GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY London Assembly 27 March 2002
Appendix D Subject: Written Answers from the Assembly meeting held on 27 March 2002 Report of: Executive Director Of Secretariat
129 / 2002 - Stephen Byers Lynne Featherstone
On February 20th, Kevin Maguire and Jill Treanor wrote in The Guardian, “To preside over the financial collapse of one vital plank of Britain’s transport system has proved a tragedy for Stephen Byers, to second a suffer would be a farce.”
Why won’t the Mayor join with Liberal Democrats in calling for Stephen Byers to go, and to take his ill-fated, unloved and unworkable PPP plans with him?
The PPP was devised by the Treasury not by Stephen Byers, therefore I do not believe he ought to resign over this matter
130 / 2002 - Draft Cultural Strategy Mike Tuffrey What has happened to your draft cultural strategy?
Following the submission of the Cultural Strategy Group’s advice to me before Christmas my staff have agreed how to proceed on the development of my draft Cultural Strategy. I want to ensure that the strategy has a robust evidence base and a clear policy framework. The CSG conducted a range of research and consultation which has contributed to the strategy work but there are some areas that I want to see strengthened and to this end further work is being carried out over the next few months. I anticipate signing off a draft before the summer and it coming to Assembly in September for scrutiny. I would hope that the draft would be published for public consultation in later this year.
131 / 2002 - Nominations to Cultural Institutions Mike Tuffrey What nominations have you made to cultural institutions in your capacity as Mayor?
I have nominated Yvonne Marson to the London Sports board, Maya Even to the board of the London Museums Agency, and Richard Sumray to the London Marathon Trust. These appointments are all from the Cultural Strategy Group. Maya Even is also a member of the board of the South Bank Centre but I did not make this appointment. In addition, I have nominated Trevor Phillips to the board of the Royal Parks, and Nicky Gavron to the London Advisory Board of English Heritage.
132 / 2002 - Student Access to Financial Support Graham Tope
How will the Mayor use his influence to ensure that students in London have as much access to financial support as students in other regions within the UK?
There is growing evidence that a combination of the high cost of living in London and the abolition of maintenance grants is pricing poorer students out of studying in London. This comes out strongly in two reports on higher education in London which I will be publishing next month.
I have consistently argued that the government was wrong to abolish grants and introduce tuition fees, most recently at a 10,000 strong National Union Students rally in Trafalgar Square on 20 February. I will be making a submission to the government’s higher education review reiterating this point.
I am able to use Mayoral powers to make some direct improvements to student living standards. In particular this year a record 174,000 students have taken advantage of the 30% travel discount via the TfL Student Photocard. I have asked TfL to examine extending the discount to include part-time students in hardship.
133 / 2002 - Assistance to Cultural Institutions Mike Tuffrey What financial or other assistance have you provided to museums, galleries, libraries, archives or other cultural institutions in Greater London?
I have given support to a number of cultural institutions. In the heritage sector, officer advice and support has been given to the London Museums Agency, facilitating a meeting on the establishment of a London museum hub. Museums represented at the meeting included the Museum of London, the Grange Museum, Croydon Clocktower, the Horniman Museum, and the Geffrye Museum. Officers are working closely with Cultural Partners for London which includes London Arts, Heritage Lottery Fund, the London Libraries Development Agency and the Area Archives Council.
I have explained in separate answers how I am supporting events and festivals that celebrate the cultural diversity of London, attract tourism and encourage economic development. 134 / 2002 - PPP, Risk Involved to Londoners Lynne Featherstone The Liberal Democrat team’s visit to the ‘Bids Room’ at London Underground to inspect the PPP draft contracts confirms us in our view that London council tax payers and funding for buses and street management are all potentially at risk if the PPP deal goes wrong. Can the Mayor give his own view of the risk involved to Londoners, and give an indication of what sort of rise in the GLA precept on council tax might be needed?
The latest draft of the PPP contracts show that virtually no risk is now being taken by the private sector Infracos over the life of the PPP contracts. With regard to cost overruns, the Infracos are only liable for up to £50m over the first seven-and-a-half years of the PPP, a tiny amount of risk when one considers the PPP is likely to cost over £1bn a year in Infrastructure Service Charges alone.
Furthermore, the Infracos total equity investment (an amount somewhat above £500m to be paid in over seven-and-a-half years) is not at risk until an LUL funded contingency fund of over £1bn over the same seven-and-a-half year period is exhausted. This money is also available to fund overruns, but if not needed for this purpose, it can be converted into profit.
In total, if the Infracos are successful in exploiting all the financial avenues open to them through this PPP, then the rate of returns they can expect to achieve are way in excess of the 15-20% quoted by London Underground and Government sources. In fact, they would top the 35% figure that I have quoted in the past.
In TfL’s recently published report, “Interim Consultation Response to London Transport”, it is estimated the private sector Infracos stand to make upwards of £4bn from what is now no more than a glorified maintenance contract.
As if all this were not bad enough, the Comfort Letter drawn up by Government places Transport for London (TfL), and consequently the GLA, first in line when it comes to meeting the potential financial liabilities I have just outlined. Despite Government and Underground spin to the contrary, there is no long-term Treasury funding commitment to PPP – a fact confirmed by LT Deputy Chairman Brian Appleton at the most recent Transport Sub-Committee hearing into the PPP. Instead, there is a TfL guarantee of all payments to the Infracos.
