31st Mayor’s Report to the Assembly MQT – 21 May 2015

This is my thirtieth report to the Assembly, fulfilling my duty under Section 45 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. It covers the period 12 March until 7 May 2015.

Executive Summary

Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation Established

On 1 April, I officially launched the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). The Corporation will lead the regeneration of Old Oak Common in west London and will seek to deliver up to 24,000 homes and more than 55,000 jobs.

A High Speed 2 and Crossrail Station is also due to be constructed at Old Oak Common by 2026. The new station will be the size of Waterloo, handling 250,000 passengers a day and acting as a super hub between London and the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.

Confirmation of World’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone

On 26 March, I confirmed the introduction of the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), I also welcomed an increased fund of £65 million to help support London taxi drivers’ transition to zero emission capable taxis.

Following a positive consultation process, the ULEZ will launch in central London on 7 September 2020, significantly improving air quality and helping to protect the health of Londoners. It will require vehicles travelling in the Congestion Charge Zone of central London to meet new emission standards 24 hours a day, seven days a week or, pay a daily charge.

An extra £25 million from Government will be used to provide grants to help taxi drivers cover the cost of upgrading to a greener vehicle. This is in addition to the £40 million I have already committed to assist taxi drivers whose vehicles would be affected by tighter age limits to retire the oldest, most polluting taxis.

Delivery of 85,000th affordable home and two announcement of two new Housing Zones

On 16 March, I announced that I have now delivered the 85,000th property funded by my affordable housing programme and I also revealed new £50 million funding for two additional Housing Zones in Waltham Forest and Wembley that are set to create thousands of new homes and new jobs.

Big Green Fund 2

I have announced that seven green spaces across the capital are to be transformed with funding after thousands of Londoners backed them in the Big Green Poll. Due to the popularity of all seven schemes, I have decided that each should get a share of the £900,000 fund. The confirmed projects are:

 Firs Farm Wetlands in Enfield  Riding the Roding in the borough of Redbridge  The Stanmore Marsh Restoration scheme in Harrow  Thamesmead Thames Path Transformation in Greenwich  The Wetlands to Wetlands Greenway in Hackney  Access to Wandle Park in Croydon

Roger Evans AM appointed as my new Statutory Deputy Mayor

On 25 March, I was delighted to announce the appointment of Roger Evans AM as London’s new Statutory Deputy Mayor, following the decision of Victoria Borwick AM to step down from the role. Roger will take up his new role when his term as Chairman of the London Assembly expires on 13 May 2015.

Traceable Liquids

On 20 March, I announced the world’s largest roll-out of ‘traceable liquid’ to reduce burglary rates across London. The new ‘Met Trace’ programme will provide 440,000 homes in burglary hotspots across the capital with a free kit containing an invisible traceable liquid, allowing owners to mark their possessions with a unique forensic code.

Policing, Crime and Community Safety

MPS hits my target to reduce neighbourhood crime and confidence in police performance grows

On 23 March, I hailed the hard work of the MPS and urged them to keep up the pressure on London’s criminals as new data showed that they have hit my target of reducing seven key neighbourhood crimes by 20 percent, a year ahead of schedule.

The news comes on the same day as results of an annual survey, commissioned by MOPAC reveals that almost two-thirds (64 percent) of the Londoners questioned feel that policing has improved or remained the same since 2010, with 37 percent of BME respondents feeling it had ‘improved considerably or slightly’.

In 2013, I set the MPS the challenge to reduce seven key neighbourhood crimes by 20 per cent by 2016. Data shows that they have in fact cut these crimes by 19.8 per cent overall since 2012, with over 80,000 fewer crimes committed on the capital’s streets as a result. They are now on track to exceed my target over the next year.

Of the seven key neighbourhood crimes, robbery from a person and burglary have seen the biggest fall, down 23 percent and 44 percent respectively, with burglary at its lowest level since 1979.

Passing Out Parade

On 13 March, I had the pleasure of attending the MPS passing out parade at the Hendon Peel Centre, marking the completion of the training of more than 200 recruits to become fully warranted police officers.

This marked a significant recruitment milestone, with officer numbers reaching a three year high, with more women and BME candidates joining the force than ever before. Since 2008, the proportion of BME officers in the MPS has risen from 8 to 12 per cent of all officers, and more than one in four officers are now female, compared to one in five in 2008.

Hendon Peel Centre Topping Out

On 13 March, my Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, attended the topping out ceremony at the Hendon Peel Centre. This ceremony celebrated a milestone in the building of a new world class training and operational facility for the MPS. The funding of this new building has been met through the release of surplus land.

Traceable Liquids

On 20 March, I announced the world’s largest roll-out of ‘traceable liquid’ to reduce burglary rates across London. The new ‘Met Trace’ programme will provide 440,000 homes in burglary hotspots across the capital with a free kit containing an invisible traceable liquid, allowing owners to mark their possessions with a unique forensic code.

This technology has a significant deterrent effect and it is predicted that the roll-out could prevent over 7,000 residential burglary offences.

Transport

Confirmation of World’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone

On 26 March, I joined the Prime Minister at the London Taxi Company factory in Coventry to confirm the introduction of the world’s first ULEZ, I also welcomed an increased fund of £65 million to help support London taxi drivers’ transition to zero emission capable taxis.

Following a positive consultation process, the ULEZ will launch in central London on 7 September 2020, significantly improving air quality and helping to protect the health of Londoners. It will require vehicles travelling in the Congestion Charge Zone of central London to meet new emission standards 24 hours a day, seven days a week or, pay a daily charge.

An extra £25 million from Government will be used to provide grants to help taxi drivers cover the cost of upgrading to a greener vehicle. This is in addition to the £40 million I have already committed to assist taxi drivers whose vehicles would be affected by tighter age limits to retire the oldest, most polluting taxis.

I have reiterated my commitment that from January 2018 all new taxis and all private hire vehicles under eighteen months old presented for licensing in the capital for the first time should be zero emission capable.

Also part of my announcement is the £20 million Taxi scheme announced by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles in April 2014. Local authorities, including London, can now bid for additional funding to help support the adoption of ultra low emission taxis and mini-cabs. This is in addition to £10 million provided in the National Infrastructure Plan to support a new rapid charging network in London for electric vehicles, including taxis.

By 2020, in addition to the ULEZ, TfL is committed to ensuring all 300 single decker buses operating in central London are zero emission (e.g. electric) and, all 3,000 double deck buses will be hybrid, including 800 of the New Routemaster.

In light of the new funds announced, I have asked TfL to undertake further engagement with the taxi and private hire trade before finalising my plans to change the licensing requirements for these vehicles. The final package of measures is expected to be confirmed in the summer.

The announcement follows careful consideration of over 16,000 responses received during the ULEZ consultation from the public, businesses and stakeholders. Seventy nine per cent of respondents said it was ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to tackle poor air quality in London and 58 per cent said they ‘support’ or ‘strongly support’ the introduction of the ULEZ.

TfL and I have intentionally confirmed the emission standards over five years in advance of the introduction of the ULEZ in September 2020 to give sufficient warning and preparation time to affected drivers, as well as to accelerate the take up of low emission vehicles and stimulate the low emission vehicle market. Residents living in the ULEZ and vehicles adapted for disabled people will have a three year ‘sunset period’, meaning that they do not need to comply with the emissions standards until September 2023. I also confirmed that vehicles in the 40 year rolling vehicle tax exemption for classic vehicles will be exempt from the ULEZ standards.

Major step forward for Crossrail 2

I welcomed the news that the Department for Transport had confirmed the agreement for the safeguarding for Crossrail 2.

The decision, which protects the route of the proposed new line, followed a public consultation which set out the route that would be needed for the construction of Crossrail 2 and protects it from potential redevelopment plans that could affect it being built. Throughout the consultation, TfL has been listening to both resident and stakeholder concerns and will seek to amend the proposals as appropriate.

Crossrail 2 would play a vital role in supporting London’s growth by adding 10 per cent more rail capacity. My 2050 Infrastructure Plan identified the need for 60 per cent more public transport capacity to support growth across London.

£4 billion road modernisation programme gets underway

TfL have announced plans for a 'Games-style' approach to keeping London’s traffic flowing as a far-reaching £4 billion programme to improve London’s roads gets underway.

This programme, which forms part of a wider effort to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured by 2020, aims to radically improve the efficiency, safety and reliability of the road network. It will deliver world class urban realm, cycling and pedestrian facilities and support new jobs and homes at locations such as Elephant and Castle and Vauxhall gyratory. Congestion will be tackled by improving the network performance at key locations and repairs will be made to ensure London’s roads are fit for purpose.

The Road Modernisation Plan includes hundreds of transformational projects to improve life in the capital, through the creation of new cycle routes, upgraded traffic signals, crossings, pavements and highways, and build re-designed safer junctions at Stockwell, Oval, Archway, Vauxhall Bridge and other key locations.

In addition, with 90 per cent of goods moved around London by road, TfL’s existing programme of tailored advice to freight operators, businesses, business groups, industry bodies, boroughs and others is being stepped up. Re-timing deliveries to occur outside the peak times of 07:00-13:00 or routing them away from the busiest locations will ensure these vital deliveries can still be made and consolidating deliveries into single trips can also save businesses money and time. TfL brought together these groups and businesses at a special event in April to co-ordinate and drive forward this vital work.

