London Assembly MQT – 26 February 2014 19Th Mayor’S Report to the Assembly

London Assembly MQT – 26 February 2014 19th Mayor’s Report to the Assembly

This is my nineteenth report to the Assembly, fulfilling my duty under Section 45 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. It covers the period 16 January and 12 February 2014.

Executive Summary

Thank you to customers and staff as talks on Tube modernisation resume

A big thank you to customers for their patience and to the thousands of staff who worked hard to keep London moving and open for business during the strike action called by the leaderships of the RMT and TSSA unions between 4-6 February.

Suspension of RMT and TSSA Tube strikes for 11-13 February

On 11 February, talks at ACAS with the RMT and TSSA unions led to the suspension of the Tube strike planned for 11-13 February.

The World Economic Forum – Davos - 22-24 January 2014

On 22 January, I went to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland where I urged the world’s business leaders to open their cheque books and invest in London's future. On a whistle-stop tour I met with international business leaders, opinion formers and politicians, attending more than 15 meetings and events at the Forum.

Lorries without cycle safety equipment to be banned from London

On 30 January, the London boroughs and I announced that lorries without safety equipment to protect cyclists and pedestrians will be banned from London.

Water Cannon

I met with the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee to discuss the MPS’s proposals to purchase water cannon.

Know Your Rights Campaign

On 21 January, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, launched my sixth annual ‘Know Your Rights’ campaign, aimed at encouraging pensioners and their carers to claim Pension Credits and other benefits to which they may be entitled.

Policing and Community Safety

Your Police, Your Neighbourhood

Last month I reported that the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh had launched “Your Police, Your Neighbourhood” a series of borough town hall events which will give Londoners the chance to comment on recent changes to improve local policing and make neighbourhoods safer.

The sixteen Boroughs in the first tranche of the Local Policing Model roll-out will be visited in the first round of meetings and the remaining boroughs will be visited later in the year.

The first five events have taken place in Merton, Southwark, Westminster, Hackney and Lambeth. They have been well attended and there has been an excellent level of debate and discussion about local policing, crime and confidence in the Police.

Road cameras to help boost crime fighting in London

On 11 February, I revealed proposals to boost crime fighting by giving the MPS access to more than 1,000 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) road cameras across the capital.

The ANPR camera network allows speedy identification of vehicles, such as stolen cars or vehicles involved in crimes, and data from these cameras has already played a key role in solving a number of serious crimes in London.

The MPS already collects ANPR data by using their own limited network of cameras to investigate crimes and to intercept vehicles that have been linked to crime. Gaining access to TfL’s network of cameras - which enforce London’s Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone - will triple the coverage available to the MPS, enabling them to keep London even safer. The police will ensure that this data is only used in the public interest and there are strong safeguards enforced, to guard against misuse and a ‘surveillance state’.

MOPAC has launched a period of public engagement, from 11 February until 8 April 2014, to explain the proposed changes and address any concerns. Visit the Talk London website for details: www.talk.london.gov.uk.

MOPAC Challenge

On 21 January, I chaired a MOPAC Performance Challenge. The meeting was in two parts. The main part of the meeting focused on understanding the key drivers of criminal justice timeliness. We heard from the MPS Commissioner, the London Delivery Director for HM Courts and Tribunal Service, as well as London’s Chief Crown Prosecutor about how the key partners in the Criminal Justice Service work together to reduce the time it takes to achieve outcomes and the effectiveness of the process.

The second part focused on holding to account the Commissioner and his team for delivering crime reduction. Overall the trend is good and there have been some significant reductions achieved in the last 12 months, both in the number of crimes committed in London overall (Total Notifiable Offences) as well as in the key neighbourhood crimes, where MOPAC has set a crime reduction target.

We heard some concerns about the increase in domestic violence crimes and the action the MPS is undertaking to ensure that victims are supported and that offenders are brought to justice.

Excellence in Total Policing Awards

The third annual award event celebrating amazing professionalism and dedication across the MPS took place on 22 January. My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime attended on my behalf. The ceremony recognised the professionalism and bravery of MPS officers, staff, volunteers and cadets.

Meeting with Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick

On 6 February, my Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and I attended a meeting with AC Dick for an update on Counter Terrorism.

Water Cannon

I met with the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee to discuss the MPS’s proposals to purchase water cannon.

Following the riots in August 2011, the MPS reviewed their response to serious public order events and concluded that there was a ‘small, limited role’ for water cannon in dealing with the most serious disorder on a rarely used and rarely seen basis. I am keen to hear Londoners’ views and have launched a six week public consultation which will close on 28 February 2014.

Transforming Rehabilitation

On 3 February, my Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, opened the Transforming Rehabilitation Market Engagement Events for London, together with Jules Pipe, Chair of London Councils. This is one of five events, which are co-hosted by MOPAC, Ministry of Justice and London Councils and involves those organisations bidding to deliver probation services in London. The purpose is to give these bidders an introduction to London and its strategic partners, to understand the local landscape for managing offenders and diversity of London and to highlight the opportunities and challenges.

This is a really important step to ensure we get the best deal for London and to ultimately boost confidence within the criminal justice system.

Gangs Panel Roundtable

On 6 February, City Hall hosted the inaugural LCRB Gangs Panel. My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, co-chaired alongside my Senior Advisor for Mentoring, Ray Lewis. The Gangs Panel has been created to promote and deliver integrated and innovative solutions, policies and programmes to deliver improvements in tackling and preventing gangs and serious youth violence.

Bromley visit

On 11 February, I joined the Bromley Youth Offending Team and Orpington's Hillside Primary School to see first-hand the work they are doing to reduce youth offending and anti-social behaviour through the Community Safety Mentoring Scheme.

In 2012/13, MOPAC provided funds to the London Borough of Bromley to provide one to one mentoring to young people at risk of criminal or anti-social behaviour. The mentoring scheme aims to reduce first entrants to the criminal system, reduce numbers of young people on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and improve engagement in education, training and employment.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Following my launch of the refreshed Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, a number of events have taken place:

 On 30 January, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime visited the head offices of Refuge to find out more about the services that they offer to victims of gender-based violence and how they measure the positive impact of these services. Refuge is the biggest provider of support to women experiencing violence particularly domestic violence.