The consequences of all this for London are staggering.
With TfL and GLA placed squarely at the front of the queue in terms of paying for this outrageously expensive PPP, and with no long-term funding guarantee from Treasury, my entire planned investment programme to improve London’s transport system is placed at risk.
And if the Transport Budget is sucked dry by the PPP, the burden could fall on London’s taxpayers through the Council Tax precept.
At this stage, it is impossible to predict just how much the PPP will cost London. Suffice to say, these PPP contracts are now little more than a licence to rob London.
135 / 2002 - PPP Safety Issues Lynne Featherstone What progress is being made by the Health and Safety Executive in getting London Underground Limited to resolve the 52 safety issues they have raised with them over the PPP arrangements? What kind of delay is this process going to cause to finalising the PPP contracts?
Unfortunately, I must refer you to the Health and Safety Executive.
However, it is widely acknowledged by transport and safety experts that breaking up a unified Tube system into four different organisations, as well as replicating the key split of operation of trains from maintenance of the track – a key problem in the collapse of Railtrack – increases the safety risk.
This fact was even acknowledged by the London Transport Board in their 1997 Report, “The Future for London Underground – Evaluation of Options”, prepared when PPP was first floated as an idea for the Tube, which reported that PPP was clearly an inferior safety model.
136 / 2002 - Taxis After 10pm each evening Lynne Featherstone Since the introduction of your new ‘black cab’ fares regime, how many more taxis are there on the streets of central London after 10 pm each evening?
Transport for London have been conducting surveys of the supply of taxis at night since the fare change, both on the streets and at ranks in Central London and on suburban ranks .
The results demonstrate, in general, good availability of taxis nearly everywhere. One taxi radio circuit reports a 20% increase in cabs available at night.
However data on the supply of taxis at night was never collected prior to the fare change and so it is not possible to make definitive comparisons.
Anecdotally, I have lived in London all my life and have never known so many taxis available for hire at night in central London.
Survey information was given to the Transport Operational Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting, and Peter Hendy has offered the detailed results.
137 / 2002 - Growth in London Population Graham Tope Oral Is the predicted growth in Londons population sustainable? answer
138 / 2002 - Consultation Protocols Sally Hamwee
In your role as Chair of TfL you agreed that a protocol should be drawn up to ensure proper consultation is undertaken before TfL embark on new schemes. Are you planning to make sure that similar protocols exist when you undertake consultations as Mayor?
I support the principle that locally elected representatives should be informed and consulted on initiatives proposed for their areas in advance. I suggested at Functional Bodies Question Time on 13 March that the Assembly come up with a working protocol which would also deal with the London-wide member issue. I am happy to discuss this when it is completed.
I am very happy for the principle and any protocols to apply not just to TfL but to the core GLA and to my consultations as Mayor as well. 139 / 2002 - Police Stations in Wanstead and Woodford Roger Evans
Taking into account the recent increase in street crime in Redbridge, are there any plans to make the police stations at Wanstead and Woodford fully- staffed and operational?
Operational policing decisions of this nature are a matter for the Metropolitan Police Service. It is for the Borough Commander to decide on the level of front counter service.
With regard to Woodford and Wanstead the Commissioner informs me that both these stations provide a limited front counter service, reflecting the level of demand, which is low for front counter trade. The current opening times are commensurate with the demand on these facilities and the need to direct operational resources within the Borough to where they are needed most.
I have been advised that the two 24 hour response stations of Ilford & Barkingside continue to be the most operationally efficient means of deploying police resources across the Borough.
140 / 2002 - Crossrail Roger Evans
Now that the proposed routes for the Crossrail project does not include a line serving South Havering and Rainham, are there any new transport improvements planned for this area?
As you rightly say a possible alignment of Crossrail routes in East London that served the Barking - Rainham corridor has not been included in the short list of Crossrail options to be studied further. That does not mean there will be no improvement in transport in the South Havering and Rainham area. My Transport Strategy includes several initiatives that will benefit this area, the main one involving new transport provision being the East London Transit – a high quality bus/trolley bus proposal.
Expansion of the bus network is already happening and will continue. Last autumn new accessible buses and improved frequencies were implemented on many routes.
Additionally my Transport Strategy includes the East London Transit (ELT). Last summer TfL consulted on two possible routes for ELT, both of which served Rainham, one from Elm Park to the north and one from Barking to the west. TfL are currently considering the responses received. TfL are investigating the possible implementation of ELT in stages and including an alignment from Barking to Rainham. As a result of the consultation a second alignment in this corridor, to the south of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), is being considered to determine whether it will allow greater segregation and bring greater benefits than the proposed alignment to the north of the CTRL. The assessment will also need to take into account proposals to serve parts of Barking with an extension of the DLR.
141 / 2002 - Ilford Station Improvements Roger Evans
Will there be improvements carried out to Ilford station as part of the new Crossrail project?
An upgrade of the station is expected. It is likely that the platforms would be lengthened to accommodate the new Crossrail trains. Also information systems, ticketing facilities and signage would conform to the standards on the rest of the Crossrail network. TfL have recently carried out improvements to interchange signs at Ilford and will also be seeking to further enhance multi-modal interchange facilities in the area should the proposed East London Transit be implemented.
