s investigation and am pleased that it has moved so swiftly to deal with the issues that were raised. I am however disappointed that this investigation has so far cost the taxpayer in excess of £11,000.

What rightly matters to Londoners is what we do to make our streets safer from knife crime and violence and how we support businesses and individuals through the downturn and that is what I am giving my full attention to.

Youth Violence

I have responded to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Child and Youth Crime inquiry into the use of knives by young people, where I was able to outline my plans to tackle this problem in London.

The inquiry heard that youth violence requires a multi-pronged approach. I was able to show how my plans, set out in Time for Action, aim to keep young people in school, to work more intensively with first time offenders in custody, to increase the numbers of apprenticeships and to provide young people in care with long-term mentors.

While recent figures show that knife crime generally in London is down by over 13 per cent in the past year, young people are still too often both the victims and perpetrators. As Time for Action begins rolling out over the next few months, we will see more support for mechanisms to help these youngsters, before their lives go irretrievably wrong.

Policing & Crime Bill

I submitted a memorandum to the Policing & Crime Public Bill Committee, proposing a number of amendments aimed at improving local accountability and setting out a model for stronger regional and local policing accountability and leadership.

I also commented on other elements of the Bill that are relevant to my responsibilities. These proposals include:

• The Mayor of London be given powers to appoint and dismiss the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and to set force-wide priorities in a four-year Policing London Strategy; • Mayoral powers to appoint full MPA Membership; • London Assembly is given scrutiny-policing powers in the way it currently oversees Transport for London and the London Development Agency.

Operation Ridgeway makes over 1,000 arrests

More than 1,000 arrests were made as the result of Operation Ridgeway - a two phased operation that used high visibility patrols to combat anti-social behaviour and pickpocketing on London’s buses.

2

Phase One was carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) and funded by Transport for London. It combated anti-social behaviour during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. Up to two hundred officers were involved and made around 500 arrests. The second phase of the operation took place in the run up to Christmas and resulted in more than 600 arrests.

This sort of operation has two clear goals. Firstly it makes it exceedingly plain to the pickpockets and badly behaved that they will not be tolerated on our buses. And secondly these patrols provide an important reassurance for the millions of law abiding passengers who should not have to suffer from the mindless behaviour of the few.

Crackdown on Illegal Cabs in Central London

On 20 and 21 February, the Metropolitan Police Service and Transport for London conducted “Operation Helvellyn” as part of a drive to tackle taxi touts in central London.

Uniformed Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers patrolled hotspots to tackle touting and other cab related issues. They also offered advice to members of the public warning them that any minicab journey that is not booked through a licensed minicab operator is illegal, uninsured and unsafe. Bar and club managers whose venues attract high numbers of illegal cabs were also advised of the danger these cabs pose to their customers.

The operation also involved Transport for London’s Public Carriage Office, checking on the activities of licensed drivers and operators, and the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) which carried out roadside safety checks of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles in the Strand and in Haymarket.

The safety and security of people travelling around London is a top priority, and during the election I promised to crack down on the illegal touts that put the lives of Londoners and visitors in danger.

Older People and Crime Conference

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, formally opened and chaired on my behalf the Older People and Crime Conference at City Hall on 6 March. Other speakers included Steve Allen, the Acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and Frances Davidson, the Chair of the Islington Mobility Forum for elderly and disabled people, Islington Neighbourhood Watch and Desmond Griffiths from the GLA’s peer Outreach team.

As part of my electoral pledge to make London safer for older people, the conference looked at what additional action the GLA, the MPA, the MPS and other partners could take. Over 100 older people attended the Conference as well as senior local authority officers, older people’s champions, local councillors, community and voluntary sector groups, Safer Neighbourhood Teams, the British Transport Police and intergenerational groups.

I have already taken a number of steps to make London safer. These include –

• Increasing the number of uniformed presence on public transport, particularly buses, and has added an extra 440 PCSO’s to Safer Transport Teams; • Trailing live CCTV for 6 months on a selection of the worst bus routes for crime; and

3 • Launching ‘Time for Action’ which sets out a number of proposals to reduce youth crime and increase opportunities for young people.

The Older People’s Action Plan was also launched at the event. The plan pulls together current actions that we are taking for older people across the entire GLA Group, not just on crime. It is a live document that will be updated by continually consulting with older people and interested bodies/partners. It is a statement of where we are at the moment and will evolve over the year ahead. LOPSG have been involved in the production of the document and aim to make it the theme of this year’s Older People Assembly in July 2009 so everyone attending can comment on it and help to develop it further.

Transport

The Bethnal Green Tube Disaster Memorial Service

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended The Bethnal Green Tube Disaster Memorial Service on my behalf on 1 March. The service was held at St John’s Church in Bethnal Green and was followed by a blessing at the tube station.

During the Second World War, Bethnal Green Underground Station was used as an underground air raid shelter. On the evening of 1 March 1943 at 8.17pm the air raid siren sounded in Bethnal Green indicating a forthcoming air raid. Hundreds of Londoners sought shelter in the Underground Station. At 8.27pm an anti aircraft rocket was launched nearby and because the sound was loud and unfamiliar it caused a panic in the shelter underground. A surge of people caused a large crush of some 300 people. 173 people lost their lives in the disaster including some 62 children. The disaster is the largest loss of life in a single incident on the London Underground network.

Stansted Express to sell Visitor Oyster Cards

On 17 February, Transport for London and Stansted Express announced a joint initiative enabling passengers to buy Visitor Oyster Cards when they purchase their train tickets at Stansted, allowing direct access to the Tube and bus network as soon as they arrive in London.

Since the beginning of February, passengers have been able to purchase a Visitor Oyster Card when they buy a Stansted Express ticket at the airport terminal and rail station, making it easier to change onto London Underground services at Tottenham Hale and London Liverpool Street, as well as London Bus services without the need to queue for a ticket.

The Visitor Oyster Card is pre-loaded with £10 pay as you go credit and card holders can easily top up their credit at thousands of Tube stations, Travel Information Centres and newsagents across the capital. What’s more credit on the card is timeless and can be used for future visits to the capital.

The partnership between Transport for London and Stansted Express forms a further part of my strategy to ensure that visitors to London have access to the quicker and easier way of travelling in the capital available with Oyster.

4 East London Line Extension Gets Go Ahead

On 12 February, the Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, joined me at Clapham Junction Station to announce an agreement that will fund a new extension of the East London Line linking Surrey Quays on the East London Line extension to Clapham Junction in the south, bringing a much needed rail connection south of the river.

The Department for Transport is to provide £64 million towards the delivery of Phase two of the East London Line extension and other transport improvements, with £15 million being contributed by Transport for London towards construction costs. This means that Phase two can now be constructed before the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This will mark the completion of the London Overground network and will give London a new orbital railway around the capital.

This new extension to the East London Line will help reduce congestion and along with improvements planned to be delivered in the new South Central franchise, will deliver significant benefits to most stations on the route. Customers will see staff at all stations while trains are running, improved safety and security and more frequent services to other parts of London’s rail network.

Phase two will also reduce any disruption caused by the Thameslink works at by providing passengers with alternative routes to the City and Docklands.