TfL outlines new sites where 20mph speed limits could be introduced on key roads in central London

Plans have been set out for eight new pilots of 20mph speed limits on the TfL road network (TLRN) as part of continuing work to reduce road casualties, increase active travel and enhance the areas where people live, work and shop.

The first confirmed pilot location is Commercial Street in Tower Hamlets, which went live on 13 April when all borough roads in Tower Hamlets were made 20mph. TfL is also working on a possible extension of the route over the wider ‘Shoreditch Triangle’ and sections of the A10, in line with Hackney’s 20mph borough wide aspirations. The remaining seven pilots could then be introduced throughout 2015 and 2016 on a rolling basis and in line with borough wide introductions where possible.

TfL will now work closely with the relevant boroughs to investigate the potential for 20mph speed limit pilots at the following locations:

1. Upper Street and Holloway Road (between Pentonville Road and Seven Sisters Road); 2. Westminster Bridge, Stamford Street and Southwark St (between Victoria Embankment and Borough High Street – incorporating the previous 20mph trial at Waterloo Roundabout); 3. Brixton Town Centre (between St Matthews Road and Stockwell Park Walk); 4. Clapham High Street (between Clapham Park Road and Bedford Road, which forms part of Cycle Superhighway 7); 5. Earls Court Road and Redcliffe Gardens (between A4 Cromwell Road and Fulham Road); 6. Kings Cross Road and Farringdon Road (between Pentonville Road and Charterhouse Road, linking the previous 20mph trial along Farringdon St and Blackfriars Bridge); and 7. Camden Street (between Camden Road and Crowndale Road).

The speed limits would be introduced under an 18 month experimental order and will be subject to detailed monitoring.

Consultation shows strong support for revamped Vauxhall

Proposals for a major overhaul of Vauxhall Cross have been given strong support by local residents and commuters as 77 per cent of respondents declared their support for TfL and Lambeth Council’s plans to return the gyratory to two-way working.

The consultation results showed that almost two thirds (63 per cent) of people who responded supported the plans to redesign the existing bus station at Vauxhall. More than 42,000 bus passengers use Vauxhall bus station every day and the proposed plans would ensure that the current interchange between buses and the rail and Tube station is protected and enhanced, helping to accommodate the projected rise in passengers using the interchange.

The Vauxhall Cross gyratory proposals, which are part of the £4 billion Road Modernisation Plan, involve removing the gyratory and returning local streets to two-way working, improving the area for all road users. They also involve making improvements to the rail, bus and Tube interchange for public transport users and creating a safer environment for the growing number of pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

TfL and Lambeth Council are committed to engaging with key stakeholders throughout the next stage of design to ensure that they have the opportunity to help shape the plans, which will form part of the second public consultation at the end of 2015. Detailed information about the two-way operation of the road network, surrounding public realm, and the enhanced bus station, will be included in this consultation, and subject to the outcome, work could begin in 2018.

TfL named fastest growing contactless merchant in Europe

TfL has been named the fastest growing contactless Visa merchant in Europe, and in the UK for Mastercard and American Express, just six months after the service was introduced on London Underground, tram, DLR, London Overground, buses and most National Rail services.

On 13 March, TfL announced that the number of contactless taps made on a single day had reached one million. Over 14 per cent of all pay as you go journeys across TfL services are now made using contactless, with over 60 million journeys made in the last six months.

Customers using contactless pay the same adult-rate pay as you go fare as Oyster and benefit from having their fares capped; this automatically calculates the best value for their contactless travel in a day or over a 7-day period from Monday to Sunday. Contactless is a quick and easy way to get around on transport services in London, removing the need for customers to top up, and is a secure means of paying for travel with multiple layers of security protecting against fraud.

London Underground bears down on costs while radically improving services

A recent London Underground report shows how the last five years of modernisation and improvement on the Underground has seen customer satisfaction, capacity and number of journeys rising to record levels.

Thanks to increased efficiencies and soaring passenger numbers, LU has been able to increase its investments into improvements for the future, reduced its operating cost per passenger km, driving down the unit costs for maintenance, and investing in improving the network as London’s population continues to rise.

With London's population set to rise to 10m by 2030, LU has been working hard to prepare the network to cater for the extra demand. Three lines have already been completely modernised over the past decade. New air-conditioned trains are now serving the Metropolitan, District, Hammersmith & City and Circle lines, which will also see the installation of a new signalling system and the radical modernisation of the Central, Piccadilly, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City Lines is set to be delivered in the 2020s.

The introduction of more modern trains and infrastructure, and innovative procurement have lowered the cost of transporting each passenger by nearly a fifth.

Thanks to the modernisation of the network, journeys are now quicker, with an average reduction of two minutes, and delays down by 43 per cent over the period. Crime has reduced by more than one third and is now at its lowest level ever.

Plans to improve next four lines as part of Tube’s modernisation

TfL and I have set out detailed plans to ensure the delivery of the modernisation of the next four tube lines. The next major phase of the Underground’s modernisation will see a new modern train control system introduced on the District, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines resulting in faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys for millions of passengers.

This new system is needed to allow more trains to run, more than double the number will run on the Circle line alone, to help support London’s growing population. The District, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines together make up nearly 40 per cent of the network and include the oldest part of the network built in 1863.

The investment also includes other improvements to get the most out of the new 191 trains already introduced on the on the Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines and now being seen across the District line, including new track, lengthened platforms and rebuilt train depots with advanced technology to ensure the highest levels of train reliability.

Businesses invited to lease historic Down Street disused Tube station

TfL has issued an invitation to businesses to submit innovative ideas to transform Down Street Tube station into a commercially viable business as part of its plans to generate £3.4 billion in non-fare revenue to reinvest in the transport network.

Down Street Tube station is located on a quiet residential street off Piccadilly. It originally opened on the Great Northern Piccadilly & Brompton Railway on 15 March 1907 and closed on 22 May 1932 due to low passenger usage.

TfL is offering a unique opportunity for established and enterprising businesses to develop the untapped potential of the disused station, which is located in the heart of one of the most exclusive postcodes in London.

Although closed to the public, Down Street is still in regular use as part of the day to day operation of the Tube. TfL will lease out part of the station, around 400m2, to businesses who have the ability to use the space to create something exceptional and establish the next chapter in the station's history.

Overwhelming support for a Bakerloo line extension

A consultation into plans to extend the Bakerloo line to help meet anticipated population growth in south London has revealed strong support among locals.

Over 15,000 responses to the consultation were received, with 96 per cent of respondents supporting the extension of the Bakerloo line, with the majority acknowledging it would improve connectivity and relieve congestion on the transport network.

The consultation proposed two alternative routes between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham. There was strong support for both options, a route via Camberwell and Peckham Rye or via the Old Kent Road.

As part of the consultation responses a number of alternative routes were also suggested, TfL will take the opportunity to review these further. This will include an assessment of costs and benefits of a number of different routes and a comparison against the original route options.

The cost of the extension is estimated at up to £3 billion. TfL is investigating a range of options with boroughs along the route for generating funding for the extension from new developments. It is estimated that once the relevant permissions are received and necessary funding secured, construction could commence by 2025 and be completed during the early 2030s.

London Underground given go ahead to deliver Croxley Rail Link

London Underground has announced it will assume the delivery of the Croxley Rail Link after an agreement was reached with the Department for Transport and Hertfordshire County Council over funding.

Construction work to re-route and extend the Metropolitan line to Watford Junction is planned to start later this year. The plan, which is part of a major investment designed to support the growth and regeneration of the area, includes creating new links to Watford General Hospital, Croxley Business Park and Cardiff Road Industrial Estate.

Two new stations will be created at Cassiobridge and Watford Vicarage Road, served by new walk-through air-conditioned trains every ten minutes to and from central London during peak hours. The existing Watford station will close following the opening of the new stations. The first trains are expected to run on the extended line by 2019.

I have directed TfL to take over responsibility for delivering the entire project, including civil engineering works, systems and the procurement of additional rolling stock. I have also directed TfL to provide £46.5 million of funding towards the costs for delivering Croxley Rail Link, based on a total cost of the project of £284.5 million, on the basis that the Government increases TfL’s overall borrowing requirement by £30 million and that £16 million will be funded from the TfL capital budget.

Finally, I have directed TfL to be responsible for any cost overruns above the current project estimate of £284.5 million.

Bus passengers in north London get a boost as route 382 is extended

Since 4 April, bus passengers in north London have been enjoying the benefits of an extended service on route 382.

The 382, which is operated by Arriva, originally ran between Southgate and Mill Hill East via Arnos Grove and Finchley Central, but now runs to the new residential development at Millbrook Park.

TfL has been working closely with Barnet Council in planning this enhancement, which supports local plans for expansion of homes to cater for growing population. The council

negotiated some funding from the developer to enable the service to start running early in the life of the new development.

Bus services in east London get an extra boost from 308 frequency increase

Since 11 April, local bus services in the east London area are benefitting from increased frequency on route 308.