142 / 2002 - Central Line Improvements Roger Evans Can the Mayor tell me what improvements to the Central Line the government have decided will not be carried out to the: a) trains b) track c) stations under the PPP contracts?
With regard to Central Line trains, no new or refurbished trains are required until 2016.
With regard to the track, its really only a guess what the Infracos might do. By contrast, the achievement of a state of good repair for all track has been deferred from the 15-year review point to the 22-and-a-half year review point.
With regard to stations, just 61 stations in the entire London Underground network are due to be modernised over the first seven-and-a-half years of the PPP, down from 218 over the course of the 30 year PPP. 135 station modernisation programmes have been dropped completely.
On the Central Line alone, 26 stations have been cut from the program altogether, six have been deferred to the second seven-and-a-half year period, and 13 removed from the modernisation programme within the first seven-and-a-half years.
143 / 2002 - Contaminated Land Roger Evans
What action are you taking to ensure that contaminated land is fully cleaned up before development?
My involvement is through the LDA which is involved with contaminated land in two ways. The first is through programmes of assistance to third parties and the second is land that the LDA itself owns or controls. In both cases, we ensure that sites are cleaned and cleared in accordance with the current regulations so as to enable third parties to develop satisfactorily on the sites. There are however a number of sites in London in third party ownerships, which are contaminated. These sites are the responsibility of the site owners and the LDA is not involved.
144 / 2002 - Installation of Crossings by TfL Elizabeth Howlett Can the Mayor indicate when Transport for London will install: a. The much needed crossing facility at the Lavender Hill/Latchmere Road junction in Battersea? b. The pedestrian crossing at the junction of Roehampton Lane and Upper Richmond Road which was promised 18 months ago? a) I am pleased to confirm that funding for a crossing facility at the Lavender Hill/Latchmere Road junction is included in TfL’s 2002/3 business plan. Detailed design is programmed to commence in April but a number of checks and safety audits will be necessary before the work is commissioned. At this stage it is likely that the physical works will be undertaken late in 2002 or early in 2003. b) Owing to the physical constraints, it has not been easy to find a safe and workable solution to enable a pedestrian crossing to be introduced at the junction of Roehampton Lane and Upper Richmond Road. The difficulties have now been resolved and a scheme developed which has satisfied the safety concerns. TfL are committed to improving pedestrian facilities at this junction and a bid for funding provision is to be made against the 2003/04 budget.
145 / 2002 - Marshals on Croydon Bus Routes Andrew Pelling
London Road in North Croydon has seen vicious street crimes near bus stops in the last month. Will extra bus marshals be provided down this bus corridor beyond those for the 109 bus route?
No. The Transport Policing Initiative, consisting of dedicated police officers and traffic wardens will cover the London Road into West Croydon, to the benefit of passengers using route 109 and parallel routes 60, 64, 198, 250 and 289. This corridor is one of 20 on which the TPI will be introduced between June 2002 and March 2003.
It is important to remember that the TPI is not intended to replace borough policing at individual locations. Tackling street crime remains the responsibility of the MPS through its Borough Operational Command Units. However, the TPI will offer significant support and enhancement to this work.
As I have mentioned before, the TPI will also respond to very urgent requests for assistance from London Buses on any route in circumstances where it is known that local borough policing resources would be unable to meet their operational requirements. 146 / 2002 - Proposed Red-Routing of A22 Andrew Pelling Please detail recent developments on the proposed red-routing of the A22 Godstone Road.
It is intended that red lines would only be introduced where yellow lines currently exist, with the exception of bus stops and a short length of double red line outside Kenley Police Station. Requests for short term parking or loading have been accommodated at every shopping parade. Improved provision for residents parking has also been made. However, given the level of interest locally, and following my meeting with local people and their Assembly representatives on 7th March , I have asked Derek Turner, Managing Director, TfL Street Management, to urgently review the scope for further amendments to the proposals. I expect to be in a position to discuss the way forward with relevant Assembly members shortly.
147 / 2002 - Bid for Improvements to Purley Cross Andrew Pelling Has a bid been received by TfL from Croydon Council for funds to develop schemes related to your intention to improve the pedestrian environment at Purley Cross?
All London Boroughs are currently preparing their outline bids for 2003/04, for submission to TfL in two months time
I understand that Croydon Council are currently working on a bid for works at Purley Cross which is due to be with TfL by the end of April.
I support a joint TfL/Borough approach on the proposed road changes at Purley Cross and the Council’s plans for Purley Town Centre regeneration.
148 / 2002 - Road-works on Thames Bridges Andrew Pelling What degree of co-ordination takes place regarding road works on London's bridges across the Thames?
The Thames Crossings Co-ordination Group, chaired by Transport for London Street Management, consists of representatives of the owners (either London boroughs or TfL) of all the structures crossing the Thames between the Woolwich ferry and Hampton Court bridge. The police are also invited to attend the meetings.
The group meets quarterly to co-ordinate planned works either directly associated with the structures, or work in the vicinity of the crossing that may affect traffic patterns. The aim is to ensure the minimum amount of disruption to the travelling public. The meetings also cover planned works by the statutory utility companies. All the Thames crossings are designated as ‘Streets of Special Engineering difficulty’ under the New Roads and Street Works Act which means that the utility companies have to plan their work in much greater detail than they would otherwise.