New Crossrail Chief Executive from April 2009

On 3 February, Douglas Oakervee OBE, Executive Chairman Crossrail Ltd announced that Rob Holden CBE, the current Chief Executive of London and Continental Railways will become Crossrail's Chief Executive with effect from 1 April 2009.

As announced on 17 November 2008, Douglas Oakervee will move across to take up the new post of Non-Executive Chairman when Mr Holden joins Crossrail. Mr Oakervee will remain in post until Terry Morgan CBE takes over as Crossrail Chairman later in the year.

Following Parliamentary approval of the Crossrail Act in July 2008, the status of Cross London Rail Links Limited (CLRL) has changed from that of a planning and promotional organisation to the delivery agent for this vital new railway. To reflect this change CLRL became Crossrail Limited with effect from 30 January 2009.

New Bus for London

On 16 February, TfL extended an invitation to bus manufacturers to lodge expressions of interest in developing and building a new bus for London, based on the iconic Routemaster.

A notice was placed in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), inviting interested manufacturers to take on board the innovative ideas put forward in the New Bus for London competition and consider them in combination with their own expertise in designing and building buses to come up with a final design.

It is anticipated contracts will be awarded at the end of this year with on street trials of the first of the new buses on the streets of London in 2011.

5 First Digital Speed Map of London

On 20 February, Transport for London and I launched the first digital map of the Capital’s road speed limits to help drivers keep their driving within the law. The digital map, which is available as a free download on the Transport for London website, can be integrated onto Satellite Navigation devices and is aimed at reducing collisions on London’s roads.

This map, once integrated into any SatNav or Global Positioning System (GPS), will be able to display the current, accurate speed limit to a driver and alert them if they exceed the legal speed limit. GPS device manufacturers are being encouraged to take full advantage of this resource which will help to improve road safety in the capital.

It is estimated that if everyone used the digital speed map, the number of road collisions in the capital could be reduced by 10 per cent.

Revamped DLR Tower Gateway station opens early

On 2 March, the Docklands Light Railway station at Tower Gateway was reopened two months ahead of schedule following the completion of a comprehensive £13m refurbishment programme.

In the eight months since the station had been closed a range of improvements have been carried out including: • The construction of a horseshoe-style platform, which makes it easier and faster for passengers to get on and off trains; • Platform and track remodelling, to allow longer three-car trains to operate from early 2010; • The installation of new canopies that will provide better protection from adverse weather conditions; • New energy-efficient escalators.

The improvements carried out to Tower Gateway also mean that DLR can now operate more trains to and from its new Woolwich Arsenal station. During peak times there will be a train from Woolwich every five minutes, on average, instead of every seven. Passengers will also be able to take a direct service from Tower Gateway to Beckton via the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre and the University of East London.

£1m Package to Fund Car Clubs

On 2 March, Transport for London announced a two-year £1m investment package to support the growth and development of car clubs across London.

The funding will be used to identify and install on-street parking bay locations, install on-street signage and help promote car clubs in London. This will result in 380 new parking spaces for car club vehicles across the 19 London boroughs that applied for car club funding from TfL. Once the work is complete, around a third of all London residents will live within just a five minutes walk of a car club vehicle.

Car clubs offer pay-as-you-go access to a car and are a cost effective way to reduce the number of vehicles on London’s roads, ease pressure on parking, and reduce congestion in the Capital.

6 Almost 53,000 Londoners are now members of a car club. Members typically save nearly £2,000 a year by joining a car club and reduce their car mileage by an average of 36 per cent - which in turn helps reduce carbon emissions in the Capital. TfL estimates that every car club car replaces six privately owned cars.

Smarter travel Sutton results

On 17 February, Transport for London announced the Year 2 results of the Smarter Travel Sutton scheme. Smarter Travel Sutton is a three-year, £5 million pound project, funded by Transport for London and delivered in partnership with the London Borough of Sutton, local businesses and the local community, with the aim of encouraging people in the borough to travel in more sustainable ways such as by public transport, on foot or by bike.

The scheme has made a significant impact on the levels of cycling and walking in the borough with a 50 per cent increase in cycle usage in the second year of the project.

Reported cycle theft in the borough since the start of the programme has seen a 17 percent drop thanks to the 200 new secure cycle parking spaces put in place across Sutton; proactive targeting of cycle theft hotspots by the police; and over 400 free bike security marking kits handed out under the Smarter Travel scheme.

New TfL campaign to cut motorcycle deaths

As the days get longer and the weather improves, thousands of people will be wheeling out their motorcycles for their daily commute into London.

With this in mind, on 6 March, Transport for London (TfL) launched a new campaign targeted at reducing the number of motorcyclists killed or injured in the Capital.

Taxi fare increase for 2009

On 10 February, Transport for London announced that average taxi passenger fares would rise by 3.4 per cent for the next financial year. The increase will help drivers maintain their earnings and cover increased operating costs and will to come into effect on Saturday 4 April 2009.

The Transport for London Board approved the new taxi fares following consultation by the Public Carriage Office with the taxi trade and others, including London TravelWatch.

This follows a similar arrangement that was approved in July 2008 to help drivers meet costs if the price of fuel rose beyond a certain level. This level was not reached in 2008/09 so the additional charge was not applied.

The Board also noted an increase in the annual taxi licence fee, from £160 to £164, with effect from 1 April 2009. From the same date, the private hire vehicle licence fee will increase from £109 to £114 from 1 April 2009.

7 Budget

Capital Spending Plan 2009-10

I have approved the Capital Spending Plan for 2009-10 for the four functional bodies. The approved plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State (Communities and Local Government) by 28 February 2009.

The 2009/10 Budget

On 11 February, my first GLA budget was approved, without amendments, by the London Assembly. The budget will deliver an increase in frontline services and productivity, with an unprecedented freeze in the GLA’s share of the council tax.

The budget secures funding for the continued roll out of more than 500 uniformed officers on public transport, which has already started to have a positive impact in the quality of life of passengers across London. Through civilianisation and efficiencies the number of police will increase over the next three years and will get police back where people want to see them, on the streets of London.

The budget outlines £9.3million of efficiency savings for the Greater London Authority, £92.3 million for the Metropolitan Police, £8.2 million for the Fire authority and £7.6 million for the London Development Agency. I have also delivered on a key manifesto commitment that the element of the council tax precept that will go to support the delivery of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will remain frozen at 38 pence a week for the average London council tax payer.

Council Tax

I have agreed to calculate formally the amount of council tax for the Greater London Authority, the tax for different valuation bands and the amount payable by each billing Authority, and the issue of GLA precepts for 2009/10.

Contributions to Wandsworth Council

I have approved two contributions to Wandsworth Council:

• £15,000 towards costs that the 2M Group may incur in seeking Judicial Review of, or taking other action on, a Secretary of State's decision to proceed with a new third runway or mixed mode at Heathrow; and • £2,000 towards legal costs incurred in seeking Judicial Review of the Secretary of State for Transport's decision of 6 June 2006 on Night Flying Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted applying from 30 October 2006.

London Development Agency

Scholarships to help London's businesses succeed

The London Development Agency in partnership with UK Trade & Investment is offering scholarships for company managers to develop stronger trading links with India through

8 effective marketing. This will help the capital's small and medium sized businesses develop their knowledge of India and ensure that they are able to capitalise on the opportunities that exist in one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

Crystal Palace

The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace will re-open in April, with a build-up event for the World Modern Pentathlon Championships - which will also take place at Crystal Palace, this summer.

