Crime, Policing and Emergencies

Culture

Economic Policy

Education

Environment and climate change

Equality and Diversity

Health

Housing and Homelessness

International

Planning and Development

Sustainability

Transport

Thirty-fifth Mayor's Report to the Assembly

This is my thirty-fifth report to the Assembly, fulfilling my duty under Section 45 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. It covers the period from 4 September - 8 October 2003.

Transport
Policing and Community Safety
London Development Agency
Draft London Plan
Creative Industries
International Issues
Environment
Equalities
Borough Visits
Culture
Health
GLA Budget 2004
Response to Government Consultation
Case for London
Events
Tourism
The Londoner
City Hall
GLA Organisation
Planning and Development Control
Key Engagements

Transport

Congestion charging

London continues to benefit from the congestion charge scheme with reduced traffic levels giving drivers and bus users quicker and more reliable journeys through the Capital. With the basic scheme now well established, the focus has switched to enforcement.

The on-street enforcement programme is now delivering results with evaders being tracked and cars clamped and removed regularly. Many drivers are turning up and paying the money they owe and we are also now beginning to dispose of confiscated cars.

As well as the on-street teams, another method is being used successfully to identify persistent evaders. TfL is working closely with the Metropolitan and City of London police in roadside operations, which identify and check targeted vehicles. This has worked well in identifying not only drivers who are illegally driving through the zone, but also have committed other traffic offences.

London Underground

Pursuing safety concerns on the Underground continues to be a top priority and London Underground has published an independent study which concluded that it is very unlikely that tunnel dust on London Underground has any serious adverse effects on the health of Tube passengers and staff. London Underground commissioned the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh to research and report on the issue. It was commissioned to look primarily at the likely health effects on London Underground staff who spend many of their working hours in an environment containing tunnel dust over the course of their working lives.

Another measure has been introduced to protect frontline Tube staff from violence and abuse. DNA kits (spitting kits) have been brought in to reduce the number of spitting incidents by making it easier to collect DNA and therefore gather evidence to successfully prosecute. The safety of staff is paramount and this will be a valuable tool in making their jobs safer by detecting and deterring such abuse.

The trial of 'official' buskers on the Underground has been received positively by passengers, Tube staff and the police and will be extended for another three months.

Transport Policing

This month has seen further progress on transport policing. The joint TfL-Met Police Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) is having real success cracking down on crime on the buses and the scourge of taxi-touts.
I have secured an extra £25m for this initiative, which will take the number of staff at TOCU to over 900. We know that the fear of crime is a deterrent to travelling on public transport and the work of TOCU and this extra money are making a real difference.
The extra money will fund:

• More officers for the dedicated cab enforcement unit to tackle taxi touting and support taxi and private hire compliance;
  
• Teams of Traffic Police Community Support Officers, to help clear critical congestion points on London's road network as well as being a visible deterrent to criminals and on hand to help the public. Officers will be able to direct traffic and issue parking tickets;
  
• Extension of TOCU operations to cover night buses; and other times when a police presence is needed; and
  
• Enhanced area task force teams to provide the capability to respond to issues anywhere on the bus network.
  

Launched just over a year ago, the unit specialises in deterring and tackling crime and congestion on London's bus network. The unit had made almost 3000 arrests at the end of July 2003 - including some for serious offences such as assault, possession of offensive weapons, drugs, sexual assaults and rape. Arrests have also been made for possession of false driving documents and vandalism on buses including arson.

Minicab Driver Licensing

I was delighted to present the first five mini-cab drivers with their licenses this month. Driver licensing is the second step of three in making London's mini-cab trade safer, following operator licensing and vehicle licensing to follow. From now on, passengers can ask to see a driver's license or permit (a pre-stage to a full license) before they get in the car. Around 200 women every year are sexually assaulted by rogue mini-cab drivers. Our licensing programme coupled with our campaign advising to women to 'know what they are getting into' aims to cut this figure dramatically.

River Transport

I am keen to see more use of the river and TfL has been investing in new piers, such as the Millbank Millennium Pier, and better marketing to increase passenger numbers. As a sign of this commitment, TfL is directly subsidising a river service for the first time. The Thames Clippers service, operating daily from Savoy Pier to Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe, will receive a £3m subsidy from TfL over a 10 year period and £1m of private sector sponsorship from London First over the next 5 years. The high-speed catamaran service has been running for three years and carries 1500 passengers a day.