149 / 2002 - St. George's Day Andrew Pelling
How do you intend to celebrate St. George's Day? Although I have lived in London all my life, I have yet to see any evidence of a tradition or culture of celebrating St George’s Day as a public festival.
That is no doubt, in part, because there are so many celebrations of British and English culture in the course of the year: at Christmas, at New Year, our bank holidays, through the coming Golden Jubilee celebrations, numerous English food fairs, music and cultural events across London each year.
But London is highly diverse and many other cultures also contribute to London’s social and economic life and it is important that these too are recognised.
That is why I have responded positively to requests by London communities to support a number of festivals that allow all Londoners to celebrate the diversity of our city’s cultures, for example Chinese New Year, Diwali, the Notting Hill Carnival, St Patrick’s Day and others.
In the case of St Patrick’s Day more than 90 community groups and businesses co- operated with my office and GLA officers to deliver a wonderful day out not only for the 10 per cent of this city of Irish extraction but for all Londoners. I welcomed the support for the day given by Tony Blair, Iain Duncan Smith and Charles Kennedy.
Obviously, there are some who will perversely misinterpret recognition of London’s minority communities and claim it is anti-English – the artificial hue and cry about St George following my support for St Patrick’s Day is an example of this.
I believe that these events not only help promote the different cultures that go to make up our great city, but also attract tourism to London and promote economic development.
150 / 2002 - Recruitment of Police Officers Andrew Pelling
Please detail the net increase in the number of police officers recruited per month since April 2001.
See Appendix A
151 / 2002 - Retention of Police Officers Andrew Pelling
Please detail the number of police officers and police support staff who have joined and who have left the service each month since 1 April 2001.
See Appendix B
152 / 2002 - Police Officer Strength
Andrew Pelling Please detail the target workforce for civil staff each month since 1 April 2001, together with the actual strength numbers in each month.
See Appendix C
153 / 2002 - Police Officer Shortfall
Andrew Pelling
Please detail the shortfall in police officers between the establishment and posts actually filled for the latest month available in each borough command in London.
See Appendix D
154 / 2002 - Police Officer Numbers Andrew Pelling Please detail for each month since April 2001: a) The budgeted workforce target for police officers. b) The actual strength in numbers of police officers. c) The number of officers recruited each month. d) The number of officers recruited classified as visible ethnic minority members. e) The number of police officers recruited that are women. f) The number of officers recruited that are transfers from other forces, including officers re-joining the MPS and people re-joining the police service having previously left. g) The number of police officers leaving the MPS. h) The number of those leaving who are ordinary retirements. i) The number of those leaving that are medical retirements. j) The number of those leaving that are transfers to other forces. k) The number of those leaving that are resignations. l) The number of those leaving who are dismissals or who are required to resign. m) The number of those leaving the police service for other reasons.
See Appendix E 155/ 2002 - Guide Dogs in Mini-cabs Brian Coleman
Will the Mayor voice his support for Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard’s Bill, to make it illegal for mini-cab drivers to refuse to take guide dogs in their vehicles?
I am fully supportive of the view that those with assistance dogs should not be disadvantaged in their use of minicabs. However, I recognise that private hire vehicles differ from London taxis (which are required under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to carry assistance dogs). Taxis have a partition between the driver and passengers and there is generally more floorspace available to accommodate dogs without the need for them to sit on the seats, as they might have to do in private hire vehicles.
It is for these reasons that it is my intention, as part of the licensing of the private hire trade in London and subject to a final round of public consultation, to place a requirement:
• on private hire operators to accept and make provision for the carriage of passengers with disabilities and assistance dogs (if necessary by sub-contracting the journey); and • for private hire drivers to undertake any booking accepted by their operator.
This will, I believe, achieve the same ends as Neil Gerrard’s Bill in ensuring that the needs of those with assistance dogs are met, whilst recognising that some vehicles may not be suitable for carrying dogs and some drivers may not be able to do so for medical reasons.
156 / 2002 - Role of Politicians Eric Ollerenshaw
Does the Mayor believe Politicians should lead by example?
Yes 157 / 2002 - TfL Roadworks Eric Ollerenshaw
Can the Mayor confirm that he will keep TFL roadworks to a minimum in the build up toCongestion Charging so that London's traffic can continue to move as freely as possible up to that date?
TfL endeavours to co-ordinate both its own and utilities roadworks so as to minimise disruption to traffic operations in London. It is, however, important that necessary maintenance works for London’s strategic road network are completed so far as is practical and affordable prior to the introduction of the Congestion Charging Scheme, so as to minimise the potential for network disruption at that time.
158 / 2002 - Mayoral Candidates Eric Ollerenshaw
Does the Mayor believe Richard Branson would make a good Labour Mayoral candidate in the next elections?
Not as good as me.
159 / 2002 - Staff Selection Eric Ollerenshaw
Does the Mayor believe that all staff should undergo a fair selection process?