The re-opening of the Centre, after eighteen months of asbestos remediation and refurbishment works, is a major milestone and allows the site to resume its proper place as a major sporting event venue and a focal point for community sport in London. Having secured the immediate future of the site in the lead-up to the 2012 Games, the London Development Agency is now looking to develop its ideas, in consultation with partners and stakeholders, and consider its long-term role.

London Fashion Week Success

The success of London Fashion week has once again shown the wit and energy as well as sophistication that sets London fashion apart.

London Fashion Week is worth £20 million to the capital's economy, in terms of direct spend, and generates orders in the region of £100m, so it is vital fashion, continues to play its role in London’s economic success and comes through the downturn stronger as well as exciting and innovative. To this end, the partnership of the London Development Agency with the British Fashion Council is working to ensure that London retains its international position as one of the key centres for fashion and that the small businesses that dominate this sector are supported.

Opening Up Services and Products to Elderly and Disabled Londoners

The London Development Agency has provided £2.35 million in funding towards a new centre to open up products and services for the elderly and people with disabilities to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do – known as assistive technology (AT).

The Design and Development Centre at Whitechapel in east London will play a vital role in improving AT development in areas of research, industry, and the National Health Service.

Whitechapel Art Gallery Expansion

The Whitechapel Galleries redevelopment of its space which aims to treble its business development, education and learning area will be opened to the public on 5 April 2009. The LDA contributed to the purchase of the adjoining Whitechapel Library enabling the capital works to take place.

The Whitechapel Gallery was set up over 100 years ago to bring art to the East End and to make it available and accessible to local residents. It has been very successful and has become one of the key London art galleries and is an important link between the artistic and creative communities in London and the global contemporary arts world.

9 The LDA promotes its growth agenda at MIPIM

The LDA’s Design, Development and Environment directorate will be hosting a ‘New Urban Agenda’ breakfast event at MIPIM on 11 March. This event will introduce the New Urban Agenda which sets out the LDA’s approach to housing, infrastructure, place-making and climate change and outlines what we are doing now to prepare London for future growth. The aim of the MIPIM breakfast event is to introduce the LDA’s new direction to key industry figures and to get expert feedback on specific aspects of the strategy. I am pleased to be partaking in this event.

A pamphlet outlining the New Urban Agenda will be distributed at MIPIM and Peter Bishop will be promoting the LDA’s work at various talks and networking events throughout MIPIM.

I am excited to be unveiling the ‘Mayor’s Great Spaces’ programme at MIPIM. The launch of this initiative demonstrates my commitment to delivering the improvement of London’s public spaces both as the keystone of regeneration and a vital part of London’s identity and heritage. The New Urban Agenda includes an overarching vision for public space, the Great Spaces initiative is a step towards achieving this vision for London.

Environment

Winners of £6 million Parks Bonanza Announced

On 4 March, I revealed the top-ten winning parks, which thousands of Londoners have voted to each receive a £400,000 makeover. I also announced which major London park is set to get a £2million cash bonanza for a major revamp.

Londoners were recently invited to vote on a shortlist of parks across the capital in order to fund improvements to make them more attractive and safer for local communities. More than 110,000 people cast their vote and the winners are: Lordship Recreation Ground in Haringey; Dollis Valley Green Walk in Barnet; in Barking and Dagenham; Fairlop Waters Country Park in Redbridge; Brent River Park in Ealing; Little in Kensington and Chelsea; Parish Wood Park in Bexley; Avery Hill Park in Greenwich; Crane Riverside Park in Richmond and Hounslow; Wandle Park in Croydon.

I also awarded a larger £2million grant to undertake a more substantial upgrade to Burgess Park, Southwark after taking advice from a panel of experts.

Funding for the parks’ makeovers comes from efficiency savings made from the former administration’s publicity budget including the scrapping of The Londoner newspaper.

First 1500 street trees planted

Ten boroughs across London are set to become greener and more attractive thanks to the arrival of nearly 1500 new street trees funded by my street tree and parks programmes. On 12 February, I planted one of the first trees in Islington.

The first batch of trees are now being planted in Havering (62 trees), Southwark (122 trees), Tower Hamlets (145 trees), Islington (230 trees), Haringey (250 trees), Merton (47 trees), Brent (100 trees), Redbridge (70 trees), Newham (380 trees) and Hillingdon (51 trees). Londoners say that improvements to their local environment help to make their communities

10 better places to live, and these trees are being planted specifically in areas that will most benefit by boroughs, community groups or charities who applied for funds from this tree programme. Street trees offer a range of benefits including; attracting wildlife, providing shade, helping improve local air quality, reducing flood risk and improving quality of life.

The trees programme is being funded by efficiency measures which include significant cost savings made by the scrapping of the Londoner, a newspaper distributed to three million homes across Greater London by the previous administration.

Call for an E-revolution

I have called for a revolution in the use of electric cars. Writing in The Daily Telegraph on 10 March I described my test drive in a Tesla, an electric sports car, on a motorway where it produced: “no more noxious vapours than a dandelion in an alpine meadow.” The article described my pride at driving a vehicle with no exhaust pipe, carburettor or fuel tank.

The experience has confirmed my belief in the need for a technical optimism in Britain. I have already held discussions with several government departments regarding a pooling of resources to encourage the greater use of electric vehicles in London. I also plan to get as much of the Greater London Authority fleet of vehicles running on electricity as possible and I have agreed funding to provide more charging points across the capital.

Since taking office I have driven the creation of a London electric vehicle partnership. The group brings together major representatives of the motor and energy industries and the capital’s authorities with the aim of making electric vehicles more affordable, attractive and easier for Londoners to use. My ultimate goal is for London to be the electric vehicle capital of Europe.

Investing to Transform London's Great Spaces

On 10 March, I announced plans for a major scheme to revamp and revitalise some of the capital’s unique public spaces and make London an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.

My ‘Great Spaces’ initiative will champion existing public spaces that currently have poor access or are unwelcoming and unattractive. The aim is to help transform some of the city’s better as well as lesser known streets, squares, parks and riverside walks into places Londoners and visitors will want to use and enjoy all year round.

"Dating agency" to help manage London's rubbish

A waste 'dating agency' is being set up by the London Waste and Recycling Board to deal with the 21 million tonnes of rubbish produced in London each year. The new brokerage service will link up waste producers with site owners, London boroughs and energy users and aims to provide new sites for reuse, recycling and energy from waste facilities.

The Board also made clear that it would focus its efforts in areas where it could have the most impact and this is on recycling and capturing and treating waste to create energy. The Board has previously agreed it will concentrate on recycling of priority material such as plastic and extracting energy from food waste and from waste wood. We calculate that the total energy that can be supplied by waste is £504 million or 10 per cent of London's gas and electricity bill.

11 London Waste and Recycling Board, which I Chair, was set up in July last year and has now agreed its first business plan with a budget of £37m committed over the coming year.

London's Food 'Carbon Footprint' Revealed in Report

Londoners eat a staggering eight billion meals a year and produce nearly 19 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, a report reveals.