As part of the package of bus improvements to serve the Olympic Park, the route was extended in January 2014 to run from Stratford to Clapton via East Village and Homerton Hospital, with frequencies increased at all times of day.

In response to feedback from passengers, the improved route has seen high demand for the service between 06:00 and 09:00. To meet this demand, TfL has introduced a package of changes which will deliver improved frequency service and increased capacity, with a bus every 12 minutes from the start of service on weekdays, with additional double-decker buses serving Forest Gate station between 07:00 and 09:00.

Night bus services in east London get an extra boost from N15 frequency increase

From Sunday 11 April, local night bus services in the east London area are seeing a further boost as TfL increased the frequency of the N15 to provide extra capacity on the route to meet increased passenger demand.

The route, which operates between Romford Market and Trafalgar Square (Northumberland Avenue) via Barking, East Ham, Canning Town, Limehouse, Aldgate, Tower Hill, Mansion House and Ludgate Circus, now sees its weekend night frequency increase from every 10 minutes to every seven to eight minutes and during weeknights, the service will be increased from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes.

Year of the Bus sculptures raise £100,000 for charity

To conclude TfL’s celebrations for the Year of the Bus, more than 50 bus sculptures were put to auction by TfL, raising £100,000 for three charities, Kids Company, Transaid and London Transport Museum.

I delegated authority to TfL the exercise of my under sections 30 and 34 of the GLA Act 1999 so that it may dispose of the bus sculptures by auction, with the net proceeds being applied for the benefit of charitable purposes.

TfL submits application to High Court for declaration on taximeters

In its role as regulator and licensee of the taxi and private hire trades in the capital in the interests of passengers, TfL has submitted an application to the High Court for a binding declaration on taximeters.

The decision was taken following confirmation that the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association had invited the Magistrates’ Court to withdraw their summonses for breach of the private hire taximeter prohibition.

The application to the High Court was served on Uber and the main trade bodies, the LTDA and the Licensed Private Hire Car Association, who will be entitled to make representations in response to the application.

TfL is seeking a High Court declaration on whether smart phones, which use GPS technology to measure the time and distance of a journey and then receive information about fares, comply with the current law on 'taximeters', which can only be used in London by taxis.

There is a need for clarity about what is required in order for apps to comply with the regulatory framework in London, to ensure there is a level playing field for all operators.

Launching final tunnelling push

On 27 March, I visited tunnel boring machine Victoria, 42 metres below ground at the new Liverpool Street Crossrail station.

Crossrail’s final tunnelling machines, Victoria and Elizabeth, have recently started the last two 750 metre tunnel drives between Liverpool Street and Farringdon. When they reach their destination and the big east-west breakthrough is complete, all 26 miles of Crossrail’s new train tunnels will have been created. Once tunnelling is finished, the eight machines will have excavated nearly six million tonnes of earth.

Green light for new station building at Hayes & Harlington

On 13 March, Hillingdon Council approved plans for a major overhaul of Hayes and Harlington Station as part of the Crossrail programme.

This will create a landmark station that will be much more visible and prominent than the existing station. A bright, spacious ticket hall will provide a more welcoming environment and a range of other improvements will be made to the station to enhance the passenger experience and improve safety and security.

From the end of 2017, the station will be run by TfL as part of London’s integrated transport network. Once Crossrail fully opens in 2019, the station will see up to ten services an hour in each direction, allowing passengers to travel right through central London without having to change trains, making the journey to Bond Street 15 minutes shorter and the journey to Canary Wharf 17 minutes shorter.

Crossrail has also been working with Hillingdon Council on proposals for improvements to the area around the station. The proposals would create a new public space in Station Approach by improving pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the station through better pedestrian crossings, continuous cycle lanes, tree planting, and safer junctions.

New ‘jigsaw’ station pieced together in a year and a day

On 25 March, Crossrail announced that the structure of the new station at Custom House in the Royal Docks had been completed.

Large sections of the station were manufactured in a state of the art Laing O’Rourke facility in Steetley near Sheffield, and then transported more than 130 miles to east London and assembled on site. The 825 station components were installed using a purpose-built 35 tonne gantry crane. The last section was installed a year and a day after the first piece went in.

This process of manufacturing simplified the process of building the station, saving time, reducing disruption, improving quality and making the process safer.

When it opens in 2018, Custom House Crossrail station will be run by TfL as part of London’s integrated transport network. At peak time, 12 trains an hour will make it quicker and easier to get to a range of destinations across London. With Crossrail, the journey from Custom House to Bond Street will take 17 minutes and passengers will be able to travel to and from Heathrow in 45 minutes.

Green light for major Crossrail improvements to West Drayton station

On 27 March, Crossrail announced that major improvements to West Drayton station as part of the Crossrail programme had been given the go ahead by Hillingdon Council.

A new glass and steel extension will provide an additional entrance, as well as a covered walkway between the existing building and a new footbridge. Three new lifts will provide step- free access to every platform. The station and platform improvements will be delivered by Network Rail and is expected to last around 18 months.

There will be a new entrance canopy stretching across the existing building and extension and the station will also see platform extensions, which are required to ensure the station can accommodate the new 200m long Crossrail trains.

From December 2017, the station will be run by TfL as part of London’s integrated transport network. In addition to the station improvements, Crossrail has been working with Hillingdon Council on proposals for improvements to the area around the station.

Once Crossrail fully opens in 2019, up to six services an hour will allow passengers from West Drayton to travel right through central London without having to change trains. The journey to Bond Street will take 23 minutes and passengers will be able to get to Canary Wharf in 37 minutes.

Stratford to Angel Road

In March, both the London Enterprise Panel and Investment and Performance Board endorsed additional Growing Places Fund (GPF) investment in the Stratford to Angel Road (STAR) scheme, taking the total GPF project funding to £30.7 million, meaning that it is now fully funded. This investment will support the delivery of a third rail line from Angel Road and Northumberland Park to Tottenham Hale and is an extension of the Network Rail funded project to deliver a third rail line from Stratford to Tottenham Hale.

The complete improvement works will contribute to the unlocking of major developments at Meridian Water and Northumberland Park, by delivering a 4 train per hour service from Stratford to Angel Road on the West Anglia Route.

Regeneration, Business, Enterprise and the Economy

Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation launched

On 1 April, I officially launched the OPDC. The Corporation will lead the regeneration of Old Oak Common in West London and will seek to deliver up to 24,000 homes and more than 55,000 jobs.

A High Speed 2 (HS2) and Crossrail Station is also due to be constructed at Old Oak Common by 2026. The new station will be the size of Waterloo, handling 250,000 passengers a day and acting as a super hub between London and the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.

The OPDC will work to maximise the regeneration potential of the new stations. The Corporation has the support of Government and full planning powers across the entire site straddling the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Brent and Ealing.

As well as promoting and delivering physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration at Old Oak Common, the Corporation will also safeguard and develop Park Royal as a strategic industrial location and attract long-term investment to the area, including from overseas.

The OPDC will take on various statutory powers relating to infrastructure, regeneration and land acquisitions. It will also charge a Community Infrastructure Levy (once it has in place the necessary charging schedule). I have nominated my Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Planning, Sir Edward Lister, as Chair of the OPDC.

European funding confirmed to support innovation, jobs and skills in the capital

On 23 March, I called on organisations to bid for shares of over £560 million of new European funding that is now available to support innovation and businesses in the capital, with a particular focus on projects that can help Londoners into education, employment or training and create new jobs.

That funding is set to be matched by contributions from partners, including the Skills Funding Agency, Department of Work and Pensions and Big Lottery Fund, which potentially means the programme will be worth over £1.1 billion over the next seven years. With London’s population forecast to increase to over 10 million by 2030, the funding will support my aims to provide crucial new jobs and skills.

The London Enterprise Panel will recommend where funding is eventually allocated. Details of how to apply for funding can be found at: www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Super Connected Cities

London has now met and surpassed its 4,270 SME target for issuing ultrafast broadband connection vouchers as part of the Super Connected Cities scheme.

In addition to the voucher scheme, £1.7 million of funding is being used to grant fund public institutions in London to enable them to roll out free public Wi-Fi access. 79 libraries or museums across the capital have completed installation and have gone live with their public Wi-Fi provision. Some of the world’s largest and most renowned cultural institutions are among this number, including Tate Modern, the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.

Outer London Fund

Projects from my Outer London Fund (OLF) in Northwood Hills, Ruislip Manor, Rainham, Barking Town Centre and Barkingside have now been completed and have successfully delivered 124 new jobs, 27,401 square meters of upgraded public space and secured £4,368,049 of match funding from partner bodies as a result of my investment.

On March 17, Daniel Moylan opened the Lowlands Park Recreation Ground as part of the OLF project in Harrow. Harrow has been awarded £862,400 from Round One and £1.75 million from Round Two of my OLF for improvements to North Harrow and Harrow town centre. This investment has been boosted by match funding from the Borough of £2.35 million. There is also more to come as I continue to invest in Harrow through my High Street Fund. Station Road will be upgraded using £225,000 matched like for like by the Borough.

