The Mayor of London, the London Assembly and the Greater London Authority

The Greater London Authority is the strategic regional authority for London. Unlike the boroughs, it does not provide services directly to the public.

The GLA is made up of the Mayor – currently Ken Livingstone – and the 25 members of the London Assembly. The Mayor and Assembly members are elected every four years. The next elections will be in May 2008.

The Mayor of London is the elected voice of London. He sets out and co-ordinates strategies aimed at improving London. These strategies set out the Mayor's vision for London and must be consistent with each other. The principal strategies cover

The Mayor is also responsibile for setting the annual budget for the GLA and the other four bodies in the GLA group.

The Mayor works with the boroughs, and other agencies, to put the strategies into practice. For example, in collecting and disposing of waste, the boroughs must take into account the Mayor's municipal waste management strategy.

The London Assembly provides a check and a balance on the Mayor. It scrutinises his actions and also has the power to amend the Mayor's budget subject to a two-thirds majority decision.

The GLA has a pool of permanent staff who support the work of the Mayor and the London Assembly. The internal organisation of the GLA takes account of the separation of powers between the Mayor and the Asembly. The Chief Executive, Anthony Mayer, oversees the permanent staff of the GLA and ensures that it operates effectively and properly.

The GLA group

In addition to the GLA, there are four 'functional bodies' that put the Mayor's strategies into action. These organisations, sometimes collectively referred to as the GLA group, are -

The Mayor appoints the boards of Transport for London and the London Development Agency. The Police and Fire Authorities are independent bodies, but the Mayor appoints some members of the Police Authority, following nominations by the London Assembly. He also appoints the Fire Authority, following nominations by the London Assembly and London boroughs.

Metropolitan Police Authority
The MPA is responsible for maintaining an effective and efficient police service for London. Members of the Authority scrutinise and support the work of the Metropolitan Police Service. In addition to appointing twelve members to the MPA’s board, the Mayor sets the Authority’s budget
London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority
As well as dealing with fires and other emergencies, LFEPA enforces fire safety laws, gives advice about fire safety and carries out various emergency-planning activities, including helping the London boroughs to plan for emergencies.
Transport for London
TfL is the integrated body responsible for the capital's transport system. Its role is to implement the Mayor's Transport Strategy for London and manage the transport services across the capital. It provides bus, river and some light rail services, maintains London's main roads, regulates London's licensed taxi service and runs the Tube.
London Development Agency
The LDA is the Mayor's agency for business and jobs. It prepares London's Economic Development Strategy and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities.

City government

Who does what

History

Central Government

GLA Group, Mayor & Assembly

Freedom of information

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