The report was commissioned by the GLA and the LDA, supported by London Food and compiled by Brook Lyndhurst - it is the first to examine the impact of what London eats on climate change. The report examines the capital's entire food emissions including not just carbon emissions (carbon dioxide) but also methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases used for refrigeration and other industrial processes, all of which are responsible for climate change. 78 per cent of these emissions occur outside of London in the production and transport of food to London, and 22 per cent takes place inside London, travelling to the shops and restaurants, storing, preparation, eating and throwing away food.

The report shows London's schools and hospitals serve around 110 million meals a year, and that the capital boasts 1,200 restaurants (most of which are independently owned), 6,000 cafes and more than 5,000 pubs and bars. There are 36,000 allotments in London producing an equivalent two million meals but long waiting lists show many more Londoners would like to grow their own.

Capital Growth to Grow Food on London's Canals

On 19 February, Rosie Boycott, chair of London Food, and I welcomed British Waterways as a major new sign-up to the Capital Growth project to find 2,012 new food growing spaces in London by 2012. A total of 14 groups have signed up to the Capital Growth pilot scheme to date.

British Waterways is working with Capital Growth experts to identify a range of suitable spaces for growing food, including land alongside canals and turning retired workboats into floating vegetable plots.

The first will be a stretch of land along the Hertford Union Canal in Hackney Wick. This area will be planted and tended by Growing Concerns, a community-based gardening and landscaping team dedicated to improving the environment for those living and working in London’s East End. The land will be used to develop a community composting scheme and food planting plot.

Boosting the amount of locally grown food in London makes economic sense at a time of rising food prices, and it also has a range of health and environmental benefits, such as improving access to nutritious food in urban areas and helping to increase flood protection. There is rising interest in self-grown food and inner London boroughs have waiting lists for allotments that can be decades long.

"Cool Roofs" EU funded project

I have noted and retrospectively approved the GLA's entry into an agreement with the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and European Commission, committing the GLA as a partner in the "Cool Roofs" EU funded project. I have also approved the GLA's commitment to the

12 project of two GLA officers spending up to 180 hours over the 30 months of the project (including 2 overseas project management meetings).

Children and Young People

Young Londoners Ideas to Tackle Youth Crime

More youth clubs to keep youngsters out of trouble and longer prison sentences for those who commit are just some of the hundreds of suggestions put forward by young people on how to tackle youth crime in London. More than 240 young people responded to my draft youth plan, Time for Action, with their views.

Key suggestions by young people included:

• Longer prison sentences for people who commit violent crimes • More youth clubs / after school clubs offering a range of activities • Better media representation of young people – many thought the extensive coverage of knife crime glamorised carrying knives • Parenting support should be offered from birth onwards, with an emphasis on parents of children making the secondary school transition • Schools should take more responsibility for children’s behaviour and communication between schools and parents should be stronger

London Pledge for Children and Young People in Care

On 6 March at City Hall, I signed the ‘London Pledge for Children and Young People in Care’ with my Ambassador for Young People, James Cleverly.

The London Pledge aims to ensure that children and young people in care across London have equal access to the same range of key services and support wherever they live, go to school or access employment or training opportunities in London. It was developed in partnership with young people, borough Lead Members for Children’s Services and third sector partners.

Attendees at the launch and discussion included young people in care or who are care leavers from London Boroughs of Lambeth, Kingaston-Upon-Thames and Tower Hamlets; the Children’s Rights Director for , Dr Roger Morgan, who chairs this initiative; Deputy Chair of London Councils’ Children and Young People Forum, Cllr Shireen Ritchie; Director of Children and Learners at GOL, Jennifer Izekor; and the lead Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (from Haringey), Peter Lewis.

Children in care deserve the same high standard of education, health care and opportunities that we want for our own families. They are amongst the most vulnerable young people in London and it is imperative we make sure they are properly supported.

13 Social Inclusion

The London Strategic Migration Partnership (LSMP)

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, chaired the first meeting of the London Strategic Migration Partnership (LSMP) at City Hall on 26 February.

The LSMP is the successor to the Board for Refugee Integration in London (BRIL), which was established in 2006. LSMP extends my work on refugee integration to all migrants, in agreement with the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA). It offers an opportunity to better co-ordinate services for all of London’s migrants. It also allows London to develop a managed process whereby it can put forward its strategic migration needs to national government for the betterment of all Londoners.

An enabling agreement to provide financial support for the LSMP has been signed between the GLA and the UKBA and runs for two years. The LSMP membership has been extended to include representatives from business and trade unions. The extension offers London the opportunity to develop co-ordinated views and action on the city’s migrant needs.

Government Immigration Failure

On 9 March, I condemned the Government for failing to deal with immigration after a new report found the estimated number of irregular migrants in the UK had risen by 295,000 in just six years.

The interim report by the LSE, ‘Economic impact on London and the UK of an earned regularisation of irregular migrants in the UK’ found there were approximately 725,000 irregular immigrants in then UK. Previous estimates in 2001 estimated there were 430,000 irregular migrants.

I commissioned the report in November 2008 to explore the implications of an earned amnesty in the capital. The full report will be published in the spring.

Equal Life Chances for All

I have received over 50 responses from my consultation on ‘Equal Life chances for All’. The new Equality Framework launched on 26 November last year to deliver my equality vision for London. The framework takes a fresh, joined up approach to tackle persistent pockets of deprivation and inequality by working in partnership with London boroughs, voluntary, community, private and public sector organisations to deliver community cohesion, integration and support to the most disadvantaged in London.

There have been a cross section of detailed responses including five boroughs, large third sector organisations like Age Concern, Race on the Agenda, Centrepoint, small groups like the Independent Academic Research Studies- a youth-led social policy and advocacy think tank, London Visual Impairment Forum, Trade Unions, government departments and London Assembly.

The responses are being collated and analysed to inform the final report but early indications show there is strong support for the Framework shaping programmes that address the economic downturn and its impact on community cohesion.

14 London Health Commission Community Action For Health Awards

Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London and Cllr Mary O'Connor, London Health Commission Chairman launched the City Hall exhibition of the LHC Awards winners on 2 March.

The exhibition consists of film and photos of the five winning community organisations who are championing health and well-being in their neighbourhoods. Guests at the launch included members of all the groups, members of the LHC's Community Development Forum, council and health representatives. The audience also heard from Kayah Mitchell one of the young winners, from Myatt's Field North Youth Forum the group who won in the Community Cohesion category and the “Mayor's Award” as well as Philippe Granger of Rushey Green Time Bank who won for their work in partnership with the NHS.

African Diaspora Conference

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, hosted the first African Diaspora Conference at City Hall on 19 February. Pastor Nims Obunge MBE chaired the one-day conference and Richard, on behalf of the Mayor, welcomed all those who attended. Speakers at the Conference included Neil Walker, Community Relations Manager for LOCOG, James Cleverly AM – The Mayor’s Youth Ambassador, and Helen Davies, Policy Manager for Health at the GLA.

The African Diaspora Conference was created to enable the Mayor and the GLA to improve its engagement with African and African Caribbean Londoners. It was a key opportunity to inform and engage with the community on key Mayoral priorities and strategies including ‘Time for Action’, ‘Equal Life Chances For All’, ‘Health Inequalities Strategy’ and the opportunities presented by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It also enabled the GLA to showcase the many ways in which it works with London’s Black Communities, from ‘Africa Day’ to The London Schools and the Black Child Conference and was a chance to hear from all Black Londoners, especially those from newer or ‘hidden’ communities and showed them how they can play a greater role in shaping London’s future.