Yes, generally employment law, equal opportunity policies and good human resources practice dictate that a fair recruitment and selection process should always apply. However if the question is about whether every job vacancy should always be advertised to ensure fairness that is not a blanket policy I can support. There are times, for example in reorganisations or if there is a risk of redundancy where it is proper to protect the interests of existing staff by considering them first for suitable jobs that arise. The important principle for me is to always appoint on merit ie ensuring that who ever is selected has the proper qualifications to do the job and that their suitability has been genuinely assessed. 160 / 2002 - Bus Vandalism in Bexley Bob Neill
Is the Mayor aware that Bexley has been described as having one of the highest levels of bus vandalism? What does he propose to do to counter this?
Yes I am aware that this is a major problem in the area. For example, at one local bus garage, only 4 buses are unaffected by etching or graffiti (out of around 150). Measures and initiatives to combat this include:
• More routes with CCTV systems: some buses in the area already have CCTV. Number of new vehicles will be entering service over the coming year, substantially increasing CCTV coverage on local routes, and I have committed London Buses to have all buses fitted with CCTV in London.
• Better liaison and raising awareness: including presentations from bus companies and police liaison officers in schools; and by bus companies to senior borough police officers, local councillors and magistrates.
• Good liaison to identify unknown suspects: with support and co-operation from local schools, media and police, one operator (London Central) has instigated a successful campaign to identify culprits through local newspapers. Arrests have been made in school and word is spreading amongst local children that the chance of getting caught is increasing.
• Higher profile: the Local Authority has designated the act of graffiti or vandalism a "prevalent" crime, such that culprits are no longer given a formal reprimand in the first instance. They are given a final caution by the police, or if they have already committed an offence, are taken to court.
• Stiffer penalties: local Magistrates are now awarding stiffer penalties and in the majority of cases damages are awarded to the bus operator in the region of £50 to £175.
• The Transport Policing Initiative will substantially raise police and warden presence on the initial corridors, and I am keen to extend it to other areas. The TPI will enable resources to be dedicated to investigating vandalism issues, and will also respond to urgent requests for assistance on any route in circumstances where it is known that local borough policing resources would be unable to meet their operational requirements. I am please to be able to give an example of the impact these measures have had. On route 229, comparing September last year with January this year, there has been a 35% drop in the number of cases brought against culprits due to reduced activity.
161 / 2002 - City Hall
Is the Mayor still confident that City Hall will be fit for purpose?
Bob Neill
Yes it is fit for purpose, but some slight modifications will be required to suit the GLA's style of working. We have advice that the space planning for our numbers - about 565 staff and members will be manageable. GOL are having to make some adjustments as you know to the chamber layout, the London’s Living Room and making enhancements to systems to meet our staffing levels. The building is on time and our internal planning is on target. I believe that the building will be a successful home for the GLA.
162 / 2002 - Lotts Road Development Angie Bray
Will the Mayor please explain his view on the Lotts Road and Chelsea Harbor Phase 2 development.
I last considered proposals for Lots Road Power Station in May 2001, when I reviewed pre-application proposals by the developer, Taylor Woodrow. I broadly welcomed the proposals, without prejudice to my consideration of any future planning application. I informed the developer that I welcomed the retention of the existing power station, and the commitment to a high quality of urban design and pedestrian permeability. The proposal to build two slim and elegant landmark residential towers complimented both the power station and the riverside setting. I welcomed the provision of affordable housing, but advised that the proportion should be nearer to 50% than the 32% on offer. I commended the efforts to address ecological concerns. I said that car parking on the site should be kept to a minimum and cycle parking maximised to compliment the proposed public transport improvements.
I notified Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham Councils of my comments.
I have not yet responded to consultation on the formal planning application, having only been consulted by Hammersmith & Fulham Council on 12 March this year.
163 / 2002 - Uxbridge Road Tram Angie Bray
Is the Mayor in favour of a tram going down the Uxbridge Road?
I am in favour of TfL’s plans to continue improving public transport along the Uxbridge Road. Route 207 has been upgraded with modern accessible buses and a frequency increase is proposed for later this spring. TfL and 207’s operator are currently testing articulated buses, with great success I understand. The route is in the London Bus Initiative and there are plans for improved and enforced bus lanes and other priorities, in partnership with the Boroughs. Responses to consultation on the West London Transit proposal to introduce some form of light transit system. It has yet to be decided the precise form this will take, but tram is certainly one possibility. I look forward to being able to announce our preferred option in the very near future. 164 / 2002 - Uxbridge Road Tram Angie Bray
Will the Mayor please turn the following phrase: "The public transport priority measures would result in private car users experiencing a net increase in travel times of between 2.9 and 3.2 million vehicle hours per annum" (concerning the proposed Uxbridge Tram) into statistics the average motorist in my constituency would understand?
It is difficult to be precise to represent this statistic in terms of an individual motorist’s experience. Using factors commonly accepted by transport planners the average delay per vehicle works out at between 7 and 8 seconds. I have to say this is the average across all vehicles many of which will be unaffected by the scheme. Many other local people would benefit from the better public transport that a tram could provide.
165 / 2002 - Monorail Angie Bray
Will you provide me with a copy of the assessment of the MonoMetro in accordance with the European Commission directive on the sharing of knowledge and pooling of expert resources?
To date the promoters of Monorail have not been able to provide working drawings, performance data or a cost estimate for their system. TfL officers have spent a significant amount of time in face-to-face discussion with the inventor. They have concluded that this scheme offers very little and suffers from the same inherent technical problems that have halted the development of other monorail schemes. Significantly, Monometro has failed to demonstrate that they have the technical expertise to overcome these problems. Nor, as yet, have they offered any sound cost and performance data.