 On 31 January, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh attended a roundtable event on women’s offending at HMP Holloway. The meeting was convened by the Prison Reform Trust to help inform the development of a London-wide plan to reduce women’s offending and imprisonment. He had the opportunity to talk with women prisoners and key strategic leads about potential ways forward.

 On the 3 February, MOPAC hosted an event at City Hall in collaboration with the MPS Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command (SCO2/05) to launch the new Child Sexual Exploitation protocol. The event convened key strategic and operational leads from all London boroughs and was an opportunity to promote the work the MPS and key voluntary and statutory sector partners are doing to tackle child sexual exploitation. The protocol produced by the MPS and endorsed by key partners such as the London Safeguarding Children Board sets out the procedures for safeguarding and protecting children from child sexual exploitation in London.

Transport

Thank you to customers and staff as talks on Tube modernisation resume

Despite the industrial action up to 75 per cent of stations remained open, with around 35 to 40 per cent of services operating. Up to 45 per cent of regular Tube users still made their journeys on the Underground.

Good services operated across the bus network, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, London Tramlink and London Underground's Northern line. Extra bus services were provided, alongside enhanced river and coach services and marshalled taxi ranks at key London national rail termini. Barclays Cycle Hire saw daily journeys up by 50 per cent compared to normal levels.

Around 1,000 Travel Ambassadors worked more than 2,000 shifts at bus, Tube and rail stations to help Londoners plan their journeys and distributed walking maps and other information.

Suspension of RMT and TSSA Tube strikes for 11-13 February

On 11 February, talks at ACAS with the RMT and TSSA unions led to the suspension of the Tube strike planned for 11-13 February.

The agreement secured at ACAS will see LU and trade unions enter a two month period of intensive discussion on LU’s proposals and an agreement to suspend the industrial action during the discussion period.

All new London taxis will need to be zero emission capable from 2018

Plans have been announced that would require all new taxis presented for licensing in the capital to be zero emission capable from 1 January 2018 with the expectation that they will automatically operate in zero emission mode whilst in areas where the capital’s air quality poor.

The plans were confirmed at TfL’s ‘New Taxis for London’ event, where five manufacturers who are developing zero emission capable taxis – Frazer-Nash, Nissan, Karsan, London Taxi Company and Mercedes. Several of these displayed designs and showcased the kind of vehicles that will secure the future of the iconic London taxi which is rightly famous around the world.

Following a pledge I made last year to introduce an Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London by 2020, TfL has been exploring ways to introduce the scheme in 2020 and has been focussing on the development of options.

Lorries without cycle safety equipment to be banned from London

On 30 January, the London boroughs and I announced that lorries without safety equipment to protect cyclists and pedestrians will be banned from London.

The move – a hardening of the previously-announced policy - uses a combination of powers held by TfL and London Councils, the umbrella body for the London boroughs, to reach a simpler, quicker and more complete solution than either body could achieve on its own.

TfL now proposes to make a Traffic Regulation Order to ban HGVs without cyclist safety equipment on its own roads, the busiest main roads which carry about 45 per cent of all HGV traffic in London. London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (TEC), on which all 32 boroughs, the Corporation of London and TfL sit, proposes at its March meeting to start the process of making a pan-London Traffic Regulation Order for borough roads. Subject to a formal consultation and legal procedures, the process could be completed by the end of the year.

The proposed ban will require every vehicle in London over 3.5 tonnes – a disproportionate cause of cyclist and pedestrian deaths - to be fitted with sideguards to protect cyclists from being dragged under the wheels. It will also require them to be fitted with mirrors giving the driver a better view of cyclists and pedestrians around their vehicles. It will be enforced by CCTV cameras and on-street checks, subject to approval by the Department for Transport.

Lobbying the EU for safer lorries

On 29 January, my Cycling Commissioner, Andrew Gilligan joined the Mayors of Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Madrid, leaders of 130 other European cities, haulage industry associations, transport unions, accident victims, safety campaigners and Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman in Brussels to press for much tighter EU rules on lorry safety.

London has been working to amend an EU directive to require new lorries to have safer cabs, improving drivers’ sightlines and reducing dangerous blindspots.

UK’s first low level signals for cyclists installed at Bow Roundabout

The first low level traffic signals specifically designed to help cyclists in the UK have been installed in London, following extensive safety trials by TfL.

The installation of these innovative signals forms part of my Vision for Cycling in London, the £913m plan to transform cycling in the capital.

Low level cycle signals have been common place in certain parts of Europe for many years, but have never been approved for use in the UK. During off-street trials, which were carried out in partnership with the DfT last year, more than 80 per cent of cyclists favoured the use of low- level signals, which repeat the signal displayed on main traffic lights at the eye level of cyclists. The lights have now been installed onto the early-start traffic signals at Bow roundabout.

TfL has also written to the DfT for permission to trial low level cycle signals at a number of other locations across London, and also begun work to see where else they could be installed in the future, subject to the on-street trials being successful.

Launching the ‘Year of the Bus’ to celebrate vital part of London’s transport network

I was pleased to announce that this year will see a host of events and activities to mark the vital contribution London’s bus network continues to make to the life and economy of the city.

Throughout this year, TfL, working in partnership with London Transport Museum, will host a number of engaging events, exhibitions, recreations and other activities.

Major retailers to bring 'click and collect' revolution to London Underground

Picking up shopping on the move is set to become simple for thousands of London Underground customers as TfL announced that it had entered into partnership working with several major companies including Tesco, Waitrose and automated parcel Locker Company InPost. These companies are all set to establish 'click and collect' facilities at stations, transforming the services on offer to customers as they move around the transport network.

TfL has been developing click and collect services at London Underground station car parks since November of last year, with a six month trial with Asda Grocery Click and Collect services at six station car parks. The trial has been successful and TfL is in discussions with Asda to expand the service.

Click and collect enables customers to place orders online, which they then pick up from stations or station car parks on their way home.

London Overground scores high for passenger satisfaction

TfL’s London Overground service has come out well ahead of the regional and national average for levels of passenger satisfaction in a survey conducted during the autumn.

London Overground, which will take over some rail services to Liverpool Street next year, was given an 89 per cent overall satisfaction rating by passengers in the survey conducted by independent rail watchdog, Passenger Focus. This compares with 82 per cent for all operators in London and the South East and 83 per cent across the national network.

London Overground is one of the most reliable and popular railways in the UK thanks to the huge investment we have made in response to what passengers want.

