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Impact of planning changes
The Government published impact assessments at https://bit.ly/4meFcmM for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. It could introduce planning committee modernisation with more delegated decisions. The Commons Bill Committee debated it here which should be of interest to all civic, amenity and community groups.
Claire Holland
Claire Holland became a London councillor in 2014 in Lambeth’s Oval ward and Leader of Labour-controlled Lambeth borough in 2021. In July 2024 Claire was elected chair of London Councils, the cross-party collective of all of the capital’s local authorities.
Dave Hill for ON LONDON interviewed Clair and his fascinating report is here.
Towards a new London Plan
The Mayor launched a consultation ‘Towards a new London Plan’, running to 22nd June 2025 as here. It will be explained by the Deputy Mayor, Jules Pipe, at London Forum’s event on 13th May. The GLA offers supporting videos on the key topics and online events are offered which can be booked here. A Call for Evidence facility can be used to make additional detailed input to the GLA. It was part of the ‘Planning for London Programme’ in 2023, the results of [more…]
New Assembly Committees
GLA Assembly Members on each of their committees were listed in Appendix 1 of the Assembly Plenary agenda for 6th May 2025.
Members can see there the committees to which their constituency Assembly Member has been appointed and then liaise with them on its work. Dates of London Assembly meetings are in the calendar here.
Assembly Members may present petitions initiated as described here by members of the public who wish to raise a matter of concern with the Mayor or a functional body of the Greater London [more…]
Speeding infrastructure delivery
The Government amended the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to build Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) faster, as here. Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister, said “We are strengthening the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to make sure we can lead the world again with new roads, railways, and energy infrastructure as part of the Plan for Change, whilst ensuring local people still have a say in our journey to get Britain building.”
Government wants more delegated decisions
The government is to consult on shifting the jurisdiction of planning committees for smaller housing schemes, building on proposals in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
As reported by The Times, the government is expected to announce further elements of its planning reform agenda in the coming weeks. Among the most contentious is a proposed consultation on removing council planning committees’ ability to “interfere in the vast majority of planning applications.”
Planning minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed that larger schemes will continue to go before committee. However, stripping Councillors’ planning committees [more…]
E-bike safety
The Government published new independent research into the safety of e-bike and e-scooter lithium-ion batteries, chargers and e-bike conversion kits
Borough finance difficulties
London Councils, representing local authorities in London, has issued a press release on how the housing crisis threatens to bankrupt London boroughs due to the £330m overspend in coping with homeless people.
Using the LG Ombudsman
If complaints to a local Council about their services or actions have not reached an acceptable conclusion, a case can be raised with the Local Government Ombudsman. The website of that department has details. Unfortunately, Councils can refuse to comply with the LG Ombudsman’s directions.
Fees for planning applications
The Government has updated its guidance which explains planning related fees, to what they apply and the method of calculating them, as here.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
Lawyers at Town Legal produced a summary of changes in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PAIB). Civic Voice commented on the Bill with concern about changes to local authorities’ planning committees.
London Forum draws attention, as here, to some of the amendments proposed for the Commons Committee Stage of the Bill and will report progress of that committee on its meetings from 29th April 2025. It has to complete its work by 22nd May 2025.
100 years to clear family social housing waiting lists
New data of the National Housing Federation, Crisis and Shelter found that acute shortages of social housing suitable for families mean it would now take more than 100 years to clear waiting lists in some places, with London 15th of the top 20 most affected UK areas. Boroughs spend £4m a day providing temporary housing. See more here.