TfL is always interested and open to new and inventive ideas. TfL Officers attempt to assist inventors by asking constructive questions. It is then up to the inventor to provide answers. This process has been followed in this case.
166 / 2002 - TfL Consultation Angie Bray Will the Mayor please share with me the guidelines which TfL officials consult prior to carrying out a public consultation on the routing of a bus. Developing the bus network is a significant part of my strategy for transport in London. New routes and extensions help improve people’s access to services and provide new links. TfL consults with local authorities and the police about service changes, to ensure that the routes meet local needs and can be operated safely. The proposals are then presented to stakeholders, including a letter drop to affected residents, seeking their views.
The current guidelines are attached (See Appendix F).
167 / 2002 - Street Crime Angie Bray Please detail the number of street crimes reported each year in the a) Westminster b) Kensington and Chelsea c) Hammersmith and Fulham borough command and its predecessor components for each year since 1998.
See Appendix G
168 / 2002 - Street Crime Angie Bray
Please detail the number of street crimes reported within the Metropolitan Police area for each year since 1998.
See Appendix H
169 / 2002 - Planning Green Paper Tony Arbour How do the Mayor's comments on the planning green paper contribute to increasing public participation in the planning system?
I support the Green Paper proposals to develop more meaningful ways of ensuring community engagement; and the emphasis on developers and local authorities seeking active community involvement. I will be developing this further in my draft London Plan.
The comments I have sent to Lord Falconer on the Green Paper include: - • highlighting that there may be a potential mismatch between the desire for greater community involvement and speeding up decision-making; • expressing the need to balance speeding up the system with ensuring quality decisions; • maintaining that an accountable, open, transparent and democratic process of consultation and decision-making is needed, in particular in the planning role of the new style regional chambers; providing a properly-resourced planning system without which speed, quality and public engagement cannot be assured. 170 / 2002 - Planning Green Paper Tony Arbour Oral answer The Mayor, in his comments, has not made mention of third party rights of appeal, while calling for greater democracy, openness and accountability in the planning system. Can the Mayor comment on this?
171 / 2002 - Planning in London Tony Arbour
Does the Mayor think that the question of openness and democratic accountability is sufficiently addressed within the planning system in London?
Yes that is certainly true at a strategic level. I have put in place arrangements for dealing with strategic planning applications, including a Planning Code of Conduct.
With regard to openness, my planning decisions are set out in full on the web, together with the officer’s report, which sets out any representations made by Assembly constituency members. Once made, the Assembly’s Planning Committee may scrutinise my decisions.
To give further assurance of probity, I have invited the Assembly to nominate an independent member of the Standard Committee to attend working meetings I hold with my officers about planning applications.
As for democratic accountability, the Mayoral system gives Londoners the chance to be clear about who is making planning decisions and hold me to account for my decisions in 2004.
At a borough level, the council elections ensure democratic accountability, although due to the Committee structure, the decision-taking process is less clear. Although members of the public can attend and sometimes speak at Committee meetings, that does not necessarily guarantee that they know how - or when - decisions are actually taken.
172 / 2002 - Patterson Park Jenny Jones What new information did you receive that led you to reverse your previous decision on Patterson Park? Where are the two pieces of land which you feel are compensation for the loss of green space of Patterson Park?
In addition to increasing the amount of open space that would remain available on the Paterson Park site, Southwark Council has identified two other pieces of land to be developed as public open space.
One site is some 100 metres to the south of Paterson Park, next to a riding stables. It has an area of 0.35 hectares. The other site is approximately 400 metres to the north of Paterson Park, on the corner of St James’s Road and Alexis Street. It has an area of 0.25 hectares.
Neither site presently functions as public open space. The northern site is an undesignated piece of open land currently used as a kickabout area for residents of the Rouel Road estate. It carries no statutory protection as open space. Its development and protection as public open space in connection with planned improvements to the adjoining Macks Road open space will provide a linked public open space area offering a greater contribution in open space terms, including provision of play facilities, compared to the existing situation.
The three areas now offered as public open space equate to approximately 1 hectare, whereas the application as submitted originally included only 0.14 hectares of public open space. This approach follows the advice I gave to Southwark and the City in my initial comments on the application, where I suggested they investigate an alternative site or compensate for the loss of publicly accessible open green space.
In addition to the compensatory public open space that is to be provided, there will also be approximately 1,100 square metres (1.1 hectares) of open space (a combination of park area and hardsurfaced sports pitch/tennis court areas) within the school's boundaries that will be available for community use
I accept that the proposal still results in a net loss of public open space for the area. However, I am satisfied there is an exceptional case for development and that the compensatory areas of public open space will be developed and maintained to a higher quality than much of Paterson Park as existing. To ensure this happens I have asked Southwark Council and the Corporation of London to undertake legal commitments to produce feasibility studies and outline proposals for the new open spaces by June 2002, and to fund the ongoing maintenance of all three areas.
The additional measures I have insisted upon will ensure that the new open spaces will be of the highest quality. Coupled with the community facilities provided by the school, I believe there will bring real benefits to the local community resulting from the amended proposals.