Less than five years after works began on Crossrail, Europe’s largest infrastructure project reached the halfway point of its construction

I was joined by Prime Minister David Cameron and Transport Minister Stephen Hammond to mark the halfway point by visiting the £14.8 billion project, 25 metres below ground at Crossrail’s Tottenham Court Road site. The station will be a key interchange with London Underground when trains run through central London from 2018.

We were joined by apprentices and commuters who will benefit from the new east-west railway, along with Crossrail Chairman Terry Morgan CBE, Crossrail Chief Executive Andrew Wolstenholme OBE and Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy CBE.

The economic benefits from Crossrail are being spread across the country. It is estimated that Crossrail will generate at least 75,000 business opportunities and support the equivalent of 55,000 full time jobs around the UK. Three out of five businesses currently winning work on the project are based outside London and over half (58%) are small and medium sized enterprises. In addition to Crossrail, 61,000 jobs are being created around the country annually through TfL's investment programme.

The seven 1,000 tonne tunnelling machines have bored over 30 km of new 6.2m diameter tunnels under London with an eighth machine due to launch in February 2014. Construction is also advancing on the ten new Crossrail stations and on works above ground west of Paddington and east of Stratford. 10,000 people are currently working on Crossrail, including over 280 apprentices, with the project at peak construction.

Crossrail rolling stock and depot contract awarded to Bombardier

On 6 February, Transport for London and the Department for Transport jointly announced the intention to award a contract to deliver rolling stock and a new depot for Crossrail with a capital value of around £1bn to Bombardier

The contract between TfL and Bombardier covers the supply, delivery and maintenance of 65 new trains and a depot at Old Oak Common. The contract award is subject to a 10 day standstill period.

Bombardier has confirmed that the new trains will be manufactured and assembled at their plant in Derby. This contract will support 760 UK manufacturing jobs plus 80 apprenticeships. An estimated 74 per cent of contract spend will remain in the UK economy.

The construction of the maintenance depot at Old Oak Common will see 244 jobs and 16 apprenticeships created. When fully operational the depot will support 80 jobs to maintain the new fleet of trains.

Emirates Air Line trial reduced fares for Greenwich and Newham residents

Transport for London has announced that residents from the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Newham will receive a reduced travel rate on the Emirates Air Line - the UK’s first urban cable car which spans the River Thames and connects the two boroughs.

In order to receive the discount, residents will be asked to produce proof of residence in the form of a letter or document, such as a council tax bill, dated in the last three months. Greenwich residents may also receive the discount on production of a valid Greenwich Card. The offer will be available for an initial trial period from 14 February until 31 December, excluding the Easter holiday (7 April to 21 April) and the months of July and August.

More than 170 drivers arrested as part of illegal cab touting crackdown

Figures released by TfL showed that over 170 arrests have been made for cab related offences during two crackdowns as part of Operation Safer Travel at Night, a joint initiative by the TfL funded Metropolitan Police Service’s Safer Transport Command (STC) and City of London Police (CoLP) to reduce cab-related sexual offences.

The arrests were the result of continued targeted enforcement against un-booked minicabs (also known as touts or illegal cabs) and other cab-related offences across the capital

In conjunction with Safer Travel at Night’s two main periods of activity - during the new academic year in September and over the festive period in December - officers from the STC, CoLP and TfL's Taxi and Private Hire compliance teams stepped up activity to help raise awareness of the dangers of using un-booked minicabs. In addition, over 5,000 taxi and private hire vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked. TfL’s face to face teams engaged with over 77,000 students during September, which included a presence at 24 university freshers’ fayres across London.

TfL’s Cabwise app saw download figures double to 53,000 during the festive period -with total downloads now standing at 92,000 since its launch in 2012. Face to face teams also visited around 50 bars, pubs and clubs in hotspot locations, engaging with over 55,000 people and handing out 138,000 ‘Z cards’ – information leaflets on how to get home safely.

London buses to go cashless from mid-2014

TfL has announced that it is to stop accepting cash fares on London buses from summer this year.

Cash fares make up only one per cent of bus journeys – down from around 25 per cent a decade ago. Since launching on the bus network in December 2012, over 8 million journeys have now been made using a contactless payment card. With the acceptance of contactless payment cards to be extended to London Underground and London Rail services from later this year, the use of cash is expected to continue to fall.

A recent public consultation, which sought customers’ views on proposals to withdraw cash fare payments, attracted over 37,000 responses. Around a third of respondents agreed with

the proposal to remove cash fares. Around three quarters of responses to the consultation came from people who indicated that they do not themselves pay cash fares on the bus.

All of the views expressed in consultation responses have been taken into account and have been used to shape a range of measures that will ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.

These measures include:  Introducing a new ‘one more journey’ feature on Oyster that will allow passengers with less than the single bus fare (currently £1.45) but who have a positive balance on their card to make one more bus journey before they have to add credit to their card;  A review of the Oyster Ticket Stop network to see if additional locations can be identified, particularly in outer London;  Refreshed guidance for all 24,500 London bus drivers to ensure a consistent approach is taken when dealing with vulnerable passengers; and  A public information campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of contactless payment cards and Oyster pay as you go, which offer a single bus fare for 95p less than the current cash fare.

This change will not affect 99 per cent of bus passengers who already pay for their journeys using Oyster, prepaid tickets, contactless payment cards or concessionary tickets. Our research shows this change is also unlikely to affect tourists as the vast majority use a prepaid ticket, such as Oyster, to get around the capital.

Passengers will still be able to top up their Oyster cards online and purchase tickets with cash at ticket machines in stations and at around 4000 Oyster Ticket Stops across London.

Paying with Oyster or a contactless payment card is not only the cheapest option, but also speeds up boarding times at bus stops and reduces delays. It costs £24 million a year to accept cash on London’s buses and by removing this option TfL will generate significant savings which, like all of its income, will be reinvested in improvements to the transport network.

DLR welcomes cyclists aboard following successful trial

TfL has announced that, following a successful trial, non-folding bicycles are now permitted on off-peak DLR trains on a permanent basis. More than 5,000 cyclists travelled with their bikes on the DLR during a successful trial period that started in July 2013.

The bike trial on the DLR was part my Vision for Cycling in London, the £913m plan to transform the Capital into a city where cycling is a key part of everyday life.