On 18 March, representatives from LB Waltham Forest, Thames Water and the GLA, including my Senior Advisor, Environment and Energy, Matthew Pencharz, congregated to celebrate the commencement of work on site at Walthamstow Wetlands.

I am investing £750,000 in the £8 million project through my OLF and Big Green Fund. The project will deliver the largest urban wetland nature reserve in London, on a significant cultural heritage site providing access to a 200 hectare open space which has been largely unavailable to local people and a new visitor centre at the iconic Marine Engine House. This will provide essential access to open space to growing communities at both Blackhorse Lane and Tottenham Hale, as well as an important connection in the middle Lea Valley.

MedCity

I have approved MedCity Limited’s business plan for the 2015/16 financial year and the release of £400,000 grant funding, to be made available in the 2015/16 financial year.

GLA Food Programme 2015-16

I have approved expenditure of £300,000 towards the projects and staffing of the Food Programme for 2015-16 and, an extension for the Food Flagships programme from within existing approved funding, to a new end date of January 2017.

Housing and Land

Landlord accreditation reaches 115,000 London homes

On 24 March, I announced that more than 115,000 rented homes across the city are now badged under my London Rental Standard, the capital’s first city-wide badge of accreditation to improve the experience of landlords and tenants.

Less than a year since its launch, the London Rental Standard is going from strength to strength, with 307 letting agent firms signed up and eight accrediting bodies licensed under the scheme. It has been adopted by 10 of the biggest names in the lettings industry, including Spicerhaart (Haart and Felicity J Lord), Andrews, CBRE, Chestertons, Douglas and Gordon, Savills, Knight Frank, Leaders, Foxtons and Stirling Ackroyd.

Londoners either letting or renting through every London branch of these firms are assured that they, and every landlord or agent displaying the London Rental Standard badge, have met my set of core commitments and training levels to offer tenants a better, more professional service. These include transparent fees, better property conditions, better communications between landlords and tenants, improved response times and repairs and protected deposits.

£30 million fund launched to tackle homelessness & help young Londoners

On 12 March, I launched a £30 million fund to help both improve hostel services for homeless people and deliver new accommodation targeting young adults facing homelessness who may not be able to maintain employment or education. Boroughs, housing providers and voluntary sector organisations can now apply for the funding, which will help hundreds of the capital’s most vulnerable people live independently.

The funding will help deliver new hostels and refurbish some of those in the poorest condition. Research has shown that early interventions with teenagers facing homelessness results in them being far less likely to end up on the streets in the later life. As such, funding will also be aimed at delivering new accommodation for younger people who cannot live with their families and help them complete further education courses or apprenticeships.

The new fund for London is made up of £15 million from the Department of Health and £15 million from the GLA and is part of a wider Government national scheme to tackle homelessness.

Delivery of 85,000th affordable home and two new Housing Zones planned

On 16 March, I announced that I have now delivered the 85,000th property funded by my affordable housing programme. I made the announcement at a new central London development that has been transformed from a former run down estate into 209 high quality new homes. The regeneration of the former Holland Estate site has delivered 81 new affordable homes, including 68 for rent and 13 shared ownership.

My Deputy Mayor of Housing and Land, Richard Blakeway, visited the development to meet new residents, where he also revealed new £50 million funding for two new Housing Zones in Waltham Forest and Wembley that are set to create thousands of new homes and new jobs.

The Waltham Forest Housing Zone will enable the housing led regeneration of the Blackhorse Lane and Northern Olympic areas, creating two new villages connected by the Lea Valley regional Park. The Zone will receive £41,985,000 towards 2,477 new homes, with 596 affordable properties. In Wembley, there will be five phases of development along the east of Wembley High Road and towards the Stadium. The Zone will receive £8,000,000 and create at least 2,380 homes, 894 affordable properties.The two new Zones take the total number of Housing Zones in the capital to eleven.

Separately, London Boroughs of Haringey, Greenwich, Bexley and Brent will also benefit from new intermediate rental properties funded by loans from my Housing Bank. The first allocations of millions of funding from my Housing Bank will help deliver intermediate rental homes that include Peabody Homes in Thamesmead, Isis as part of the wider Hale Wharf regeneration site, and Quintain, as part of the continued regeneration of Wembley Park. The Bank offers tailored financial support to speed up the construction of homes, including building later parts of large, multi-phased housing schemes earlier than scheduled.

Estates Contracts

I have approved:

 Expenditure of £230,000 per year, plus fees for additional activities incurred, on the management of the GLA Land & Property Ltd (GLAP) portfolio for a period of three years from 1st April 2015 by GVA Grimley;  Expenditure of £253,000 for GL Hearn to undertake an annual Asset Revaluation programme of the GLA, GLAP (with the exception of Greenwich Peninsula) and London Legacy Development Corporation property portfolios (including E20) for a term of three years, starting with the 2014/15 valuation; and  Expenditure of £40,000 on the appointment of JLL (previously known as Jones Lang LaSalle) to undertake the 2014-5 valuation of Greenwich Peninsula.

Lymington Fields – Whalebone Lane Highway Works

I have approved capital expenditure of £645,950 within 2014-15 in order to meet a contractual liability to contribute 50 per cent of the total costs of completed highway works adjacent to the Lymington Fields site.

Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund

I have approved the GLA receiving £35 million capital grant funding from the Department of Health and administering this funding over 3 years, commencing in financial year 2015/16 and ending 2017/18, for the purposes of the Mayor’s Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund - Phase 2 (MCSSHF).

I have authorised each of the Deputy Mayor for Housing Land and Property and, the Executive Director of Housing and Land, to prepare and publish a bidding prospectus, which sets out the basis on which GLA funding will be made available under the MCSSHF, and the bidding process.

Finally, I have delegated authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Land, and authorised GLA Land and Property Limited as required, to contractually commit up to £35 million of MCSSHF funding to successful bidders for GLA funding and, to enter into the subsequent contractual funding agreements and do all things necessary or desirable to facilitate the implementation and operation of the matters referred to above.

Delegation of Programme Administration to the Homes and Communities Agency

Under the GLA Act 1999 (as amended), I have agreed to delegate to the HCA exercise of my powers in sections 30 and 34 of the GLA Act in accordance with, and for the purposes of, undertaking the activities specified in an Instruments of Delegation in relation to the following national housing related capital investment programmes:

o Estate Regeneration Loan Fund; o Custom Build Services Plots Fund; o Builders Finance Fund; o Large Sites Infrastructure Fund; and o Local Growth Fund (Housing Infrastructure).

I have agreed to the GLA entering into the Memorandum of Understanding with DCLG/HCA which relates to these delegations.

Housing Zones – Financial Transaction

I have approved:

o The GLA (and, if agreed to by DCLG and where applicable, GLAP) receiving up to £200 million of repayable capital funding from DCLG, in the form of a Financial Transaction, and administering the funding to unlock and accelerate housing delivery through my Housing Zones programme; and o The GLA (and, if agreed to by DCLG and where applicable, GLAP) entering into a contractual agreement with DCLG to receive, use and repay the funding in line with the substance of the proposed main terms of the agreement.

I have delegated authority to the Executive Director of Resources to agree and enter into the contractual agreement with DCLG by signing the agreement (and without the need for a Director Decision Form), providing the terms of the agreement are in line with the substance of the proposed main terms of the agreement and, to do all things necessary or desirable to facilitate the implementation and operation of the matters referred to above.

Recovery of Capital Grants and Recycled Capital Grant Fund General Determination 2015

I have approved ‘The Recovery of Capital Grants and Recycled Capital Grant Fund General Determination 2015’, and in taking the decision to approve the Determination, I have taken into account responses to the consultation. I agreed that the Determination should be published on the 1 April 2015 and becomes effective from that date.

Completion of legal agreements for the development of land at Pontoon Dock, Royal Docks

I have approved the recommendation to select Bouygues Development-Leadbitter Limited as the preferred bidder for the Pontoon Dock project and GLA Land and Property Ltd’s entry into the development agreement with Bouygues Development-Leadbitter Limited.

I have delegated to the Executive Director of Housing & Land, the authority to execute the development agreement with Bouygues Development-Leadbitter Limited and all ancillary documents necessary to facilitate the Pontoon Dock project.

Homelessness Change and Platform for Life Fund

I have approved the receipt by the GLA of £15.5 million of funding for the Homelessness Change and Platform for Life fund and capital expenditure of up to £30.5 million for my Housing Covenant - Homelessness Change and Platform for Life Fund.

I have also approved the principles and practices set out in the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Health and my draft Housing Covenant - Homelessness Change and Platform for Life Fund Prospectus.

Albert Basin Housing Delivery - Gallions Quarter

I have approved, in relation to the Gallions Quarter development at the Royal Docks:

 The terms of the Deed of Variation to the Development Agreement with Notting Hill Housing Trust;  GLA Land & Property Ltd entering into an option to purchase the ‘access land’ from Dockland Light Railway Ltd and granting Notting Hill Housing Trust a long lease on the terms set out;  GLA Land & Property Ltd selling the ‘extension land’ to Dockland Light Railway Ltd via an option agreement or direct sale on the terms set out;  GLA Land & Property Ltd entering into the s106 agreement on the site upon the terms set out; and  GLA Land & Property Ltd granting Notting Hill Housing Trust rights to relocate services within the site, carry out road works and seek adoption of Gallions Road as per the terms set out.