The Conference emphasised the shared heritages of Africans in London, whether they come from Jamaica, Nigeria, Somalia or Guyana. The event finished by asking delegates to break into workshops on Health, Crime, Equal Life Chances For All and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Opportunities. The workshops fed back to the main conference and the workshop responses will all be absorbed by the appropriate policy teams at the GLA.

The London Carers’ Advisory Group

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, chaired the inaugural meeting of the London Carers’ Advisory Group at City Hall on 23 February. This group will support the Mayor in delivering a plan of action to improve the quality of life of informal carers in London.

Attended by representatives from across carers’ groups and organisations in London, as well as representatives from Government and local authorities, the meeting sought to discuss a host of issues concerning carers and health. Discussions also focused on the Carers Health Event to be held at City Hall in March and a possible roundtable meeting on the retention of carers in employment this Summer. Presentations were made by GLA officers on the Mayor’s Health Inequalities Strategy and the Equal Life Chances For All framework.

15 Economic and Business Policy

New Apprenticeships in Capital

On 23 February, the start of national Apprenticeship Week, I announced that the GLA group is well on its way to providing more than 3,000 apprenticeships over the next three years. A raft of different training opportunities, including work placements will be on offer, ranging from customer services to electrical engineering, which will create a better skilled workforce and boost the capital’s economy.

My Economic Recovery Action Plan published last December set out a range of measures to help support the capital during the economic downturn, including the GLA group providing at least 1,000 apprenticeships a year until 2012, as well as work placement opportunities.

Transport for London and its contractors will be recruiting around 650 adult and 115 young apprentices over the next year and the Metropolitan Police Service and Metropolitan Police Authority are advancing plans to provide over 150 apprenticeships.

Most importantly, the group is working closely with existing and potential suppliers to encourage them to create apprenticeship schemes. We are also taking forward innovative new contract terms with our major suppliers that promote skills and training programmes. This fresh approach to procurement will have a ripple effect, which I believe will create thousands of additional training opportunities across the capital over the coming years.

Manufacturing Advisory Service

The London Development Agency today announced plans to launch a revised and improved advice service for manufacturing businesses in the capital, as part of my Economic Action Recovery plan. This service will offer unique support to manufacturing small- and medium- enterprises (SMEs), particularly those with the potential to innovate and grow - companies which have been assessed with potential to succeed in the changing and fiercely competitive global environment.

This will allow London's innovative and high tech firms to take full advantage of the expert advice we are offering to businesses in the capital to help them during the downturn. I want to see this sector totally prepared and fighting fit to meet the challenges it faces in what will undoubtedly be a highly competitive global market.

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business Question Time

On 23 February, I spoke at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Question Time. The event was attended by approximately 190 businesses and I outlined what I am doing to support business in London before answering questions from the audience. Questions ranged from what I am going to do to address the housing shortage in London in light of the recession and whether I had plans to abolish the congestion charge completely. A quick straw pole revealed that the majority of attendees did not want to see the central congestion charge zone abolished.

2012 Business Opportunities

On 9 March, I urged London’s businesses to exploit all the opportunities that are coming to London as it prepares to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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My call coincides with the beginning of a major London Development Agency campaign to help London's businesses survive the recession. It includes the distribution of a “2012 Business Guide” to help small and medium-sized firms access Olympic contracts and benefit from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities available before, during and after the 2012 Games.

These initiatives are part of a comprehensive range of measures I am already taking to support businesses in London and help Londoners who lose their jobs. Already GLA group budgets of £3 billion a year have been re-focussed to help businesses find new opportunities to win GLA contracts. We have also stepped up business support and advice services (such as Business Link which received an astounding 5,000 calls in January). The GLA Group has halved the time it takes to settle its invoices and I hope others will follow this example. I have introduced a range of measures to help those unfortunate enough to lose their jobs with advice and programmes to help them retrain and quickly find new jobs as well as introducing half price bus fares to help job seekers attend interviews. Above all I am applying constant pressure to ensure that investment in major infrastructure projects in London such as Crossrail, the tube upgrade and the 2012 Games continue without delay to support businesses, jobs and the capital's economy.

Finsbury Event

On 26 February, I spoke at a dinner hosted by Roland Rudd, Senior Partner, Finsbury. The dinner was attended by a number of Chairmen/CEOs of large companies including Peter Sands of Standard Chartered Bank and Sir Michael Rake of BT. I spoke to the attendees about my thoughts on the current economic situation, what I was doing to help businesses in London and what I saw as the danger of losing sight of the great benefits free markets have brought to the world.

Promoting London to International Investors

On 10 and 11 March, I attended the MIPIM, the world’s premier property conference in Cannes, where I highlighted the multitude of investment opportunities that London offers - from the 2012 Olympics, to major infrastructure projects like Crossrail.

The MIPIM property conference brings together the most influential decision-makers in the market and I took every opportunity to promote London as the place to invest in and locate to.

I also unveiled Think London’s economic action plan, “London Now” to encourage more overseas companies to locate in the capital. Building relations with overseas companies is a key part of ‘London Now’, with high-profile events planned throughout 2009. ‘London Now’ will also see Think London work in co-operation with key commercial partners to generate up to £1 million, which will be used to provide further world-class services in support of overseas investors in London such as offering bespoke intelligence about London, business opportunities and connections. GLA overseas staff will also assist with initiatives to attract foreign companies to choose London as a business destination.

On 5 March, I called on international businesses wanting to trade in the global market to make London their base as the capital was rated the top global financial centre in a new survey published by the City of London.

17 The Global Financial Services Index of international financial professionals shows that while many other international financial centres are sliding back in the rankings London remains ahead of New York and resilient and strong to the global downturn.

Roundtable Meeting with Volunteering Organisations

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, chaired a roundtable meeting of volunteering organisations at City Hall on 16 February. Organisations that attended the meeting included Greater London Volunteering, TimeBank, YouthNet and Volunteering England.

The aim of the meeting was to look at the key issues facing volunteering organisations in the capital. These included the future of volunteer centres, the relationship between organisations and local authorities, the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Action Plan and the volunteering legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games.

Measures to Tackle the Economic Downturn

On 19 February, I outlined my commitment to work with London’s boroughs to tackle the financial downturn and confirmed my support for a series of innovative measures that councils across the capital are taking to support businesses and jobseekers.

London’s boroughs have responded in a number of ways to the economic downturn and specific needs of residents and businesses in their areas. These include keeping council tax levels down, setting up apprenticeship schemes, building homes for London, encouraging volunteering, supporting businesses and new measures to help Londoners with their mortgage payments.

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Legacy Delivery Vehicle

I have agreed to start the recruitment process for the Chair and the Chief Executive Officer of the Legacy Delivery Vehicle due to be established in April 2009. I have also noted the selection of Odgers following the procurement process which was in accordance with the GLA Contracts Code and GLA internal procedures.

I have agreed that the search consultants will be funded from the GLA contingency budget at an expected maximum cost of £85,800 and approved a virement of £85,800 from the GLA contingency budget to the Olympics and Thames Gateway budget.

