What will be different under Boris?

On a much increased turnout of more than 45% Ken Livingstone's share of first preference votes (36.4%) was slightly higher this year than in 2004; but Boris Johnson was well ahead already with 42.5% of first preferences, and scored 53.2% in the run off.

Boris Johnson has made cutting crime his top priority, and is signalling that by chairing the Metropolitan Police Authority. He also produced lengthy manifestos on business, environment, housing, 'seniors' [older people], transport and accountability. These too emphasised crime and safety. Thus the new Mayor's first policy measure has been to ban consumption of alcohol on public transport from June 1st. Read more

Assembly has anti-Conservative majority

The first meeting of the London Assembly following the elections, held on Friday 9th May, was primarily to make appointments. It showed an informal coalition of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Groups can outvote the Conservative Group. The only exception was the appointment of Brian Coleman (who represents Barnet and Camden) to the Covent Garden Area Trust, as most of Covent Garden is in his constituency.

The make up of the Assembly is now Conservatives 11 Labour 8 Liberal Democrats 3 Green Party 2 British National Party 1Read more

New Mayor's top appointments

In his first week as Mayor Boris Johnson has announced a strong team of top appointments. One of his election pledges was to introduce a Cabinet system at City Hall. At the first meeting of the Assembly, however, the Labour Group argued 'Deputy Mayors' who are not Assembly Members have not been elected and ought not to be given responsibilities.

The statutory post of Deputy Mayor is filled by Richard Barnes, Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, and previously Leader of Hillingdon Borough Council. His responsibilities will be cohesion and regeneration, and he will also lead the Conservative Group on the Assembly.Read more

Londonforum seeks views of member societies

The London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies is marking its 20th year by launching a website and carrying out a survey of its member societies.

'In our 20th year of operation,' says Chairman Peter Eversden, 'it is important that we identify trends, new issues and requirements for the future. Our business plan, aims and activities need to be updated.' He emphasises the importance of a high response to the survey. 'Londonforum needs to be able to demonstrate that its priorities, responses to consultations, demands on other organisations and representations to the Greater London Authority, Central Government, the Civic Trust and other national amenity organisations are based on comprehensive input from its members.'Read more

'An end to the waiting game' for planning decisions

Further reform of the planning system has been announced by the Government: 'a new red tape busting review' will cover the planning application process from start to finish.

The announcement on March 25 was made jointly by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, Business Secretary John Hutton and Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint. Amenity groups will fear the outcome may be reduced opportunity for members of the public to object to planning applications. Ministers stressed the aim was not 'to shift the balance of decision making, weaken important safeguards, or reduce public consultation'; and simultaneously doubled the funding for Planning Aid.Read more

Tackling climate change through the planning system

The Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on Planning and Climate Change was published in December. Among other things it requires all councils to limit carbon emissions by setting targets for using local renewable sources and low carbon energy in new housing developments.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has commissioned Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and Faber Maunsell to develop practice guidance on delivering the policies in the PPS. A working draft of that guidance is now available from ERM's website (www.erm.com/practiceguideance). By publishing a working draft ERM and Faber Maunsell hope to gain a better understanding of the respects in which practitioners want the guidance to be further developed. They are also keen to include as much good practice as possible and draw on early experience of implementing the PPS.Read more