Housing Zone Consultancy Support

I have approved expenditure of up to £800,000 to appoint Property/ Valuation/ Cost Consultants and Legal Advisors, to assist in carrying out the detailed due diligence phase, which will include a comprehensive review of development/ financial assumptions within bidders proposals, together with a review of state aid compliance, governance and legal contracting work for the Housing Zone proposals.

Environment

Big Green Fund 2

I have announced that seven green spaces across the capital are to be transformed with funding after thousands of Londoners backed them in the Big Green Poll.

The projects, which aim to improve local green spaces, were shortlisted for funding in January. Londoners were then invited to vote online for their favorite scheme and, with more than 10,000 votes cast overall, I have decided that due to the popularity of all seven schemes, each should get a share of the £900,000 fund.

The confirmed projects are:

o Firs Farm Wetlands in Enfield o Riding the Roding in the borough of Redbridge o The Stanmore Marsh Restoration scheme in Harrow o Thamesmead Thames Path Transformation in Greenwich o The Wetlands to Wetlands Greenway in Hackney o Access to Wandle Park in Croydon

Low Carbon Entrepreneur competition

On March 13, I announced the winner of my 4th annual Low Carbon Entrepreneur competition with a judging and awards event held in the Chamber. The 10 finalist student groups, chosen

by an expert panel from over 150 applications, pitched their ideas dragon’s den style to the final judging panel, which included award winning solo yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, journalist and newsreader Charlene White and co-founder of Innocent smoothies Richard Reed. An audience of 180 attended to observe the pitches and the awards announcement and also attend a celebration lunch in London’s Living Room.

The chosen winners share a corporately sponsored development fund to help then turn their ideas into reality. Siemens have now sponsored the competition for the past 3 years and this year’s winners were:

o Bump Mark by Solveiga Pakstaite, Brunel University - £15,000 to develop her innovative food expiry label which degrades at the same rate as the food depending on the transport conditions, making the information provided more accurate, and ultimately reducing food waste. o Clotho London by Caroline Wood and Vivien Tang - £5,000 to help expand their collection facilities for their online second hand clothes swapping and selling website.

Tempus Energy

On 18 March, my Senior Advisor, Environment and Energy, Matthew Pencharz, attended a launch event at City Hall for Tempus Energy, who received a £250,000 loan from my Growing Places Fund. Tempus Energy is a completely new type of electricity supplier that uses demand- flexibility technology to help customers avoid high peak-time prices, in a way that does not interrupt their daily routine. With the help of the London Enterprise Panel loan funding, Tempus has developed a technology platform that can automatically shift usage away from expensive times and into periods when prices are lower, such as during the night or times when renewable generation is very active. This allows customers to reduce their electricity bill and carbon footprint at the same time.

Clean Air Fund

I have approved the GLA joining the Joint Air Quality Initiative (JOAQUIN), with the GLA as lead partner for the London bid, and authorised the GLA to receive €200,000 (£167,000) from JOAQUIN as match-funding.

I have delegated authority to the Executive Director for Development, Enterprise and Environment, to take all steps necessary to deliver the approved programme, including revisions to the proposed budget allocations, as appropriate, within the overall amount approved and approving the receipt of and allocating any additional funding awarded by JOAQUIN.

I have authorised the GLA to receive and pass on funding of up to €53,385 (£43,913) on behalf of the airTEXT consortium over the same period.

I have also recommended that the Head of Paid Service approve the creation of a one year fixed term Grade 8 post (funded through JOAQUIN) to support the delivery of Clean Air Fund programmes, the GLA’s participation in the JOAQUIN project and other air quality related matters.

Finally, I have authorised GLA officers to procure specialist accountancy consultancy support to fulfil the ‘First Level Control’ requirements for INTERREG funding.

Social Inclusion and Health

London sets out to become the world's healthiest major global city

On 19 March, alongside NHS England, Public Health England, London Councils and the 32 GP- led clinical commissioning groups, I outlined how individually and collaboratively, we will work towards London becoming the world's healthiest major city.

The new partnership has been established in response to the challenges set out in the London Health Commission’s Better Health for London Report and the NHS Five Year Forward View.

The aim is to work together at all levels to make the best use of resources and build on best practice to improve the health and well-being of all Londoners, wherever they live in the capital. The plan is a good basis to explore how London could benefit from more autonomy to improve the future of the capital’s health. Better Health for London: Next Steps sets out shared ambitions and how they will measure progress towards these shared goals which include:

o Give all London's children a healthy, happy start to life; o Get London fitter with better food, more exercise and healthier living; o Make work a healthy place to be in London; o Help Londoners to kick unhealthy habits; o Improve care for the most mentally ill in London so they live longer, healthier lives; o Enable Londoners to do more to look after themselves; o Fully engage and involve Londoners in the future health of their city; and o Put London at the centre of the global revolution in digital health.

While leadership for improvements in health and wellbeing will need to come from commissioners, providers and professionals across the capital, the organisations and agencies involved in the 'Next Steps' partnership will also collaborate sub-regionally and across London to support change. The London Health Board, which recently met at City Hall, will bring together citywide leadership to unlock progress and champion improvements for Londoners.

Scottish Women of Achievement Event

On 18 March, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended a Scottish Women of Achievement charity event benefiting the Prince’s Trust of Scotland on my behalf. She spoke about her role as Deputy Mayor of London.

London Health Board

On 12 March, I chaired the first meeting of the refocused London Health Board. The Board is tasked with driving improvements in the capital where there are health and care inequalities.

Board Members have chosen childhood obesity, mental health, NHS estates and primary care as the initial areas of focus for the board. The LHB partners will be supporting the follow up from the LHC’s work and on 19 March 2015,the GLA published ‘The Better Health for London Next Steps’, setting out London’s vision towards becoming the healthiest city on earth. The London Health Board will meet every quarter.

London Health Board funding 2015/16 to 2017/18

I have approved receipt of income of £350,000 for 2015-16 and, in principle and subject to partner approval processes, the same amounts in 2016-17 and 2017-18 (total £1.05 million) as set out below:

o London Councils £100,000 per annum; o London Office of Clinical Commissioning Groups £100,000 per annum; o NHS England (London) £100,000 per annum; and o Public Health England £50,000 per annum; and

I have also approved expenditure of £400,000 (net annual GLA cost of £50,000) in 2015-16, and (subject to the continued provision of funding by the above contributors) in 2016-17 and 2017-18, on London Health Commission costs (total £1.2 million over three years).

Permission to Accept Funding from Public Health England (London)

I have approved the GLA’s acceptance and receipt of £300,000 from Public Health England (London) for the provision of public health specialist expertise to the GLA in 2014-15 and the development of strategic leadership for health in London for 2015/16. I have also approved expenditure of this funding on the provision of public health specialist expertise to assist in PHE's strategic priorities of obesity and giving children the best start in life.

Briefing on orthopaedic care for veterans

On 31 March, I met representatives from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust for a briefing on orthopaedic care for veterans.

Veterans Aid Annual Meeting

On 16 April, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended the Veterans Aid charity Annual Meeting on my behalf.

Women in Construction and Engineering Awards Judges Meetings

On 20 April and 21 April, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended Women in Construction and Engineering Awards (WICE) Judges Meetings on my behalf, to choose the winning project for the 2015 WICE award.

Installation of Mahatma Gandhi Statue in Parliament Square Gardens

I approved the erection of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the west terrace of Parliament Square Gardens and a one-one off contribution to the ‘Estates Reserve’ of £75,000 from the Trustees of Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust for the future maintenance of the proposed Statue.

London Healthy Workplace Charter

I have approved expenditure of up to £250,000 over two years from 2015-16 to 2016-17 to upscale my workplace health programme as a leading action, in response to the London Health Commission report Better Health for London, in order to support a healthier working age population.

I have delegated authority to the Executive Director of Communities and Intelligence to approve receipt and expenditure of any additional external income raised.

Education and Youth

Achievement for All London Primary Programme

In March 2015, I launched a new drive to boost literacy and numeracy skills among London’s most disadvantaged primary school children as children’s charity, Achievement for All, delivers my new London Primary Programme.

The programme will benefit an estimated 1,600 children from 40 schools across London. Over the next two years, participating schools can expect to see an increase in children’s academic achievement in Reading, Writing and Maths, alongside a reduction in absenteeism, improved parental engagement and better behaviour. This project is part funded by my London Schools Excellence Fund and match funded by the schools themselves.

Foreign Language Capacity in the UK: Showcasing successful engagement

On Tuesday 28 April, my Deputy Mayor for Education & Culture, Munira Mirza, spoke at an event for one of my London Schools Excellence Fund projects ‘Professional Language Networks’ led by the University of Westminster.

The project has worked with over 130 primary and secondary teachers from over 70 London schools to develop their language knowledge, pedagogy and confidence. The project is already having a positive impact on teachers’ delivery of languages and pupils academic progress.