Planning Guidance for the Olympic Park

I have approved the preparation and production of the Mayoral Strategic Planning Guidance for the Olympic Park and fringe area.

I have accepted a conditional grant of £244,500 from the London Development Agency for the purposes of Planning Guidance preparation and production.

I have recommended that the Head of Paid Services approves the creation of four fixed term posts for no more than 12 months, on a fixed term contract, or through an agency, to either back-fill pre- existing posts while the Secondee works on the Guidance, or to fill a post created under approval.

18 I have also agreed to procure additional technical consultancy, consultation and publication work as required and in accordance with the GLA's Contracts Code.

ODA and LOCOG Diversity Week

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, attended the ODA and LOCOG Diversity Week Conference at Freshfields in Fleet Street on 9 March.

London 2012 hosted ‘Everyone’s 2012’, it’s first Equality and Diversity Week, throughout the week commencing 9 March. Throughout the week a range of events and activities for stakeholders, local communities and employees were held to raise the profile of equality and diversity as a central part of the London 2012 Games. The conference in particular aimed to –

• Profile the work of London 2012 on equality and diversity, highlighting the aspirations and programmes being delivered to make the London 2012 Games the most diverse and inclusive games ever • Outline the achievements made in equality and inclusion to date • Outline the programmes and schemes being implemented by the ODA and LOCOG

The Deputy Mayor spoke on the first day of the Conference and outlined the work and approach of the Mayor and the GLA towards attaining Equality and Diversity at the Games in 2012.

London 2012 Consultation Meeting

My Deputy Mayor, Richard Barnes, spoke at the London 2012 Consultation Meeting for Key London Organisations of Disabled and Deaf People at the LOCOG Offices in Canary Wharf on 10 March.

The meeting was a high profile gathering with speakers from the GLA, LDA, TfL, LOCOG, ODA and representatives from London’s deaf and disabled community. A great deal of progress has been made since the first meeting in January 2008 of this forum and attendees were updated on progress. The meeting was also an opportunity for the Olympic and Paralympic delivery bodies to listen to concerns from the deaf and disabled community and to engage in dialogue on major developments.

The Deputy Mayor welcomed attendees to the meeting on behalf of the Mayor as well as chairing a Q and A session at lunchtime and formally closing the day.

Local Government Relations

Meeting with the Leader of Merton

On 12 February, I met with the Leader of Merton, Councillor David Williams. Amongst other issues we discussed housing delivery, transport issues and the Outer London Commission

Meeting with the Leader of Lambeth

On 2 March, I met with the Leader of Lambeth, Councillor Steve Reed and our discussion centred around reducing youth crime in the borough.

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Meeting with the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

On 6 March, I met with Stuart Fraser, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee at the City of London Corporation. We discussed a range of issues including Crossrail, the London economy and planning policy.

Government and Parliamentary Relations

Meeting with the Prime Minister

On 25 February, I met with the Prime Minister and we discussed Electric Vehicles; transport investment; housing flexibilities; tourism funding for London; and decentralised energy.

Meeting with the Minister of State for Transport

On 27 February. I met with Lord Adonis and we discussed Crossrail; and London Rail/ Overground.

Meeting with the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

On 6 March, I met with Lord Mandelson and we discussed Electric Vehicles; promoting a low- carbon economy; vehicle scrappage schemes; tourism funding for London; the Mayor’s Academies Programme; and the current financial situation in London, including housing, and how the City is responding.

Housing

Housing Strategy

In response to their comments on the draft London Housing Strategy, and in line with the requirements of the GLA Act 2007, I made a written statement to the Assembly on 10 March 2009.

This statement shows where I intend to make changes to the strategy as a result of the Assembly’s comments, and where not, the reason for this.

Millions to Help First Time Buyers

On 3 March, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and I, unveiled a multi-million pound initiative which will help thousands of Londoners to get onto the property ladder as well as providing millions of pounds to kick start affordable housing developments that have stalled during the economic downturn.

The funding package will deliver around 3,000 new affordable homes for Londoners across a range of sites, and is also kick starting my ‘First Steps’, low cost home ownership initiative, a major manifesto commitment. First Steps is designed to promote a range of products that help more Londoners to own their own home by offering a flexible alternative to the full expense of open market options.

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Half of today’s package is a portfolio of sites being rolled out by L&Q (London & Quadrant Housing Trust). A £42 million investment by London HCA Board will support the delivery of nearly 500 ‘intermediate rent’ homes, which will offer occupiers a discounted rent (at 80% of the market rate) for as long as they need, until they are in a position to buy. This new package of intermediate rented homes – which L&Q will market as ‘Up2U’ - will trigger nearly 900 additional affordable homes for rent on the sites concerned, so the total L&Q package amounts to more than 1,400 new homes.

The HCA London Board also confirmed that it will allocate a further £93 million at five stalled development sites over the next 12 months, as part of its new £135 million strategy to kick start housing construction in the capital. This will see a further 1,500 units, with a longer term potential to provide 6,000 more, of which well over a half will be affordable homes. As well as providing flexible low cost home ownership opportunities, this huge boost to the London housing market will support the construction industry during the downturn, safeguarding jobs, and leading the way for a UK wide approach to tackling the downturn in the housing sector.

Taking Action to End Rough Sleeping

On 12 February, I launched the London Delivery Board and outlined my commitment to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2012. I also met with members of the homeless community at the event at the Broadway Centre in Shepherd’s Bush.

Half of the country’s rough sleepers are found on London streets, which amounts to around 3,000 people over the course of a year. There has been a decline in the number of rough sleepers in the capital in the past ten years, but London is the only region in the country that has failed to meet the government’s 1998 target to reduce rough sleeping by two-thirds. A key reason for this failure has been the lack of a co-ordinated response that works across geographical and organisational boundaries.

The new Board provides a fresh and dynamic approach underpinned by strong partnerships, a shared response and common ownership of the problem. It is comprised of senior level representatives from influential voluntary and public sector bodies including local authorities, leading charities and central government, and span a range of support services that include social, health, and drugs and alcohol. It brings together for the first time key stakeholders who are all committed to ending rough sleeping in the capital by 2012.

Culture and Events

First “Maslenitsa” Russian Festival

On 1 March, the first Maslenitsa Russian Festival was held on Potters Fields Park. The event marks the traditional Russian pre-lent celebrations (akin to a weeklong version of Shrove Tuesday) and is the day to eat blini or pancakes. A unique blend of Russian music, dance and theatre was performed from the mainstage, with audiences also experiencing Russian food, drink and crafts.

My Deputy Mayor of Government Relations, Ian Clement, attended the event on my behalf. Funding of £40,000 from the LDA was provided to support the delivery of this event, which was also supported by the Russian Embassy, Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation and the Moscow City Government and the Russian Speaking Council.

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Maslenitsa provided a unique opportunity for the wider community to share in the rich diversity of Russian culture. As well as engaging the Russian community, the event gave an opportunity for encouraging trade links between two countries.

The Launch of The Story of London

On 26 February, amidst the historic surroundings of Hampton Court Palace, I unveiled plans for the Story of London, a month-long celebration of the city's past, present and future to attract tourists and Londoners alike.