173 / 2002 - Records and Data Collected by the Congestion Charge Jenny Jones
What are the current plans for police access to and disposal of, the camera records and data collected by the congestion charge network? How long will the information be held on legitimate drivers who have paid the charge?
I am committed to fighting crime in London and will work with the police wherever possible. However, the camera system for congestion charging is the responsibility of TfL, not the police and it is not designed to follow individual vehicles through their journey. Images will not be kept on legitimate drivers who have paid for a licence, beyond the image matching the Vehicle Registration Marks with the licence store, which will occur within 24 hours.
It is currently proposed that data collected on drivers who do not have a licence will be destroyed 60 days after the end of enforcement action. However this is currently under review, with the objective of minimising fraud and evasion of penalty charge payment.
Police access to the data will be in compliance with the Data Protection Act. A Code of Practice is being developed. 174 / 2002 - Congestion Charge Evaders Jenny Jones Oral answer What plans have you to prosecute and deal with congestion charge evaders who pass through the zone but do not stop in the area?
175 / 2002 - Prosecution of Foreign Registered Vehicles Jenny Jones
What progress has been made on prosecuting foreign registered vehicles who commit minor traffic offences in London, including those who evade paying parking fines and the congestion charge?
Bus Lane Enforcement by TfL New software currently being installed will enable foreign number plates to be captured by Bus Lane camera operators. TfL are in the process entering an agreement on a trial basis with a collection agent, which specialises in collecting debt from EU nationals. This will enable the service of documents on registered keepers in their country requiring payment of outstanding Penalties.
Parking Enforcement Similar arrangements can apply but are reliant on individual Boroughs making arrangements. I understand only one or two Boroughs are using a collection agency at present but the collection rate is around 50% of Penalties issued. Boroughs with clamping and removal capabilities can target foreign-registered vehicles parked illegally.
Congestion Charging The number plates of foreign registered vehicles that enter the Congestion Charge Zone during a charging period will be identified by the Congestion Charge camera network in the same manner as UK registered vehicles. The owners of those foreign vehicles that have not purchased the appropriate licence fee will be issued a Penalty Charge of £80 (discounted to £40 if paid within 14 days) via a Debt Collection service for the European Union currently under procurement and due to be awarded in July 2002.
In addition, repeat offender (those foreign vehicles with over 3 unpaid Penalty Charge Notices) will be passed to the Congestion Charge On Street Enforcement Service and will be targeted for enforcement action which could result in the vehicle being clamped and/or removed.
General
At present it is believed that no legislation or legal recourse exists for further debt recovery action to be taken in the event that the driver of the foreign registered vehicle refuses to pay the penalty, although this is currently under investigation by TfL’s legal advisors. 176 / 2002 - Commander Paddick Darren Johnson
Will the Mayor give his support to Commander Paddick? I already have expressed my public support for Commander Brian Paddick in an open letter to the Evening Standard and during television interviews.
Whilst I acknowledge that serious allegations against police officers must be investigated, I believe that this is nothing more than a homophobic witch-hunt. I applaud Commander Paddick’s progressive response to the drug crisis in Lambeth, which is achieving significant results. His imaginative and innovative approach to communicating with the public has undoubtedly won the support of Lambeth residents.
Brian Paddick is an asset to the Metropolitan Police Service and London needs more officers like him.
177 / 2002 - Lee Valley Park Jennette Arnold
What are the Mayor and the LDA doing to help the Lee Valley Park to promote itself as a regional resource for all of Greater London, and to gain the funding, recognition and support that would be associated with such status?
The Lee Valley Park is an important lung for London. The LDA is not dealing with any specific project at this time, but is working on projects adjacent to the park. The important developments at Stratford will impinge on the Lee Valley Park and through his strategic planning powers, the Mayor will ensure that the park is enhanced wherever possible. There are no plans for the Mayor or LDA to rake on a role in promoting the park nor have there been any discussions with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) to do so. 178/ 2002 - Property Developers Jennette Arnold
How and to what extent will London's property developers be guided through the London Plan and other statutory instruments, as part of the Mayor's work in implementing the principles in the environmental strategies?
The London Plan will take forward the principles of the environmental strategies and address the spatial implications of all the strategies.
Once published the London Plan will form the basis for my decisions on planning applications referred from the boroughs as well as my assessment of boroughs’ UDPs. As part of their work my officers meet with developers to discuss proposals for development and the policies in the emerging London Plan and environmental strategies guide these discussions. The London Plan will reflect environmental policies such as those to ensure more efficient use of energy, including renewable technologies and those to protect and enhance biodiversity habitats.
I propose to publish supplementary guidance on some issues to provide greater detail than can be included in the London Plan itself. Work has already started to develop detailed policies for sustainable design and construction. This will be a key to achieving many of the principles of my environmental strategies, including energy efficiency and the conservation of raw materials. Once published these documents will be readily available to property developers via the internet and other means.
179 / 2002 - St Patrick's Day Toby Harris
What are the Mayor’s Plans for St Patrick’s Day next year?
To find a venue which can accommodate even more people than this year and to promote London’s St Patrick’s Day celebration as a significant addition to the calendar of events which makes London such an attractive city for tourists and visitors.
180 / 2002 - Celebration of Major Festivals Toby Harris
What steps is the Mayor taking to celebrate other major festivals?