The event was attended by over 70 language professionals, teachers and academics. My Deputy Mayor spoke alongside Baroness Coussins (Chair, of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages) and Peter Mathews (The CEO of Black Country Metals Limited & International Trade Ambassador for West Midlands), to highlight the importance of learning languages and multilingualism for education and business in the UK.

Young Enterprise Central North London Finals

On 23 March, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended the Young Enterprise Central North London Finals on my behalf. This event featured teams of young entrepreneurs in a “Dragon’s Den” style competition to bid for start-up capital to support their business idea.

City Hall Student Visits

On 25 March, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, hosted students for a City Hall visit on my behalf. The visiting students were from The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School and Debate Mate.

Budget, Finance and GLA Organisation

Budget that recognises the potential of London

On 18 March, I welcomed the commitments made in the recent Budget which showed that the Government understands the extraordinary potential of London. Commitments made by the Government in the most recent Budget included:

o Skills co-commissioning: The Government confirmed the GLA will take over take over joint commissioning of Skills Funding Agency funding and incentives for FE colleges and other providers; and a co-commissioning and priority setting role in the National Careers Service; o London Land Commission: It was confirmed that the Government will provide £1 million per annum to help establish a Commission with the role of helping to ensure that the capital’s surplus public sector land and property, as well as brownfield sites, are developed; o Croydon Growth Zone: The Government indicated £7 million of support for a Croydon Growth Zone that will help plug a gap of £95 million of infrastructure investment and generate at least 23,000 net new jobs with a further 5,000 jobs during the construction period, along with at least 8,000 new homes in central Croydon by 2031; o Brent Cross Cricklewood: Government will contribute £97 million towards the financial costs of building a new station; o Croxley Rail Link: A plan has been agreed to extend and fund the Metropolitan Line from Croxley to Watford Junction, via Watford High Street and two new stations; o Science: The Government will reinvest up to £30 million from the sale of Medical Research Council assets to support research at the Francis Crick Institute; and o Riverside wharves: The Government confirmed plans to devolve planning powers to the Mayor, releasing them from safeguarding by Whitehall regulations. That means the Mayor will be able to potentially take forward new developments for new homes and commercial use.

Approval to Establish the Pan-GLA Group Collaborative Procurement Function

I have approved the formation of a pan-GLA group collaborative procurement function and the entering into of arrangements with TfL and the other functional bodies under section 401A of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (GLA Act) for the following purposes:

o The establishment of the GLA Group Collaborative Procurement Board (the Board) and the participation of the GLA as a member of that Board; o The appointment of the Chief of Staff as the GLA’s representative, who is to chair the Board; o The delegation of the GLA’s procurement and contracting functions generally to TfL and / or to the Board, including power to determine in a binding manner on the GLA’s behalf, all matters considered necessary or expedient concerning the entering into of contracts and other arrangements with suppliers (including as to specification, value / price, volume and other terms and conditions), which will be more particularly set out in the relevant documentation; o The provision of funding to TfL to establish and host the collaborative procurement team; o To provide a secretariat function to the Board and the collaborative procurement team; and

o To enter into the necessary agreements with other participating group bodies (Joint Arrangements Agreement and any others considered necessary or expedient) to establish the Board, TfL- hosted collaborative procurement team and above arrangements as determined by the Executive Director of Resources (acting under the General Delegation).

Approval of GLA Group Borrowing Limits and Prudential Indicators for 2015-16 to 2017-18 and Amendment of Borrowing Limits for LLDC and TfL for 2014-15

I have agreed to the Authorised borrowing Limits and Prudential Indicators for 2015-16 to 2017-18 for the GLA and for each functional body and the amendment to the Authorised Borrowing Limit for TfL for 2014-15.

2015/16 funding for the new London.gov.uk website

I have approved additional GLA expenditure of £175,000 for the 2015/16 financial year for the completion of the London.gov.uk redevelopment programme. I have also approved the variation to the GLA’s current contract for web development services with CTi Digital, to extend the provision from 1 April 2015 to project completion and launch in summer 2015.

Appointments

Roger Evans AM appointed as my new Statutory Deputy Mayor

On 25 March, I was delighted to announce that I had appointed Roger Evans AM as London’s new Statutory Deputy Mayor, following the decision of Victoria Borwick AM to step down from the role.

Roger will take up his new role when his term as Chairman of the London Assembly expires on 13 May 2015. Victoria Borwick will officially step down as Deputy Mayor at the London Assembly Annual General Meeting on the same day.

Olympic and Paralympic Legacy and Sport

London aiming to be the most physically active city on the planet

On 12 March, alongside the Chief Executive of Sport England, Jennie Price, I unveiled a new not-for-profit sports organisation with a £5.5 million budget to improve sports facilities and inspire more Londoners to be physically active.

London Sport will ensure London continues the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and inspire one million Londoners to be more physically active by 2020.

London Sport’s vision is to get one million people more active by 2020 and to ensure London becomes the most physically active city in the world. London Sport is in discussions with Loughborough University to develop an index comparing levels of participation amongst Olympic and Paralympic host cities.

Alongside Sport England, I am investing over £5.5million a year into London Sport to help it achieve its ambitions. London Sport has set out the principles of its work in its new strategy:

o Investing £5.5million in grassroots sport and physical activity projects across the capital; o Unlocking and sharing insight and knowledge of grassroots sporting and physical activity habits gained from delivering sports programmes in London; and o Influencing the public and private sectors to provide increased funding, with a target by 2018 for London Sport’s annual income to have increased to £10million, for London Sport to pass on to grassroots sport and physical activity in London.

I also announced a further £1 million investment in my Sports Legacy Programme over the next 12 months to help to deliver the ‘Blueprint for a Physically Active Sporting City’.

9/11 artwork unveiled on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

On 17 March, I unveiled an artwork entitled ‘since 9/11’ to commemorate the 9/11 attacks in New York. The artwork, which is located close to the London Aquatics Centre, was formed by a piece of 9/11 Twin Towers steel recovered from Ground Zero in New York, gifted to the UK by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2010.

The artwork serves as a pertinent reminder of the 9/11 atrocities and is an apt addition to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which encapsulated the spirit of hope and tolerance during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Foundation for FutureLondon

On 19 March, a new charity, Foundation for FutureLondon, was created to help realise the potential of Olympicopolis and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The charity is chaired by Sir Bill Castell, currently also chair of the Wellcome Trust and Chichester Festival Theatre.

The charity aims to ensure, through the promotion of arts, culture, science and education, that the arrival of new world class institutions can successfully raise aspiration and provide new opportunities for people in east London. It has merged with the Legacy List, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park charity set up in 2011.

The Foundation for FutureLondon will work closely with the partners of the ‘Olympicopolis’ project on Stratford Waterfront, home to a new branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum, a new campus for the University of the Arts London, a new theatre for Sadler’s Wells and possibly the first permanent home for the Smithsonian Institution outside the US. The charity will also work with University College London on its new campus to the south of the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

Community Reception for Sport Organisations

On 23 March, alongside my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, and Sports Commissioner, Kate Hoey MP, I attended a Community Reception in London’s Living Room to recognise London Sport Organisations.

Fire

Disposal of the former fire station sites at Bow and Silvertown

I have directed LFEPA to dispose of the former fire station sites at Bow and Silvertown to the Secretary of State via the Education Funding Agency. I have also provided a letter of comfort to LFEPA confirming that the GLA will increase LFEPA’s funding if legal proceedings are issued as a result of the direction.

Revised Direction to LFEPA to dispose of the former fire station site at Southwark to Hadston

I have directed LFEPA to dispose of the former Southwark fire station site to Hadston, a developer who is committed to building a new secondary school on the site. I have also provided a letter of comfort to LFEPA confirming that the GLA will increase LFEPA’s funding if legal proceedings are issued as a result of the direction.

Culture and Events

Plan to halt underselling of London's cultural riches

On 25 March, I unveiled my vision to build on London's success as one of the world’s great cultural destinations.

Four out of five travellers say culture is their main reason for coming to London and a new Culture Report shows cultural tourists spent £7.3 billion in 2013, generating £3.2 billion for our economy and supporting 80,000 jobs in the capital.

London's top 20 attractions account for 90 per cent of visits by tourists, but the success of events and attractions like Secret Cinema, which draws almost 50 per cent of it audience from outside the capital, and the weekend crowds heading to places like Brick Lane and Borough Market, suggest tourists also have an appetite for more local and niche activities that will provide more 'authentic' cultural experiences.

I believe more needs to be done to maximise the full potential of culture in the capital. My vision is to enable it to increase its economic impact further, creating jobs and, in a hugely competitive global market for international travellers, ensuring the future sustainability of cultural organisations both large and small, all over the city.

'Take a Closer Look – A Cultural Tourism Vision for London' can be found at: www.london.gov.uk/culturaltourism.

Plan to boost busking across London and beyond

On 23 March, I announced two major new initiatives that will build on Gigs, my annual busking competition for musicians aged 11-25.