TfL teams up with local businesses to increase cycling in the capital

To help increase cycling is the capital TfL has been working with local businesses to encourage their employees to cycle more through the TfL Cycling Workplaces scheme.

Employers are being encouraged to become more bike-friendly by taking advantage of the free TfL cycling support available. TfL is offering employers with more than five members of staff a range of free cycle safety initiatives and on site cycle parking. The cycle parking will contribute towards my target to install 80,000 additional cycle spaces by 2016.

TfL to simplify subsidised transport options for mobility impaired Londoners

TfL has launched a public consultation on proposals to withdraw the Capital Call subsidised minicab service, which currently duplicates the more popular Taxicard scheme.

There are currently two subsidised door-to-door transport services for Londoners who are unable to use public transport due to a mobility impairment; Taxicard – which is operated by taxis (black cabs) and minicabs (private hire vehicles) and Capital Call – which is operated by minicabs. In addition, TfL operates Dial-a-Ride, a free door-to-door multi-passenger bus service.

Crossrail Business Rates Supplement – Approval of Policies for 2014-15

I have approved the following policies for the Crossrail BRS for the 2014–15 financial year:

 The Crossrail BRS will apply for the full 2014-15 financial year across the entire GLA area;  The Crossrail BRS multiplier (or tax rate) shall be set at 2p per pound of rateable value in the 2014-15 financial year and the rateable value threshold above which the Crossrail BRS shall apply will be set at £55,000;  Any reliefs for the Crossrail BRS will continue to apply on the same basis at the same percentage rate as for National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR) having regard to the local policies in place in the 33 London billing authorities and those set by central government. Section 45 ratepayers (that is, those owning or entitled to occupy empty properties) will not be exempt from the Crossrail BRS as a class. The same automatic empty property reliefs will apply, however, at the same percentage rate to the Crossrail BRS as for NNDR; and  The GLA will not exercise its powers under section 16 of the BRS Act to apply an offset for eligible ratepayers liable to pay a levy towards a Business Improvement District.

I have also authorised the Executive Director, Resources to issue a notification of the above policies to the 33 London billing authorities as required by section 18 of the BRS Act and an explanatory note for non domestic ratepayers for 2014-15.

The proposed policies are identical to those applying to the Crossrail BRS in the 2013-14 financial year as no material factors have emerged which would require amendments. The Crossrail BRS is projected to raise £223 million in 2014-15.

Regeneration, Enterprise and the Economy

The World Economic Forum – Davos

On 22 January, I spoke at the Morgan Stanley Dinner.

On 23 January, I spoke on the main platform of the World Economic Forum during the Industry Partners Session ‘Future of Urban Development: Mayors Guide to New Models for City

Problem-Solving’, chaired by Philip Dilley, Chairman of Arup and also attended by the Mayors of Mexico City, Johannesburg, Atlanta, Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Calgary.

I met with: Professor Sir Leszek Broysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University; Joe Kaeser, President & CEO of Siemens; Martin Roth, Director of the Victoria & Albert Museum; Drew Gilpin Faust, President of Harvard University; and Jeremy Bennett, CEO-Designate of Nomura. I also spoke at the Coca Cola reception, hosted by Muhtar Kent, CEO of Coca Cola.

On 24 January, I met with: Pierre Godé, Vice-Chairman of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy; Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global; Chris Nassetta, CEO of Hilton Worldwide, and James Cuno, President and CEO of the Getty Trust.

In all my engagements, I impressed on potential investors and business leaders the huge opportunities London has to offer as the best city to live, work and do business in.

Outer London Fund and Regeneration Fund

The delivery of my Outer London Fund and Regeneration Fund projects continue to progress in town centres and on high streets around the capital. Works are underway and schemes on site in 28 places.

My officers are working with London boroughs, local residents, Business Improvement Districts and traders’ associations to promote the areas supported as destinations for business and growth and as the vibrant centres of community life.

Outer London Fund – Blackhorse Lane and Workshop

In January, upgrades to Blackhorse Lane’s shop and industrial frontages started on site. The works will improve the overall image of the high street and create a more welcoming interface with Blackhorse Lane’s industrial estates. The project forms a part of my £1.1m Outer London Fund investment, aimed at bringing new vitality to existing businesses, improving the high street environment and strengthening links to local open space.

On 22 January, my Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise, Kit Malthouse cut the ribbon of the new Blackhorse Workshop. The project forms part of my Outer London Fund investment in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow. It is a public workshop, with woodwork and metalwork facilities; a programme of learning opportunities and events; and on-hand technical support. In addition, the building provides affordable workspace for local businesses and start-ups as well as a café and hire space, facilitating social and networking opportunities. The project has been match funded by LB Waltham Forest and Create London and will be managed and run by a not-for-profit, independent body.

In an area with a rich heritage in making and manufacturing, the project allows a new generation access to skills and education in the field. Blackhorse Workshop kicked off with a series of fully-subscribed sign-making workshops, and the next series of public workshops are already fully booked.

Outer London Fund – North East Enfield

Construction started on the upgrades to the Enfield Business Centre (EBC) in Enfield Highway at the end of January. The project is allocated £445k in total from my Outer London Fund grant to LB Enfield.

The project will reconfigure the existing space to create a large foyer area by extending out onto the forecourt. The foyer will host a full time reception and café facilities. There will be two sub-dividable bookable meeting rooms, and bookable co-working space, which can be rearranged for evening talks. The work is due to finish by April 2014.

Supporting London’s SMEs

On 6 February, I visited a pioneering south London small business on the verge of a global expansion that specialises in a product more often found on the beach than on the streets of the capital. Gandys flip-flops was founded two years ago in a small flat in Brixton but today its product is stocked in 400 stores in the UK and its owners plan to export their fashion forward footwear around the world.

This year Gandys flip-flops will be exported to 30 countries including USA, Spain, Brazil and Australia. I want more companies to be able to follow Gandys’ example and I am supporting a two-year programme with UK Trade and Investment that aims to increase the number of small businesses trading overseas.

Gandys is a unique charity footwear brand founded by two young entrepreneurs, Paul and Rob Forkan, who were orphaned by the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 aged just 15 and 17. They donate 10 per cent of the profits from every sale of a pair of their flip-flops to fund children’s homes across the world in honour of their parents. The company already employs a team of 10 young Londoners and plans to triple its workforce in the next two years.