Student Rail Discount

On 22 September I announced a £10 million extension to the popular student travel discount scheme that will give students a 30% discount on National Rail services in London. Following agreement with train operating companies, from 4 January 2004 Transport for London student photocards will be valid on National rail trains in the London area as well as on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway, Croydon Tramlink and London bus services.

The change will particularly benefit the nearly 100,000 students who study at outer London colleges that are not in easy reach of an Underground station.

For the thousands of London-based students who rely on National Rail services to get to and from college, this new extension of the student photocard could save them hundreds of pounds a year.

London is a wonderful place to study, but going to university or college is now a very expensive business and I hope that this new measure will help to ease the financial burden for London students.

The scheme has been greeted with support from University of London Union (ULU), London Higher (the group of all 41 Higher Education institutions in London) and the National Union of Students (NUS).

TfL Internal Transfer Scheme

I have approved Transport for London's internal transfer scheme as required by Section 165(2) of the GLA Act 1999.

The scheme reorganises the TfL group following the transfer of LUL and the merging of the Surface Transport and Street Management Directorates. It was decided that a new structure bringing the organisations together would enable TfL to deliver more efficient and integrated services to its customers and would help to deliver efficiency savings. The structure has been determined following extensive advice from external management consultants.

Travelwise week

Good progress has been made this month in promoting cycling and walking opportunities in the city. A number of events took place to mark the Travelwise week culminating in a well-attended breakfast for cyclists hosted by TfL.

A4 Green Corridor

I have approved the commissioning of consultants and the awarding of a contract to develop a strategy for the A4 Green Corridor. This project is to be included in the next phase of the 100 public space project. The purpose of the strategy is to identify future projects that integrate improved traffic management and pedestrian circulation into a high quality public realm.
The GLA Architecture and Urbanism Unit is working in partnership with TfL, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Green Corridor.

The A4 links Heathrow Airport with Hyde Park Corner. The aim is that this route provides an impressive sense of arrival intro the capital. We want to build on the success of the Green Corridor from Heathrow to Chiswick by developing a strategy to extend this initiative into central London.

It is proposed to seek expressions of interest by placing an advertisement in a regeneration journal to ensure the widest spectrum of applicants. A shortlist will be asked to tender and these will be assessed in terms of value for money as well as the quality of work undertaken previously and the ability to meet the performance criteria set out in the application.

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Policing and Community Safety

Operation Payback

On 26 September I welcomed the launch of a new law enforcement attack by Police and Customs to claim back the criminal cash and proceeds funding the illegal lifestyles of the capital's criminals.

Operation Payback, the first such initiative in the UK is being launched in London. It will see customs and police using new tactics in conjunction with the new powers given to them under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to take cash out of the criminal supply chain. All money seized is held by The Treasury of which a proportion is allocated to the Home Office's 'Recovered Assets Fund' and distributed to invest in crime prevention projects throughout the UK.
It is good to see that a new co-ordinated onslaught is being made on the pockets and wallets of London's criminals whose greed blights so many London lives. I hope it hurts and give my full support to London's Police and Customs officers. It is also good to see that such large amounts of cash have already been confiscated from London's criminals. However, we want to see more of these assets returned by Government to London to invest in the communities damaged by drug dealing and organised crime.

"Know what you are getting into" campaign

On 30 September I launched new campaign to help Londoners, and women in particular, get home safely from the West End alongside the Metropolitan Police and TV presenter Sarah Cawood.

Last year more than 80 per cent of sexual offences committed by illegal minicab drivers were linked to cabs picked up in the West End. The new campaign includes an information blitz for women out and about in Soho and Piccadilly, a best practice guide for pubs and clubs and increased police enforcement activities.

I launched licensing for minicab operators in 2001 and in June this year made it an offence to drive a minicab without a licence. I also presented some of the first minicab drivers with their mew licences. I am very concerned that many women do not realise the risks they take by picking up a minicab in the street. To help women, and all Londoners, stay safe, I am working to ensure minicab operators and drivers are licensed, I have increased the number of black cabs out on the street and got a police presence and CCTV installed on night buses.

However still too many women take a risk with illegal minicabs driven by touts. This new information campaign and extra funding for more high-profile operations to tackle touting in the West End will reduce that risk.
It is time that minicab touting became a recordable offence and I have written to the Home Secretary asking him to approve the necessary regulations.

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London Development Agency

Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair

On 9 September the appointment of Honor Chapman CBE as Chair of the London Development Agency, and Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas DBE as Vice-Chair was announced. This follows an advertising and recruitment process earlier this summer. Both Honor and Judith have served in an acting capacity since 1 April 2003 and are existing LDA Board members.