Following last year's #BackBusking campaign, which was set up to investigate the problems faced by buskers performing around the city, my Busk in London scheme is now up and running. It aims to make busking and street performance much easier in the capital and

includes London's first Busking Code of Conduct, a set of common sense rules, devised by performers, councils, businesses and the police. I also unveiled plans for the inaugural National Busking Day, which will see street musicians performing in cities around the country in July.

Busk in London is the world's first ever city-wide street performance scheme. It aims to eliminate the reams of red tape and myriad of confusing rules that discourage performers from taking to the streets to perform. I have enlisted the help of big players in the music industry and key agencies, including the MPS, Network Rail, TfL and the boroughs, to help develop a pan-London approach and make the city more busker-friendly.

Busk in London includes a 'one-stop-shop' website www.buskinlondon.com, bringing together information previously scattered around the web, so that musicians and street performers can quickly access busking locations across the capital.

As well as Busk in London, I also launched this year's Gigs competition, the city's annual search for the capital's most talented young musicians. Aimed at 11-25 year-olds, it gives aspiring artists the opportunity to hone their skills and gain valuable experience performing in front of the public and, if successful, they could perform at the Grand Final at Westfield Stratford City in September. The competition is open now. More information about how to enter is available at www.london.gov.uk/gigs.

Fourth Plinth Schools Awards

On 30 April, my Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture, Munira Mirza, awarded this year's Fourth Plinth Schools Awards, alongside international artist Mark Wallinger who judged this year's competition. This year we had over 1800 submissions from more than 2000 school children across every London borough. The winning works are on display at City Hall's second floor gallery space until 3 July.

Visas for International Artists

On 17 March, I co-hosted with the Home Office a special event on Visas for International Artists in London’s Living Room. Delegates from the arts and culture sector were invited to attend and learn about various visa options applicable to international creatives and artists. The event was also a forum for the sector to provide feedback on challenges encountered when engaging with a points based immigration system.

My Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture, Munira Mirza, opened the event which was attended by 85 delegates from across the spectrum of the cultural industries, including museums, music, dance and theatre companies, as well as representatives from literature and the visual arts.

My Culture and Diversity and Social Policy Units are developing a programme of activity to address these findings with UK Visas and Immigration.

St Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade

On 15 March, I once again supported London's annual festival and parade to mark St Patrick’s Day, which showcased the contribution of the Irish community to our city and promoted Irish culture. Approximately 95,000 people attended the parade through central London and the main event in Trafalgar Square.

Activity on Trafalgar Square included a stage which showcased traditional and modern Irish music, an Irish food market, a film festival, tea dance and a creative children’s area.

People’s Question Time – Haringey

On 19 March, I attended the People’s Question Time event at The Dominion Centre, Wood Green in Haringey. An audience of over 800 attended and questioned myself and Assembly Member colleagues on issues affecting Haringey and London.

Vaisakhi

On 11 April, City Hall and The Scoop hosted the Sikh Festival of Vaisakhi. This year the event which has previously taken place at Trafalgar Square was organised in association with a newly formed community steering group, with representatives from Singh Sabha London East and the Ernst & Young Sikh Network. The group helped to give the event a new and refreshed format, and ensure it engaged positively with the wider Sikh community who came out in large numbers, along with many other visitors, to enjoy the occasion.

The programme included traditional music and dance, gatka (martial arts), langar (food), exhibitions, turban tying, films and displays by a variety of Sikh grass roots organisations and charities. My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, attended the event, and addressed the audience in The Scoop. He was able to meet some of the organisers and distinguished attendees including Gurdas Maan, one of the biggest artists in the Sikh/Punjabi community, Tommy Sandhu, a popular presenter from BBC Asian Network who also compered the Scoop programme, and Fauja Singh, the world's oldest Marathon runner, aged 102, and a legendary figure in the Sikh community.

Feast of St George

On 25 April, the Feast of St George took place in Trafalgar Square. My Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, spoke at the event and welcomed the crowds to a sunny Trafalgar Square and a feast of traditional English fare and free entertainment.

The English Food Market was present once again, providing the opportunity to try some delicious food including soft shell crab burgers, pork pies and a hog roast, all of which could be devoured whilst seated in the splendid banqueting area, featuring a magnificent interactive St George sculpture. Other highlights included live cookery demonstrations from renowned chef Brian Turner and previous Masterchef winner Natalie Coleman.

There was also entertainment on the bandstand from Let It Be the musical, Robbie Boyd and his Band, Morris Dancing and the opportunity to enjoy a sing song with a comedic take on old English Music Hall.

Anzac and Gallipoli Commemoration Service

On 25 April, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended the Commemoration Ceremony at the Cenotaph on my behalf, to mark Anzac Day and the one hundredth anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign. This Ceremony was held in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.

Museum of London Event

On 26 March, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended an event supporting the Museum of London on my behalf.

London Civil Engineering Awards

On 13 April and 14 April, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, toured the short-listed projects for the London Civil Engineering awards, to choose the winning projects for the 2015 awards awarded by the Institution of Civil Engineers.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks 2015 and 2016

I have approved the ticketing for the New Year’s Eve event remaining at £10 in 2015 and 2016 and the GLA’s underwriting of the financial risk associated with uncertain revenue from ticket sales, concessions and sponsorship for New Year’s Eve 2015 and 2016.

Events for London Programme for 2014/15

I have approved the 2014-15 Events Programme, with an estimated net cost to the GLA of up to £1,095,000 (excluding New Year’s Eve) and, the receipt of income and seeking of sponsorship from suitable partners, in order to raise additional revenue for the Events Programme (target £310,000), which will be used to enhance events within the Programme if forthcoming.

I have delegated authority to the Director of Communications and External Affairs to approve all further arrangements for the delivery of the events programme, including grant awards, procurement of services, and any movement of budgets between events within the programme.

Volunteering

Team London ‘speed volunteering’ scheme to get busy Londoners doing their bit

On 25 March, I launched a revolutionary new speed volunteering scheme to encourage busy Londoners to try out volunteering for the first time. The scheme is the latest development in my Team London volunteering programme, which has seen almost 62,000 Londoners help out across the capital in the last two years.

According to an independent survey, 60 per cent of potential volunteers are deterred from volunteering because they feel they do not have sufficient time due to work and other commitments. The digital Team London speed volunteering initiative will allow people to sign up for short, sharp bursts of activity, which fit around their demanding schedules, whilst making a real difference to their local communities.

The online speed volunteering platform works by allowing individuals to input their interests, location and availability, to then be matched with possible volunteering opportunities. All speed volunteering opportunities are for six hours or less, require no training and are one-off activities, at flexible times throughout the week. More information can be found at: https://speedvolunteer.london.gov.uk/.

Corporate Breakfast

On 23 April, Team London hosted a breakfast event in London’s Living Room bringing together 80 senior leaders from a variety of business sectors. The aim of the event was to engage new businesses and encourage them to sign up to my Corporate Commitment and raise awareness of the partnership between Team London, CIPD and Step up to Serve, which can support London businesses with their corporate social responsibility programmes.

The Corporate commitment has the following main objectives; to engage London businesses to recognise the important role that volunteering can play in developing vital soft skills in their youth recruitment pipeline, to inspire them to support social action within their organisation, and to make is easy for their employees to volunteer by giving them one day a year to volunteer.

The breakfast also raised awareness of the different ways Team London can offer support to businesses when they engage in social action. The breakfast was hosted by my Senior Advisor, Veronica Wadley, with over 70 representatives from across different business sectors attending the event. The guests heard from two graduates of the HeadStart London programme, who explained how volunteering has helped them build skills whilst also gaining employment opportunities, as well as Paralympian Martine Wright, Sian Sutherland, founder and CEO of Mio Skincare and Lisa Robbins, HR Director of Starbucks.

Volunteering into Employment, Education and Training

In April, I launched the Team London Volunteering into Employment, Education and Training programme (EET). The programme is aimed at supporting 18-24 year olds into sustained employment education or training, though the primary focus will be gaining sustained employment outcomes. Team London has shared £100,000 of grant funds amongst three delivery partners; Business and Education London South (known as BELS), City Gateway and V- inspired. All three organisations specialise in supporting disadvantaged young people into Employment Education and Training through a variety of innovative methods.

Team London will provide young people with volunteering opportunities at major events such as Ride London or my NYE London fireworks event, young people will then have be offered further support in terms of job search and employability skills training. The programme will demonstrate the positive effects that skills gained from volunteering can have on a young person securing entry into employment, education and training.

Planning and Development

Planning Decisions (Stage II referrals)

4-6 Stanhope Gate and 18A Curzon Street, 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.

Buildings D3 to D8 Beaufort Park, LB Barnet I have written to the London Borough of Barnet stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

South East Block of Goodmans Fields, LB Tower Hamlets I have written to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

South Quay Plaza, LB Tower Hamlets I have written to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Peterley Business Centre, LB Tower Hamlets I have written to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

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

Homebase Rookery Way, LB Barnet I have written to the London Borough of Barnet stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Liddell Industrial Estate , LB Camden I have written to the London Borough of Camden stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

22-29 Albert Embankment, 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.

Stroudley Walk, LB Tower Hamlets I have written to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Northwood School, 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.