By the end of 2014, Gandys are on target to have sold 230,000 pairs of flip flops, which will make it possible to mark the 10th anniversary of the Tsunami by opening the first Gandys children’s home in the memory of their parents.

GLA Food Economy Programme 2013-14

I have approved expenditure of £370,000 towards the remaining projects of the Food Programme for 2013/14 (of which £330,000 net GLA).

I have agreed the GLA’s entry into:

 A partnership agreement with Garden Organic for its “Food Growing in Schools London” project and a funding agreement for the GLA’s contribution of up to £30,000 this financial year. £30,000 for the next financial year for that project will be subject to separate approval in GLA budgetary prioritisation rounds; and  A grant agreement with a break clause with the Plunkett Foundation for a two-year programme including £120,000 this financial year and £220,095 next financial year to deliver the Urban Food Routes Project. Next year’s expenditure will be subject to separate approval in GLA budgetary prioritisation rounds.

I have also approved receipt of £40,000 from Mars UK in the current financial year and £80,000 in the next financial year.

Acquisition of the Pharmaceutical Site and Investment to Create a Business East Science and Tech Park – Procurement of Specialist Advice

I have approved the procurement, award and entry into and execution of (by the Executive Director of Resources on behalf of the GLA) contract(s) for specialist science and technology advisory services required for the formulation of the strategy for a science and tech park and to assist in the negotiation with the existing landowner and potential end occupiers - at an estimated budget cost of no more than £100k, from the revenue allocation of the Growing Places Fund.

Housing

Plans to build homes at Mount Pleasant

On 21 January, I agreed to step in and speed up a planning application that could lead to the construction of almost 700 much-needed homes on the site of the iconic Mount Pleasant postal sorting office.

Royal Mail Group want to build 683 homes as well as shops, offices, restaurants and public space on half of the site in Farringdon. If given the go-ahead, the scheme would transform the area surrounding Farringdon Road and Phoenix Place. The site straddles the London boroughs of Islington and Camden but with on-going disagreement over some aspects of the scheme it appears unlikely that the boroughs will be in a position to determine the two applications in the near future. As a result, I have agreed to take on the role of planning authority for the scheme.

Environment

Londoners invited to help create local pocket parks

On 17 January, I called on volunteers and community groups to apply for grants of up to £20,000 each to help transform more of London’s unloved spaces into ‘Pocket Parks’ – tennis court sized green retreats for local neighbourhoods to enjoy.

The £500,000 community grant fund is part of a £2m investment from the GLA for 100 ‘Pocket Parks’ to be created across London by March 2015. From sensory gardens and treehouses to edible bus stops and rooftop orchards, around 60 projects are already underway, 11 of which are led by community groups.

Among the community-led ‘pocket parks’ already underway is a previously unused space on Yorkshire Grove housing estate in Hackney. There, thanks to a group of 20 volunteers and £9,800 from the GLA this patch of green has been planted with 1,000 bulbs and a new ping pong table installed, with more gardening to follow. Another is springing up in Haringey thanks to £16,500 from the GLA which is helping to transform a dilapidated children’s play area into a sensory garden, treehouse, and mud play area due to complete next month.

Capital Clean-up 2014

On 30 January, I called on Londoners young and old to roll up their sleeves and join this year’s Capital Clean-up. £40,000 worth of grants and tool kits are available to enable local groups to

tidy and brighten up their parks, streets, estates, residential areas and waterways.

Anyone from community groups to charities, youth groups to small businesses can now apply for grants of between £500 and £1,500, or a special clean-up kit, to bring volunteers together and create cleaner, greener, and safer local environments.

Now in its seventh year, my Capital Clean-up campaign has already helped thousands of Londoners to get together and smarten up their neighbourhood. This year’s campaign, in partnership with McDonald’s, is expected to support around 200 events, more than ever before.

Last year almost 3,000 volunteers helped smarten up their area in 102 events across 30 London boroughs covering an area the size of 21 Wembley Stadiums. They collected more than 2,500 bags of rubbish, removed 91 tonnes of fly tipping, and planted 450 trees.

Social Inclusion and Health

Visit to Sutton & East Surrey Water site

On 11 February, I visited the Sutton & East Surrey Water site in Kenley, Croydon. I met with key stakeholders including the MPS, London Fire Brigade (LFB), Public Health England and the Leader of Croydon to view their first class response to the major incident in Kenley where the water works have been flooded since the early hours of Friday 7 February. The team at Sutton & East Surrey Water and the LFB have been pumping out water around the clock, ensuring there are no issues with the local fresh water supply.

I hailed the extraordinary operation and agreed to look into what we can do to help local businesses affected by road closures.

Know Your Rights Campaign

An estimated 180,000 pensioners in London are missing out on an average £21 a week, or £1,092 a year in Pension Credit and around 42,000 full-time carers are also missing out on additional financial help.

The press campaign encourages pensioners and carers to call Age UK’s free advice line or contact their local Citizens Advice, or carers centre. Age UK London will be running several awareness-raising events across London over the next few months.

Launch of report on costs of mental ill health

On 22 January, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, launched my report, London Mental Health: The invisible costs of mental ill health which seeks to quantify the scope and scale of mental health in London and its economic and social costs, which amount to around £26 billion. The launch event brought together over 100 stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines and sectors, demonstrating that that mental ill health is not only an issue for health and social care services, it is an issue for us all.

Visit to Well London programme in Tower Hamlets

Well London is a GLA initiative funded by the BIG Lottery that improves health and well-being in some of London’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. On 30 January, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, visited the Aberfeldy Estate in Tower Hamlets to find out more about their Well London programme which is supported by Tower Hamlets Council and co-ordinated by Poplar HARCA housing association. Well London volunteers and apprentices talked to the Deputy Mayor about the projects they have developed to promote health and well-being on the estate.

Visit to Enfield school – Healthy Schools London

On 12 February, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, visited Worcesters Primary School in the London Borough of Enfield to hand out Healthy Schools London programme bronze awards to this and other local schools to celebrate their achievements in supporting pupils’ health and wellbeing.

London Health Commission

I am delighted to report that Lord Darzi’s London Health Commission is making good progress. The Commission hosted four evidence hearing sessions on 20 and 27 January where Lord Darzi and a panel of Commissioners heard evidence from forty-five leading experts from London, the UK and further afield. These included Dr Onkar Sahota in his role as a clinician based in west London.