Apart from this month’s very successful St Patrick’s Day, we organised a Diwali festival celebration on Trafalgar Square in November and facilitated the expansion of the existing Chinese New Year celebrations to include staged entertainment on Trafalgar Square in February. Similar support to these festivals is planned for next year.
We are also supporting the future success of the Notting Hill Carnival which promotes Caribbean culture.
The GLA will be participating in a number of ways in the celebrations of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
I am also actively looking at how we can support, extend or promote the celebration of other festivals important to different communities within London in the course of the coming year.
181 / 2002 - Action Against Enviro-crime Samantha Heath Oral answer What initiatives is the Mayor working on with the ALG and the boroughs to support action against enviro-crime?
182 / 2002 - London Schools and the Black Child Trevor Phillips Will the Mayor commit to funding a follow up Conference to the March 16 London Schools and the Black Child in 2002/3?
I am sure that all Assembly Members who were able to attend the conference will agree that it was a resounding success. We estimate that around 2000 people attended throughout the day and the feedback we have received so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Diane Abbott played a leading role in organising the conference and I intend to liaise with her about the form and timing of the next one.
The conference report will be available in June 2002 and will be a key document for informing the work of the Education Commission, to be established by the LDA later this year, and for raising the issues with Government.
183 / 2002-Education Commission Trevor Phillips
What are his current plans for the establishment and membership of the proposed Education Commission?
As I stated in my Economic Development Strategy, the London Development Agency is working with me to establish an Education Commission.
The purpose of the Commission is to bring together key partners, including schools, education authorities and business representatives to identify practical steps towards improving levels of achievement and standards in London’s schools and equip future generations with the skills they need to contribute to and share in the region’s economic success.
In particular, the Commission’s role will include improving education-business links, ensuring effective co-ordination between initiatives and available funding and tackling the inequalities which exist within education among different ethnic groups.
The London Development Agency will be consulting with key partners to finalise the membership and terms of reference of the Commission over the coming months.
184 / 2002 - London Muslim Coalition Trevor Phillips
Is he aware of the Assembly's involvement in the establishment of the London Muslim Coalition, and that Coalition Members met Len Duvall and Trevor Phillips to discuss health and regeneration issues on Monday 18th March?
My Cabinet Adviser, Kumar Murshid established the London Muslim Coalition (LMC), soon after 11 September to ensure closer dialogue between myself and London’s Muslim community.
Since its formation, Kumar has chaired several of the Coalition’s meetings, which are held at Romney House, These meetings have been attended by members of my office, including Atma Singh and Lee Jasper. In terms of the Assembly’s involvement, a number of Assembly members have been represented by their assistants at the Coalition’s meetings. Suzie Black, in particular, has played a very supportive role.
I am fully aware that health promotion and regeneration are key priorities for London’s Muslim communities. These issues were raised at the meeting of the LMC on 17th February, which was effectively a brainstorming session, and was facilitated by GLA officers.
I am very pleased that representatives of the LMC met with my colleagues on the Assembly, as many of their constituents are from the Muslim community. I understand that they had a fruitful discussion about health and regeneration matters. I have agreed to co-operate closely on a number of approaches, which include the London Health Commission, the NHS and the LDA.
My officers are supporting Kumar in ensuring better awareness and understanding of the GLA and its priorities amongst the LMC through a series of presentations.
I am pleased to endorse and support the work of the LMC and I hope that all Assembly members do the same.
185 / 2002 - Draft Cultural Strategy Trevor Phillips When does he anticipate the release of the Draft Cultural Strategy for scrutiny by the Assembly?
As already stated in the previous question by Mike Tuffrey, I am hoping to sign off the draft before the summer break and would anticipate Assembly receiving the document for scrutiny in mid September.
186 / 2002 - Ice Rink at Streatham Valerie Shawcross
How important do you think the ice rink at Streatham is, and do you think it is essential that it survives and flourishes?
I have recently given my in-principle support to Lambeth Council’s vision for the redevelopment of Streatham Hub, which comprises the 12 acres of land around Streatham Station, including the existing ice rink. The proposals in the development vision include the provision of a new regional sized ice rink with up to 2,000 spectator seats, as well as other leisure, housing, retail and community uses. I particularly welcomed the emphasis given to a sports and leisure-led redevelopment, which builds upon Streatham’s historic association with these activities. A new ice rink and related leisure centre of the scale proposed would not only be an essential part of the mixed- use proposals to regenerate Streatham, but would also provide London with its only regional ice rink facility.
187 / 2002 - Overground Stations in South London Valerie Shawcross What are your aspirations for overground stations in South London? Is work progressing on a Metro style service?
The Rail network should provide strong and reliable linkages inside London – particularly in South London which has little Underground service – and between London and its surrounding counties and further afield, providing the widest access to the facilities and benefits of the Capital. Through TfL, I shall seek to achieve this in partnership with the Strategic Rail Authority.
Subject to franchise renewal plans I am hoping to see progress on improved services and standards for stations in South London commencing next year. Transport for London and the SRA have been working in conjunction with train operators to set out a programme for implementation of the South London Metro. This programme includes definition of a set of baseline standards for Metro stations which will include basic condition, installation of help points, CCTV and information systems. Four pilot routes have been identified and the intention is to launch the Metro concept on these routes in 2003.