From Historic Royal Palaces' spectacular Tudor river pageant marking the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's coronation, with the King, his Queen and a magnificent flotilla sailing up the River Thames, to pop culture in Carnaby Street and jousting at Eltham Palace, there will be something for everybody, with dozens of events and activities in every borough throughout June.

Other highlights will look at London's past, present and future across fashion, art and music, together with a major series of events celebrating 15 years of the Heritage Lottery Fund in London. Historians Tristram Hunt, Simon Schama, Lisa Jardine and Andrew Roberts are also amongst those getting involved.

2009 EAST Festival

The EAST Festival returns for its third year championing the vibrant and unique cultural life of East London over six days from 5 to 10 March 2009. EAST is a Greater London Authority initiative in partnership with Visit London, Barbican Centre, Serious, Whitechapel Gallery, Fashion East, Museum of London, Museum in Docklands, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Rich Mix, Spitalfields New Market and Wedge Cards.

With over 300 events, many of them free, presented by over 100 organisations EAST will put the spotlight on the unique creativity of the area through music, visual arts, theatre, literature, cinema, history and fashion in venues from Whitechapel, Hackney, Spitalfields, Stratford, Canary Wharf, Barbican to the boundaries of the City.

This year’s EAST festival has three key themes: navigation, art in the digital space and the Asian Subcontinent.

2009 EAST Festival - Delivery

I have approved the delivery of the East festival on 5-10 March 09 (the "Festival") by the GLA Cultural Campaigns team in partnership with Visit London and City Fringe Partnership (together, the "Lead Partners").

I have approved a total budget allocation of £95,000 as the GLA's contribution towards the delivery of the Festival. The £95,000 budget will be met with £20,000 from the allocated 2008/09 Cultural Campaigns programme budget and with £75,000 from the Project Development Fund.

I have also retrospectively agreed that Visit London, on behalf of the other Lead Partners, procure the services of both Time Out in preparation and production of the Festival Guide and Olive in preparation and production of the Evaluation Report on the Festival.

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£60,000 of the afore mentioned £95,000 total GLA budget will be paid to Visit London in respect of the design and printing of the Festival Guide (£50,000) and preparation of the evaluation report on the Festival (£10,000).

Services procured by the GLA will be in accordance with GLA procedures and the GLA Contracts Code for marketing activities in relation to the Festival including Guide promotion and advertising, estimated to have a total value of £35,000, and to enter into any resulting contract for the provision of such services.

St Patrick’s Day

I have approved the events celebrating St Patrick's Day including a Central London Parade and a Major Event on Trafalgar Square, noting the termination of the GLA's contract with Windfield Promotions Ltd as event producers for the London St Patrick's Day Festival.

I have approved the undertaking of competitive procurement exercises and the award of contracts to the bidders providing the most economically advantageous submissions in respect of the following goods and services necessary for the delivery of the events: a) Production management to the value of up to £45,000; b) Staging up to the value of £10,000; c) Large Screen on Trafalgar Square up to the value of £9,000; d) Stewarding/Security up to the value of £30,000; e) Traffic Management up to the value of £16,000; f) Trafalgar Square artist management up to the value of £20,000; and g) Event Safety Officer up to the Value of £7,000.

St George’s Day

I have approved support for an event to celebrate English culture through its music, to mark the occasion of St George's Day, to take place on Trafalgar Square on 25 April.

I have also approved the use of £30,000 from the 2008/09 Culture Events budget, and a budget of £110,000 from the 2009/10 Culture Events budget to cover all associated expenditure for both events (to be allocated as set out below):

• Up to £49,000 for event production procurement for the TS event, this to include event management, staging, infrastructure, health and safety for this event; • Up to £36,000 for TS event programming procurement, including booking and contracting all artists for this event; • Up to £15,000 for marketing and publicity activities, event branding, TS costs and contingency costs relating to the TS event; and • Up to £40,000 to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in grant funding, as a contribution to their event to celebrate Shakspeare's birthday (also on 25 April) and the launch of the 2009 theatre season, this event to take place on 19 April 2009.

I have agreed to the commencement of competitive procurement exercises to source event production and programming services and subsequent award by the Executive Director - Resources of contracts for those services to the bidders submitting the most economically advantageous proposals without the need for a further DD.

23 Finally, I have approved the Executive Director - Resources' agreement of and entry into a grant funding agreement with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre for a sum of up to £40,000 without the need for a further DD.

Museum of London

I have approved the transfer of the lease of the Museum of the Port of London and Docklands from the Museum of the Port of London and Docklands (registered charity) to the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

GLA Organisation

Transcription Services

I have approved the procurement of a transcription service for 3 years (the London Assembly and the rest of the GLA and functional bodies - as necessary). I have also noted the subsequent approval of the Executive Director of Secretariat to any award of a transcription service contract following evaluation on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender received.

Council Tax Leaflets

I have approved the text for the Greater London Authority to be included in the 2009/10 council tax leaflets which will be circulated to London's business rate and council taxpayers by the 33 billing authorities (the 32 boroughs and the Corporation of London) during March 2009.

Museum of London

I have approved the Funding Agreement which sets out the conditions of funding from the GLA to the Museum of London for the period commencing 1 April 2008 until 31 March 2011, to provide financial assistance to the Museum of London Group in the delivery of the Group's objectives as described under Schedule 2 of the Funding Agreement, including, inter alia, enhancement of the cultural offer of London.

HR and Payroll system

I have approved a further extension of the contract with Northgate Arinso for the provision of the HR system and the Payroll managed service for an additional six months, from 31 March 2010 to 30 September 2010, with an estimated additional value of up to 50K. This includes the related exemption from the requirements of section 7.1 of the GLAs Contracts Code or Practice ("the Code") on the basis that to do so provides compatibility with an existing service.

Authorisation for Contractual Disputes

I have agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director - Resources and to the Head of Law acting jointly to handle matters relating to all contractual disputes between the GLA and third parties, where such disputes involve payments of amounts up to a level of not more than £100,000.

24 Authorisation for Olympic Funding

I have authorised the Director of Resources and the Mayoral Adviser (Olympics) to approve, after a recommendation for approval from the Olympic Project Review Group, Olympic Delivery Authority projects estimated to cost in excess of £20 million (excl VAT); and proposals of expenditure for any purpose that is novel, contentious or repercussive.

Business Continuity Service

I have approved the undertaking of a competitive procurement exercise to identify the most economically advantageous solutions for the provision of a Business Continuity Service providing recovery in the event of a major incident at City Hall. I have also approved the Executive Director - Resources' award of any contract to the bidder submitting the most economically advantageous bid.

Planning and Development Control

Outer London Commission

I have approved the establishment of an Outer London Commission to make recommendations about changes to London Plan and other policies to help enable outer London to play a full part in the Capital's success.

I have approved the appointment of William McKee CBE to chair the Commission and the payment to the Commission chairman of £10,000, in two tranches of £5,000 in 2008/09 and 2009/10, plus travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in exercising this responsibility.

I have also approved payment of reasonable expenses to commission members in exercising their responsibilities, up to an initial limit of £5,000. As well as, printing and publishing the report of the Commission at a cost not exceeding £2,500.