Over 100 submissions have been received in response to the Commission’s ‘call for evidence’ which closed on 10 February. The Commission met for the second time on 3 February and the next phase of the work will be a major public engagement campaign.

Barnet and Camden community reception

On 20 January, I held my first community reception of 2014 at City Hall. The event brought together Londoners living and working in Barnet and Camden including representatives from local businesses, public bodies, voluntary organisations and faith groups, as well as cultural organisations, schools, and other community groups.

175th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Westminster

On 30 January, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended on my behalf a 175th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Westminster at Westminster Abbey.

‘Securing London’s Success’ Roundtable

On 31 January, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, participated in the ‘Securing London’s Success’ Roundtable hosted by the Centre for London in Holborn. The Deputy Mayor was a member of the guest panel.

Education and Youth

Visit to Sarah Bonnell School

I visited Sarah Bonnell School in Stratford on 27 January where I met with the President of the Qatar Foundation, the Director of the British Council – Qatar, and the Headteacher to discuss the teaching of languages. I also attended an Arabic lesson and helped to teach the students.

The visit was part of my partnership with the British Council and Qatar Foundation on a pilot project to promote the learning of Arabic language and culture in UK schools and build capacity for the teaching of the language.

Launch of Christ the King College project

On 28 January, I attended and spoke at the launch event of one of my London Schools Excellence Fund projects at City Hall. The event was attended by over 50 headteachers and representatives from a range of state and independent schools.

Led by Christ the King Sixth Form College, in Lewisham, this project seeks to improve the most academically able pupils’ GCSE and A Level grades, as well as improve their progression into the most research-intensive universities.

Central to the project is facilitating teachers in state schools and colleges to learn alongside their independent schools peers and to improve their subject knowledge. A London Brokerage Service is being developed to connect schools, ideas and services across state and independent sectors.

Olympic and Paralympic Legacy and Sport

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park springs into action

On 15 January, I announced that from 5 April 2014 visitors will be able to explore more of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as the newly landscaped south of the Park opens to the public for the first time since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Visitors will be able to enjoy beautiful parklands, fountains and waterways, world-class sporting venues, arts and events and children’s play areas. The Park will also feature four walking trails. Visitors to the Park can experience breathtaking views from the ArcelorMittal Orbit – the UK’s tallest sculpture offering a totally new perspective of London. The 114.5m high attraction will give visitors views over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and 20 miles across London from two spacious viewing galleries.

From 1 March, the iconic Aquatics Centre will open its doors for the first time since the Games, hosting a series of events, galas and public swimming and diving sessions. The Aquatics Centre has two 50m pools, a diving pool and a newly installed gym. In April it will host the 2014 FINA/NVC Diving World Series and in 2016 the European Swimming Championships.

First new neighbourhood to be built on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park given the go- ahead

On 28 January, developers were granted planning permission to begin building the first new homes at Chobham Manor, an exciting new district for Stratford, east London, and the first new neighbourhood to be built on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The London Legacy Development Corporation and Chobham Manor LLP – a joint venture between Taylor Wimpey and London & Quadrant – had the development’s Reserved Matters Planning Application containing details of the first phase of 259 homes approved. The neighbourhood will be located in the north of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park between East Village and Lee Valley VeloPark and will contain 828 homes in total. Work will start very shortly on the first phase of the vibrant new neighbourhood which will also feature tree-lined avenues, state-of-the-art architecture and relaxing green landscaped areas.

Chobham Manor has been designed for a wide-range of Londoners who want to build their lives in an exciting new community. Seventy-five per cent (194) of the 259 homes will be family homes with three or more bedrooms. Twenty-eight per cent of homes across the whole Chobham Manor development will be affordable homes, including social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing.

Sport Relief

This year’s Sport Relief gives sports lovers of all abilities a chance to take part in sporting events on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games. The Mile, the Swimathon and the Cycle all take place on the Park on 23 March. On 21 March, Sport Relief will be broadcasting live from three venues on the Park: Lee Valley VeloPark, the Aquatics Centre and Copper Box Arena.

Culture and Events

Fourth Plinth winning artists announced

On 7 February, Munira Mirza, my Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture announced Hans Haacke and David Shrigley as the winning artists of the next two commissions for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. These two very different sculptures are each wryly enigmatic in their own way and will continue to surprise visitors and Londoners alike, providing a contrast to their historic surroundings in Trafalgar Square. They will be the tenth and eleventh to appear since the GLA took over the commissioning programme and will be unveiled in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Hugh Pearman of the Sunday Times recently described the Fourth Plinth as "the smallest but most prominent sculpture park in the world".

Chinese New Year celebrations

On 2 February, I supported the annual Chinese New Year celebrations, which attracted many thousands of people into central London, on a particularly sunny and pleasant day. The occasion, to mark the ‘Year of the Horse’, started with a parade along Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue and was followed with an afternoon of lively entertainment in Trafalgar Square and around Chinatown. Chinese New Year is now one of London’s most popular festivals, it is a great burst of vitality and colour in our city at the start of the year, and a

welcome boost to the local economy. My Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, took part in the opening ceremony on Trafalgar Square, along with other distinguished guests.

Big Dance Pledge will create a wave of dancing around the globe

On 14 January, the Big Dance Pledge 2014 was launched. An online resource will get people learning, making and performing their dance alongside the rest of the world. This special 5th edition has been created by Scottish Ballet with fun and celebration at its heart. It is part of the Cultural Programme of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. People of all ages will perform their dance on 16 May 2014 as part of a wave of dancing across the globe. The Big Dance Pledge is delivered worldwide through a partnership with the British Council Schools Online programme.

Jeremy Deller to judge this year's Fourth Plinth Schools Awards

On 7 February, I announced that award winning artist Jeremy Deller will be this year's judge of my Fourth Plinth Schools Awards. Jeremy Deller is a member of the Fourth Plinth commissioning group and an internationally recognised artist whose life-sized inflatable replica of Stonehenge has now been bounced on by 250,000 people around the globe. The Schools Awards encourage 5-15 year-olds from every London borough to create their own artwork for the Fourth Plinth. The winning artworks will be exhibited at City Hall in May.

Another world beating year of events for London

On 27 January, the eve of London's renowned and hugely popular Chinese New Year celebrations, I announced that 2014 will be another world-beating year for major events in the capital.

