GMB ( Region) comments

Page: Policy D7 Public realm Section: N/A

GMB COMMENT: We are pleased to see the initiative with Water fountains/ water refilling stations in public places maybe the Mayors Office could work with Google Maps to add the locations of filling stations or water fountains onto Google Maps

Page: Policy D7 Public realm Section: N/A

In Public Realm, GMB are concerned with on street parking and want to deter parking on pavements as this is dangerous for our disabled members Page: Policy E9 Retail, markets and hot food takeaways Section: N/A

GMB COMMENT: We are concerned with the grwing number of fast food outlets by schools (page 260 para 6.9.7) and want some attention to be made to this. Our children need to eat more healthily

Page: Policy HC6 Supporting the night-time economy Section: N/A

GMB supports actions being taken to create a night time economy and urge that transport systems are in place and that the Mayor considers linking this inititive to London Living Wage to ensure that all establishments pay this and those who confirm should be given reductions in business rates

Page: Policy SI2 Minimising greenhouse gas emissions Section: N/A

GMB are looking for creating more jobs in green renewable energy. We are calling for the UK Government to use tax to create union organised Green renewable energy jobs and apprentices for a future economically and environmentally sustainable future for all. Page: Policy SI3 Energy Infrastructure Section: N/A

Urgent action is required to radically transform our energy and transport systems away from fossil fuels and towards clean, renewable alternatives. To achieve this requires a reliable significant change in energy policy and strong efforts from all parts of society for investment in alternatives.

GMB urges that many Local Government Pension Funds have investments in fossil fuel companies. For example Islington Council’s Pension Fund has approximately £48 million invested in fossil fuel companies, including Royal Dutch Shell and BP in their top 4 holdings.

With this investment in fossil fuel extraction, our Local Governments are directly funding climate change and air pollution which is affecting the health of our members and the we serve.

As public bodies, councils have a responsibility to work for the public good and promote public health; they should not be financially and politically supporting the most destructive industries on the planet.

It is noted that fossil fuel investments are becoming increasingly risky; as the world takes action on climate change, fossil fuel assets are at significant risk of becoming stranded. Pension Fund Trustees have a fiduciary duty to protect members’ investments from these risks.

Divesting from fossil fuels also presents an opportunity to re-invest in sectors such as low carbon, renewable clean energy source, low carbon infrastructure improvements and energy efficient social housing, which are consistent with the Council’s aims. Page: Policy SI6 Digital connectivity infrastructure Section: N/A

GMB COMMENT: Networks and infrastructures needed for high speed broadband. The Plan could make use of bluetooth low energy Beacons and some excellent work being done using smartphones to guide vision impaired people in urban areas.