Replacement London Plan

I have agreed to allocate an amount of not more than £80,000 to procure specialist technical services for an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and not more than £50,000 to procure specialist technical services for the Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA). Both services are required for the replacement London Plan and specified amounts will come from the London Plan Team budget.

I have also approved the commencement of mini competition processes under the GLA Framework for the provision of "London Plan" Related Consultancy Services for the IIA and for the provision of "London Plan" related Consultancy Services for the HRA. The subsequent contracts will be awarded to the tenderers submitting the most economically advantageous tenders.

The Design Advisory Panel

I have approved the establishment of a Mayor's Design Advisory Panel ("the Panel") and Governance Protocol ("the Panel Protocol"), and the appointment of the selected members of the Panel. I have delegated final approval of the Panel Protocol to the Executive Director of

25 Development and Environment, GLA, in consultation with the Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning.

I have also approved the establishment of the Design Advisory Forum ("the Forum") and Governance Protocol ("the Forum Protocol"), and the appointment of selected members of the Forum. I have delegated final approval of the Forum Protocol to the Executive Director of Development and the Environment, GLA, in consultation with the Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning.

London Plan Open Space Strategies

I have approved the London Plan Open Space Strategies Best Practice Guide for printing and publishing as a joint document with CABE Space in March 2009.

Farringdon Urban Design Study

I have approval the commission of The Farringdon Urban Design Study by East.

Planning Decisions (Stage II referrals)

157-183 Waterloo Road, LB Southwark I have written to the London Borough of Southwark stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

40 Common Road, LB Harrow I have written to the London Borough of Harrow stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

153-157 Road, LB Southwark I have written to the London Borough of Southwark stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

81 Black Prince Road, LB Lambeth I have written to the London Borough of Lambeth stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Riverside Sewage Treatment Works, LB Havering I have written to the London Borough of Havering stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

276 Bath Road, 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.

Airport Bowl, Bath Road, 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.

Arundel Great Court, 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.

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

St Mary’s University, LB Richmond The Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning has written to the London Borough of Richmond stating that he has decided not to direct refusal of this application.

Olympic Handball Arena, Olympic Delivery Authority The Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning has written to the Olympic Delivery Authority stating that his is content to allow the Authority 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:

• Brent Cross, LB Brent • 2-14 Baker Street, City of Westminster • Digby Road, LB Hackney • Yeoman House, LB Bromley • 2-12 High Street Stratford, LB Newham • Holland Estate, LB Tower Hamlets • Rathbone Market, LB Newham • Storage Yard, Park Avenue, LB Ealing • Aldgate Place, LB Tower Hamlets • 15-17 Leman Street, LB Tower Hamlets • Crouch Hill Nursery, LB Islington • Former Hayes Stadium, LB Hillingdon • Hertsmere House, LB Tower Hamlets • Crown Wharf, LB Newham • Thames Wharf, LB Newham • 1 Westmoreland Road, LB Bromley • , LB Southwark • Roding Lane North, LB Redbridge • Tileman House, LB Wandsworth • 21 Barlow Way, LB Havering • Canada Water Site E, LB Southwark • Canada Water Site C, LB Southwark • 10 Trinity Square, City of London • Longford House, LB Hillingdon • Compund D Hotel Site, Terminal 5, LB Hillingdon • Rainham Landfill, LB Havering • The Mardyke Estate, LB Havering • 33-49 Deptford Bridge, LB Greenwich

27 The Deputy Mayor, Policy and Planning, under powers I delegated to him, has asked officer to send letters giving comments about the following stage one referrals:

• 119 Farringdon Road, LB Islington • City Forum, 250 City Road, LB Islington

Decisions made under delegation to Head of Planning Decisions

• Former Cantaurs Sports Ground, LB Hounslow • Bromley Town Centre Area Action Plan, consultation draft, LB Bromley • Former Safeways, 2 Gladstone Place, LB Tower Hamlets • Olympic Site Boundary to north of Stratford Town Centre, east of the Lea Valley Navigation, south of the Eastway and the A12 and west of the Lea Valley railway, Olympic Delivery Authority • Eaton Manor Sports Ground, Olympic Delivery Authority • Permanent Stadium Bridges, 2012 Olympic Park, Olympic Delivery Authority • 40 Common Road, LB Harrow • Land at Herbert Road, City of Westminster • Leyton Youth Centre & George Mitchell Schools Sites – draft planning brief consultation for proposed Campus Development, LB Waltham Forest • Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document – draft consultation, LB Havering

Key Engagements

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

• I attended a photo op to mark the planting of the first of 10,000 Trees on 12 February • I had lunch with Geordie Greig on 12th February • I visited Albany House & Windsor House to meet TfL Staff on 12 February • I hosted a lunch to discuss current issues in London with Key Stakeholders on 13 February • I met with Merrick Cockell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea on 13 February • I opened the new Library & Arts Centre at Larmenier School on 13 February • I met with Lord Coe & Paul Deighton, LOCOG on 23 February • I met with Sir Paul Stephenson, Met Commissioner on 23 February • I spoke at a Crossrail Project Seminar on 24 February • I attended the London Planning Awards on 24 February • I met with Jennette Arnold AM on 24 February • I met with Roger Evans AM & James Cleverly AM on 24 February • I attended a photo session with Peter Hendy and a winning bidder from the London Transport Museum auction on 24 February • I met with the Mayor of Buenos Aires on 25 February • I attended Mayor’s Question Time on 25 February • I met with the Prime Minister on 25 February • I chaired the Regular Planning Meeting on 25 February

28 • I attended the Cabinet Committee (NSID/PSR) to discuss Olympic security on 25 February • I met with Sir Paul Stephenson, Met Commissioner on 25 February • I chaired the MPA Full Authority Meeting on 26 February • I attended a sandwich lunch for journalists on 26 February • I attended the Bureau of Leaders on 26 February • I met with Daniel Moylan on 26 February • I met with Transport for London on 26 February • I chaired the Homes & Communities Agency London Board on 27 February • I met with Lord Adonis on 27 February • I had lunch with Daniel Moylan on 2 March • I met with the Leader of Lambeth on 2 March • I met with Hugh Robertson & Jeremy Hunt on 2 March • I met with Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF Energy on 2 March • I announced the First Steps Programme on 3 March • I spoke at ECO Build on 3 March • I met with Daniel Moylan on 3 March • I met with Richard Tracey AM & Lord Sterling on 3 March • I announced the winners of the Priority Parks Competition on 4 March • I chaired the Regular Planning Meeting on 4 March • I addressed the London Crimestoppers Dinner on 4 March • I met with Andrew Boff AM on 4 March • I met with Harvey McGrath & Peter Rogers LDA on 5 March • I visited Palestra to meet with LDA staff on 5 March • I attended the London Pledge for Children Care launch on 5 March • I met with Better Place on 5 March • I attended a photo session with Peter Hendy and a winning bidder from the London Transport Museum auction on 5 March • I attended Peoples Question Time on 5 March • I opened the British Music Experience at the O2 on 6 March • I met with Fiona Fletcher-Smith on 6 March • I met with Peter Mandelson on 6 March • I met with Sir Robert Balchin on 6 March • I met with Stuart Fraser, City of London Corporation on 6 March • I attended the MIPIM Property Conference on 10th & 11 March

Ends

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