London is known as the top choice for an unrivalled range of festivals, international sporting events, and high profile cultural and creative showcases, which bring hundreds of thousands of spectators to world-renowned venues and iconic locations. These and a wide variety of international business and trade events also underpin London's global reputation as a dynamic and attractive place to invest, helping to bring in billions to the city's economy.

Events large and small have helped to boost London tourism, which contributes £36 billion to the capital's GDP, supporting 700,000 jobs. The city is now on course to welcome over 16 million overseas visitors in one year, according to the International Passenger Survey.

One-off and special events in 2014 include the return of the Tour de France and the final leg of the Clipper Round the World Race (both July). Other newer events include my second Prudential RideLondon cycling event (9-10 August) and the ITU World Series Triathlon (31 May, 1 June), with more established ones including: the Virgin Money London Marathon (13 April); the Pride in London Parade and Festival (28 June); Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (20-28 June); Notting Hill Carnival (24-25 August); my Thames Festival (throughout September); NFL International Series (three dates); and my New Year's Eve fireworks display. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also set to fully open on 5 April and will be hosting a variety of sporting and cultural events throughout the year.

Royal Gun Salute

On 6 February, my Deputy Mayor, Victoria Borwick, attended the Royal Gun Salute in Hyde Park to mark the anniversary of the accession of HM The Queen. The Deputy Mayor then went onto attend a Luncheon in the Officers’ Mess at Wellington Barracks.

Volunteering

2014: The Year of Volunteering

On 18 January, I launched the Telegraph’s ‘lend a hand’ campaign, promoting the Year of Volunteering in 2014, by guest editing their weekend edition. This was packed full of stories of inspirational volunteers from across the country including some of our Team London Award winners, Camilla Yahaya and Julie and Len Pilfold.

Team London Young Ambassadors

My schools’ volunteering programme, which launched in September, has now achieved its 2014 target of engaging with 400 schools. I am delighted with the success of the programme to date and the thousands of young people who are now inspired and engaged in social action projects all across the London boroughs. Projects range from creating green spaces in Camden to supporting food poverty in Redbridge to supporting people affected by gang violence in Ealing.

GLA Organisation

Audit Reports

I have noted the contents of the seven internal audit reports presented to the meeting of the London Assembly’s Audit Panel on 17 December.

I have noted that the Audit Panel Members had some further queries regarding one of those reports and that there will be further consideration of that topic at the next meeting of the Audit Panel in March 2014.

Marketing Supplier Services

I have approved the variation of the framework contract with MEC media planning and buying services for the duration of the contract extension period, 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014, up to a maximum value of £1,000,000.

Facilities Management Contracts Strategy

I have approved the long term strategy for the procurement of outsourced Facilities Management services and supplies.

I have approved the extensions of certain existing facilities management contracts and the procurement and award of new contracts in line with the strategy.

I have approved an exemption from paragraph 3.6 of the GLA Contracts & Funding Code to allow single source procurement in respect of the catering services and pest control contract extension.

Planning and Development Control

Further Alterations to the London Plan

On 15 January, I announced plans to deliver tens of thousands of new homes and jobs in the capital through the creation of new opportunity areas.

I want to create four new opportunity areas in the London boroughs of Southwark, Bromley and Harrow to help boost regeneration and potentially deliver 11,100 new homes and 8,000 new jobs.

The proposals are part of a package of changes to the 2011 London Plan, the document that sets out the future development of the city. Known as the Further Alterations to the London Plan, the aim is to update the document in line with my 2020 Vision for the capital and address the key issues arising from an unprecedented population boom that will see London become the first city in Europe to be home to ten million people by 2030.

Planning Decisions (Stage II referrals)

Former Contractors Compound Terminal 4 Heathrow, 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.

27-29 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.

181-187 King Street, 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 between Sweets Way and Oakleigh Road North, 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.

Land at South Grove, LB Waltham Forest I have written to the London Borough of Waltham Forest stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

111 Upper Richmond Road, LB Wandsworth I have written to the London Borough of Wandsworth stating that I am content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

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

Queens Wharf and Riverside Studios, 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.

Former News International Site, 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.

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

Land Bounded by Leicester Square, Panton Street, Whitcombe Street, Orange Street and St Martin’s 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.

Hogarth Business Park, 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.

Mount Pleasant Sorting Office, LB Islington I have written to the London Borough of Islington stating that I will act as the local planning authority for the purposes of determining the planning application.

Mount Pleasant Sorting Office, LB Camden I have written to the London Borough of Camden stating that I will act as the local planning authority for the purposes of determining the planning application.

Land at Five Oaks Lane, LB Redbridge I have written to the London Borough of Redbridge stating that I will not act as the local planning authority for the purposes of determining the planning application.

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

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

St Luke’s Woodside Hospital, LB Haringey The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Haringey stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Mandora Site, LB Waltham Forest The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Waltham Forest stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

Ladderswood Estate, LB Enfield

The Deputy Mayor has written to the London Borough of Enfield stating that he is content to allow the Council to determine the application itself.

122-130 Edgware Road, 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.

Planning Decisions (Stage I referrals)

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

 Swan Court, White Lion Court and 5 Swan Street, LB Hounslow  Ergon House Horseferry Road and 9 Millbank, City of Westminster  North Westminster Community School, City of Westminster  Sceptre Court 40 Tower Hill, LB Tower Hamlets  Southbank Centre, LB Lambeth  Brent Cross Cricklewood Regeneration Area, LB Barnet  Land north of Westfield Shopping Centre, LB Hammersmith and Fulham  Woodberry Down Regeneration Area, LB Hackney  Empress State Building, LB Hammersmith and Fulham  Harefield Grove, LB Hillingdon  79 Camden Road, LB Camden  375 Kensington High Street, RB Kensington and Chelsea  213-215 Warwick Road, RB Kensington and Chelsea  195 Warwick Road, RB Kensington and Chelsea  McGee Yard, LB Brent  Ocean Estate Site H, LB Tower Hamlets  Marine Wharf, LB Lewisham  British Library Newspapers, LB Barnet  Peterley Business Centre, LB Tower Hamlets  Wood Wharf, LB Tower Hamlets  The Warner Stand Lords Cricket Ground, City of Westminster