IKEA Edmonton, LB Enfield I have written to the London Borough of Enfield stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Holt Court, RB Greenwich I have written to the Royal Borough of Greenwich stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

St Ann’s Hospital, LB Haringey I have written to the London Borough of Haringey stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Larner Road Estate, LB Bexley I have written to the London Borough of Bexley stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Erith Quarry, LB Bexley I have written to the London Borough of Bexley stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Albert Wharf, LB Hammersmith and Fulham I have written to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Land at Rectory Farm, LB Hounslow I have written to the London Borough of Hounslow stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

London City Airport, LB Newham I have written to the London Borough of Newham directing the Council to refuse planning permission.

Delegated Stage II Decisions

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

Nos12, 14, 15 and 16 Gunnery Terrace, RB Greenwich The Deputy Mayor has written to the Royal Borough of Greenwich stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Phases 3, 5 & 6 Kidbrooke Village, RB Greenwich The Deputy Mayor has written to the Royal Borough of Greenwich stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Former BBC Television Centre, LB Hammersmith and Fulham The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Fresh Wharf Estate, LB Barking and Dagenham The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Moxy Heathrow Hotel, LB Hounslow The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Hounslow stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Bedfont Trading Estate, LB Hounslow The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Hounslow stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Little Ilford School, LB Newham The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Newham stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

London School of Economics and Political Science, City of Westminster The Deputy Mayor has written to the City of Westminster stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Former Thames Water Land, LB Hounslow The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Hounslow stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Former Inland Revenue Site, LB Richmond The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Richmond stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Hanover Square, City of Westminster The Deputy Mayor has written to the City of Westminster stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

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

Land at Ryelands Primary School, LB Croydon The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Croydon stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Railway Embankment and 351 Caledonian Road, LB Islington The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Islington stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Heathrow Top Hotel, LB Hillingdon The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Hillingdon stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

428A & 428B Victoria Road, LB Hillingdon The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Hillingdon stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Planning Decisions (Stage I referrals)

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

 Hercules Wharf, Castle Wharf and Union Wharf, LB Tower Hamlets  Harold Hill Learning Village, LB Havering  Walthamstow Central Phase 2, LB Waltham Forest  Wedge House, LB Southwark  87-89 Loampit Vale, LB Lewisham  Norton Folgate, Shoreditch High Street and Commercial Street, LB Tower Hamlets  Greenwich Creekside East, RB Greenwich  396-418 London Road, LB Hounslow  Land west of Edgewarebury Farm, LB Barnet  Battersea Gasholders Site, LB Wandsworth  160-166 Chrisp Street, LB Tower Hamlets  Thames Wharf, LB Hammersmith and Fulham  198 York Road, LB Wandsworth

 Charter House Farringdon Road, LB Islington  Higgs Industrial Estate, LB Lambeth  New Court 48 Carey Street, City of Westminster  142-170 Streatham Hill and Wentworth House, LB Lambeth  The Russell Schools, LB Richmond upon Thames  Loughborough Park Estate, LB Lambeth  51 College Road, LB Harrow  Land opposite Econ House, LB Bromley  The Triangle Newington Causeway, LB Southwark  Frogsditch Farm, LB Hillingdon  Land at corner of Phoenix Works, LB Tower Hamlets  Greenwich Peninsula, RB Greenwich  Audley Square Garage, City of Westminster  Former Walkabout Inn, LB Hammersmith and Fulham  Leegate Shopping Centre, LB Lewisham

Development Plans

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

 Planning for Schools Development Plan Document, LB Ealing

Decisions made under delegation to Assistant Director - Planning

 Old Emmanuel School Playing Fields, LB Merton  Royal Victoria Dock, LB Newham  Consultation on Westminster’s City Plan, Local Development Framework , City of Westminster  Chiltern District Council Emerging Local Plan, Local Development Framework, Chiltern District Council  Newham Local Plan, Detailed Sites and Policies Development Plan Document, LB Newham  Colchester Borough Council’s Local Plan Issues, Development Plan Document, Colchester Borough Council  Proposed Submission Central Leeside Area Action Plan, Local Development Framework, LB Enfield  Coca Cola & Schweppes Beverages Ltd, LB Bexley  Aberfeldy Estate, LB Tower Hamlets  Twickenham Sorting Office Site, LB Richmond  Havering Local Plan Consultation, LB Havering  Hounslow House, LB Hounslow  Bishops Place, LB Hackney  Chiswick Community School, LB Hounslow  Tottenham Area Action Plan, Local Development Framework, LB Haringey  31-33 Prescot Street, LB Tower Hamlets  Royal Albert Dock, LB Newham  Marlborough Primary School, RB Kensington and Chelsea  Quebec Way Industrial Estate, LB Southwark

 36-44 Lodge Road, City of Westminster  Elthorne Park High School, LB Ealing  Southall Gateway, Supplementary Planning Document, LB Ealing

Stopping Up Orders

I have asked officers to send letters giving comments about the following stopping up orders referrals:

 Cork Street Mews, City of Westminster  Excalibur Estate, LB Lewisham

Supplementary Planning Guidance

I have approved publication of the following Supplementary Planning Guidance documents:

 Draft Housing SPG for consultation  Social Infrastructure SPG

Key Engagements

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

 I attended the Launch of London Sport at Westminster Boating Base on 12 March  I chaired the London Health Board on 12 March  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 12 March  I met with Dame Ellen MacArthur on 13 March to discuss transitioning to a circular economy  I attended the Low Carbon Entrepreneur Award Ceremony on 13 March  I attended the Metropolitan Police Service Passing Out Parade at Hendon on 13 March  I visited Kew Gardens on 16 March  I had lunch with the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, on 16 March  I met with John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive, Heathrow, on 16 March to discuss air quality and aviation  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, on 16 March  I met with Lord Leach, Edi Truell & Andrea Leadsom MP on 16 March to discuss pension funds  I attended the unveiling of the "Since 9/11" Artwork at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 17 March  I chaired the London Legacy Development Corporation Board Meeting on 17 March  I met with Dame Anne Owers, the Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, on 18 March to discuss the role of the IPCC  I co-hosted the Old Vic Fundraising event with Kevin Spacey on 18 March

 I met with Dr Gerald Chan & Ben Elliot on 19 March to discuss prospects for the development of the biotech sector in London  I met with representatives of Muslim communities on 19 March to discuss how to address radicalisation in London  I attended People’s Question Time in Wood Green on 19 March  I launched the 2015 Gigs Competition at London Bridge Station on 23 March  I held my regular “Ask Boris” Twitter session on 23 March  I met with Carlos Moedas, EU Commissioner of Research, Science and Innovation, on 23 March to discuss London’s Science and Research offer  I had my regular meeting with Dr Anne Rainsberry, Regional Director, NHS England (London) & Dr Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director, PHE on 23 March  I had my regular meeting with the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority on 23 March  I hosted a community reception for London Sporting Organisations on 23 March  I hosted my regular monthly “Ask Boris” Phone in with Nick Ferrari on 24 March  I met with Lee Scott MP on 24 March to discuss Redbridge Roundabout  I attended Mayor's Question Time on 25 March  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 25 March  I met with Dr Henry Kissinger on 25 March to discuss world affairs  I had my regular meeting with Dame Helen Alexander, the Chair, and Robin Mortimer, the Chief Executive of the Port of London Authority on 25 March  I visited the London Taxi Company Factory and Headquarters in Coventry with the Prime Minister on 26 March  I met with Kimbal Musk on 26 March to discuss how to tackle child obesity  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 26 March  I visited the Crossrail site at Finsbury Circus, Moorgate on 27 March  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, on 30 March  I chaired the London Infrastructure Delivery Board on 31 March  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 31 March  I attended the Bureau of Leaders on 31 March  I met with Hilali Noordeen and Professor Tim Briggs on 31 March to discuss NHS orthopaedic treatment of injured veterans  I held the first Board meeting of the Old Oak Common and Park Royal Development Corporation on 1 April  I hosted various conference calls with the Mayor's Advisory Group on 2 April to discuss the Kingsway Fire  I met with Sir Peter Hendy, the Transport Commissioner, on 9 April to discuss transport in London  I met with Simon Robey, Chairman, and Alex Beard, Chief Executive, of the Royal Opera House on 13 April to discuss ROH’s major capital scheme, Open Up  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner on 13 April  I met with Melanie Dawes, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government, on 13 April to discuss localism and devolution  I welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to City Hall on 14 April as she was attending a CSC Leaders event on Smart Cities  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 14 April  I met with representatives of the Orthodox Jewish Community on 16 April

 I had my regular meeting with Mayor Jules Pipe, Chair of London Councils, on 16 April to discuss areas of joint working  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 16 April  I met with Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director of the Hermitage Museum, and Evgeny Lebedev on 16 April to discuss cultural prospects in London  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 22 April  I met with Sir William Castell and Caroline Underwood, Foundation for Future London, on 22 April  I saw with Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, on 22 April  I attended a lunch hosted by Rupert Murdoch, News Corporation, on 28 April  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Craig Mackey, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, on 28 April  I met with representatives of Westminster Council, Transport for London & the Metropolitan Police Service on 28 April to discuss the policing of demonstrations in London.

Ends