Shaping London: consultation for three mayoral strategies

In October the Mayor issued a draft new London Plan to replace the one that has been in use since February 2008, plus draft strategies for Transport, Economic Development, Air Quality and Water. He published also a report on London's potential housing capacity and the land available to meet it.

Comments have to be made by 5pm on Tuesday 12th January 2010. The London Plan team,Transport for London and the London Development Agency will consider responses, so there is a chance to influence the content and policies in the strategies. Read more

City's low carbon zones revealed

BBC London (online) 3 September 2009

Ten London boroughs have won funding to develop ways of pioneering energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in their areas.

Each borough will be given at least £200,000 to develop schemes ranging from solar panels for schools and electric car charging points.

Work on the new zones is expected to start in early 2010

The areas cover 13,000 homes, around 1,000 shops and businesses, 20 schools, a hospital, places of worship and community centres.Read more

'Don't develop until we get in', say Tories

Architects Journal 1 September 2009
by Richard Waite

The Conservative Party has told Tory councils and MPs to delay any 'major' developments until it comes into power, according to reports at the weekend

The Observer claims it has seen a leaked letter sent by shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman warning authorities not to press ahead with large commercial and housing schemes.

It is understood a new Conservative administration would want to bring in its own local government and housing bill - a move that would, in effect, tear up Labour's regional development targets.Read more

Council to offer 'no frills' plan

from BBC London online 28 August 2009

Residents may be asked to pay extra to avail of additional or speedy services from a north London council.

The economic climate may force Barnet Council to save up to £25m a year, chief executive Nick Walkley said.

The Tory council could outsource work, cut duplication and offer the option to customise services as it aims for "a relentless drive for efficiency".

But the opposition Labour group warns the "Ryanair and easyJet" approach could mean unequal services for some.Read more

Tourism plan aims to maximise opportunities from 2012 Games

Mayor's Office Release 14 August 2009

The Mayor of London has today published London's tourism vision for taking full advantage of the huge opportunities for the capital's economy arising from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It aims to strengthen the capital's position as the world's most popular destination for visitors.

The London Tourism Action Plan 2009-13, produced by the London Development Agency, sets out how it will deliver the Mayor's key priority of ensuring the capital remains the number one choice for international travellers and that the city provides an inspirational experience for everyone in the capital during the 2012 Games.

In 2006, a 10-year vision for tourism in the capital outlined how London was to achieve number one status with targeted, innovative, competitive and dynamic marketing. Most importantly, it committed London to become a city that welcomes the world. The Plan 2009-13 will support the delivery of this vision.Read more

Boroughs helping to ease impact of recession on local communities

London Councils Release 13 August 2009

Converting empty shops into art galleries and introducing a new local 'currency' are among the innovative ways in which London boroughs are helping to ease the impact of the recession on their local communities and firms.

They are just two examples of the good practice initiatives featured in a new guide produced by London Councils' improvement and efficiency partnership Capital Ambition.

Others include publicity campaigns to make people aware of all the benefits to which they are entitled, special networking meetings for small businesses to build contacts with larger organisations, and partnerships with DIY stores to offer cut price loft insulation to help cut people's energy bills.Read more

London facing 50 million cut in concessionary fares funding warns London Councils

London Councils Release 8 July 2009

London Councils is seeking urgent assurances that Londoners will not be hit by a change to the three year funding deal for the national concessionary fares scheme agreed by the government.

It has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, to express its fears which have arisen following discussions with Whitehall officials on how the scheme should be funded in the future.

The government announced a three year package in 2008 to help councils across the country to cover the cost of providing free off peak bus travel for disabled and older people anywhere in England. Under the deal the government was going to provide London with around £55 million a year.

London Councils is now seeking assurances that the government is not planning to reduce the funding the capital will receive in 2010/11 by up to £50 million.

The total cost of London's concessionary fares scheme, the Freedom Pass, which incorporates the national scheme is around £240 million.

Civic Trust Awards to continue

from Building Design 2 July 2006
by David Rogers

The Civic Trust Awards are to continue despite the charity going into administration in April.

The 50-year-old awards were set up to recognise the best in architecture, urban design, landscape and public art and the latest news will be widely welcomed by architects and their clients.

Former Civic Trust built environment manager Malcolm Hankey has masterminded the release of the awards from the administrators Grant Thornton, meaning they will operate independently and will be registered as a Community Interest Company.Read more

London Plan should focus on strategy and leave local issues to the boroughs

London Councils release 23 June 2009

The Mayor's new planning strategy should concentrate on setting out a strategic vision for the future development of the capital and not seek to interfere in local borough issues, London Councils has warned.

The message comes in London Councils' response to the Mayor's proposals for reviewing the London Plan - which sets out how London will develop over the next 20-25 years

London Councils has welcomed the Mayor's commitment to working more closely with the boroughs and outlines further ways in which the Mayor and London's local authorities can work together to secure a better life for Londoners.Read more

Mayor aims to halve capital's severe overcrowding by 2016

Mayor's Office Release 21 May 2009

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced today an ambitious pledge to halve severe overcrowding in London's social housing sector by 2016, the first city in the UK to make this commitment, together with proposals to deliver more family-sized affordable housing.

As the Mayor published his revised housing strategy for public consultation he outlined the major achievements to date. This includes the successful launch of his First Steps Housing programme, to give a helping hand to first time buyers on modest incomes, and a doubling of the capital's empty homes programme.

The Mayor also outlined how, as a direct result of his housing strategy published last November, £186 million has been invested by the London Homes and Communities Agency to kick-start stalled housing developments across the capital. This is equivalent to unlocking one halted regeneration scheme a week since March.Read more