Development Plans

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

 Lambeth Council Local Development Framework: Lambeth Local Plan Pre-Submission Publication, LB Lambeth

Decisions made under delegation to Assistant Director - Planning

 Colville Estate, LB Hackney  Greenwich Council Local Development Framework: Core Strategy, RB Greenwich

 Merton Council Local Development Framework: Proposed submission of Sites and Policies Plan and Maps – Affordable Housing, LB Merton  Bentley Priory, LB Harrow  Wornington Green Estate, RB Kensington and Chelsea  Marco Polo House, LB Wandsworth  Embassy Gardens, LB Wandsworth  Holcombe House and MIL Building, LB Barnet  Clapham Park Estate, LB Wandsworth  Riverlight (Former Tideway Industrial Estate), LB Wandsworth  Land off River Road, LB Barking and Dagenham  Greenwich Council Local Development Framework: Core Strategy, RB Greenwich  187-199 West End Lane, LB Camden  Lewisham Council Local Development Framework: Publication of Development Policies Local Plan, LB Lewisham  Leamouth Peninsular North, LB Tower Hamlets  Kings College, LB Southwark

Key Engagements

Among my engagements since my last report were the following:

 I visited the Tottenham Court Road Crossrail Site with the Prime Minister and Transport Minister on 16 January to mark the half-way point of the Crossrail construction programme  I attended a photocall on 16 January to promote the ‘New Taxi for London’  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 16 January  I addressed the London Government Dinner at Mansion House on 16 January  I attended the annual GLA Holocaust Memorial Ceremony at City Hall on 20 January  I met with Cllr Sarah Hayward, Leader of LB Camden, on 20 January to discuss borough issues  I met the new GLA apprentices on 20 January  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Sir Bernard Hogan Howe, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, on 20 January  I hosted a community reception for Barnet & Camden on 20 January  I attended a dinner hosted by Lakshmi Mittal on 20 January  I chaired the MOPAC Challenge on 21 January  I met with HRH Prince Harry on 21 January to discuss the Warrior Games  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 21 January  I attended the Bureau of Leaders on 21 January  I attended the World Economic Forum taking place in Davos on 22, 23 and 24 January which comprised of: o I addressed the Morgan Stanley dinner on 22 January o I addressed the World Economic Forum’s Industry Partners Session ‘Future of Urban Development: Mayors Guide to New Models for City Problem-Solving’ on 23 January

o I met with Professor Sir Leszek Broysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University on 23 January o I met with Joe Kaeser, President & CEO of Siemens, on 23 January o I met with Martin Roth, Director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, on 23 January o I met with Drew Gilpin Faust, President of Harvard University, on 23 January o I met with Jeremy Bennett, CEO-Designate of Nomura, on 23 January o I addressed the Coca Cola reception, hosted by Muhtar Kent, CEO of Coca Cola, on 23 January o I met with Pierre Godé, Vice-Chairman of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, on 24 January o I met with Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global, on 24 January o I met with Chris Nassetta, CEO of Hilton Worldwide, on 24 January o I met with James Cuno, President and CEO of the Getty Trust, on 24 January  I addressed the Australia Day Gala Dinner on 25 January  I visited the Sarah Bonnell School in Stratford on 27 January  I met with Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader of LB Hillingdon, on 27 January to discuss borough issues  I met with AC Mark Rowley on 27 January ahead of my appearance before the Police & Crime Committee  I had my regular meeting with Gordon Innes, London & Partners, on 27 January  I hosted a reception at City Hall for foreign ambassadors on 27 January  I met with Sir Peter Hendy, Transport Commissioner, on 28 January ahead of my appearance before the Assembly Budget Question Time  I attended the launch of Christ the King Sixth Form College project funded by my London Schools Excellence Fund on 28 January  I had my regular meeting with Dame Ruth Carnall on 28 January  I met with Duncan Selbie, CEO Public Health England, on 28 January to discuss public health in London  I met with the Rt Hon Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, on 28 January to discuss education in London  I attended the Assembly Budget Question Time on 29 January  I appeared before the Police and Crime Committee on 29 January  I visited the RNLI Photo Exhibition at City Hall on 29 January  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 29 January  I attended the Bartlett 2050 Leadership Programme Launch event at UCL on 29 January  I met with Michael Arthur, UCL, and Martin Roth, V&A, on 29 January to discuss the Olympic Park  I met with Evgeny Lebedev, Evening Standard, on 29 January  I chaired the Crystal Palace Advisory Board on 30 January  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London on 30 January  I attended the Social Mobility Foundation Reception on 30 January  I met with Sir James Dyson on 3 February to discuss innovation in London  I had lunch with Martin Ivens and Anne McElvoy, The Sunday Times, on 3 February  I met with Lord Mervyn Davies, Chairman of the Garden Bridge Trust, on 3 February to discuss the Garden Bridge  I had my regular discussion on policing in London with Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, on 3 February

 I met with Sir Peter Hendy, Transport Commissioner, on 4 February ahead of the Transport for London Board meeting  I hosted my regular monthly Ask Boris Phone in with Nick Ferrari on 4 February  I met with Joanna Shields, Chairman of Tech City, on 4 February to discuss supporting London’s growing tech sector  I had my regular meeting with representatives of the Taxi Trade on 4 February  I chaired the Legacy Advisory Group on 4 February  I met with Mark Boleat, City of London Corporation, on 4 February to discuss borough issues  I attended the London Planning Awards on 4 February  I chaired the Transport for London Board meeting on 5 February  I met with the Chair of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee on 5 February  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 5 February  I met with Damon Buffini on 5 February to discuss entrepreneurship and young people in London  I opened the Gandys’ new offices in Southfields on 6 February  I met with AC Cressida Dick on 6 February to discuss policing and security  I met with representatives working on the PREVENT programme on 6 February  I had my regular meeting with Transport for London and Crossrail on 6 February  I had dinner with Jason Seikin & Chris Evans, The Daily Telegraph, on 6 February  I had my regular meeting with Kate Hoey MP on 10 February  I met with Syed Kamall MEP on 10 February to discuss supporting London in Brussels  I hosted a conference call on the flood alerts affecting Greater London on 10 February  I visited various crime prevention initiatives in Bromley on 11 February  I visited the Kenley Water Treatment Works in Croydon on 11 February  I chaired my regular planning decisions meeting on 12 February

Ends