Both have substantial experience at a senior level as partners running City commercial firms. Honor Chapman has had an extensive career in property and urban development. Having been an International Director for real estate services and investment management company Jones Lang LaSalle, she is now a consultant to the firm. She is also a Crown Estate Commissioner and Chair of the Royal Academy Burlington Gardens Committee.

Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas will take up the post of provost of King's College, Cambridge on 1 October. She previously chaired the policy and resources committee at the Corporation of London for six years until 2002 and is my Cabinet Advisor on City and Business. She is also Chair of the Royal Opera House and a Trustee of the Natural History Museum.

Following the increasing commitment in light of the significant demands on their roles I have approved a commensurate increase in salary for the posts. The current conditions of service for the Chair provide for an annual salary of £47, 801 based on an assumed average time of 2 days a week. However, the development of the role over the last six months has meant that an increased time commitment has been necessitated. Therefore, assuming that the time commitment has increased to 3 days a week, I have agreed the increase in salary to £71, 701. Similarly, the role of Vice Chair has also increased and therefore the salary for the post has been increased from £15, 210 to £22, 815 per annum.

Draft Economic Development Strategy

I have approved the draft Economic Development Strategy for publication and consultation to the London Assembly and Functional Bodies. Following this initial stage of consultation on the strategy, the public consultation will commence on 1 February 2004.

LDA Establishment of a Limited Company

I have granted the LDA consent for setting up a limited company to act as a vehicle for investment of LDA, ERDF and private sector monies in the Objective 2.3 SME Loan and Venture Capital Funds and any similar funds that LDA may wish to initiate in the future.

This initiative is a result of the fact that a lack of suitable and appropriate finance is one of the key factors identified by SMEs as a constraint to business growth and it is also one of the principal obstacles to successful business start-ups and their survival. The overall vision of the Objective 2 programme is to redress the imbalance in London's economy by tackling barriers to economic opportunity in key areas suffering industrial decline, urban deprivation, low economic activity and social exclusion so that new sustainable opportunities are open to all people living and working in the Objective 2 area.
In London a problem exists in helping small businesses to access existing mainstream sources of finance more effectively, just as much as increasing the supply of funds. London's proposals address the issues that prevent businesses accessing finance through 3 strands:

1. Improving small firms' financial propositions;
   
2. Marketing, information and communication of sources of appropriate finance
   
3. Improving the supply of funding where there is market failure
   

It is therefore proposed to establish venture capital and loan funds in the Objective 2 areas offering a range of financial instruments to meet the needs identified.

LDA Monitoring and Performance Evaluation Framework

I have approved the LDA monitoring and performance evaluation framework. This framework is slightly updated from the 2002/03 framework and defines the way the LDA is monitored by GOL and the GLA with regard to its progress towards Tier 2 targets, its achievements of Tier 3 milestones, the delivery of my Economic Development Strategy and that of the LDA Corporate Plan.

Annual Meeting

The LDA has announced details of the forthcoming Annual Public Open Meeting to be held at the ICA on 12 November following the LDA Board meeting. At the meeting, the LDA will present its third Annual Report and provide an overview of its activities for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003.

Women Building London

On 22 September the LDA backed the launch of a major new campaign: Women Building London, which aims to help 1,400 women towards careers in manual trades such as plumbing, carpentry, decorating and plastering. The building industry has an estimated annual shortfall of 4,000 entrants a year in London and needs to double the number of people in training if it is to sustain housing and regeneration developments in the capital. New research reveals that women make up less than one per cent of construction workers and one in three of these encounter prejudice from male colleagues. The campaign is being run by training and campaigning organisation, Women's Education in Building. LDA Board member Yvonne Thompson CBE attended the launch and delivered a speech alongside the Minister responsible for construction, Nigel Griffiths MP.

2012 Olympic Bid

On 16 September Barbara Cassani appeared before the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee to give the Committee an update on the London 2012 Olympic Bid's progress. Ms Cassani was well received by the Committee who praised her "open and honest" attitude. She said that what she had been encouraged by joined up working between Government agencies and used the master-planning steering group as an example of this co-operation. She also invited the Committee members to visit the London 2012 offices and the Lower Lea Valley. The Committee is expected to invite Ms Cassani and other senior representatives from London 2012 back for a progress report in the next few months.

Representatives from the LDA also appeared before the London Assembly's Environment Committee on Thursday to discuss the environmental and sustainability issue surrounding the 2012 Olympic Bid. The Committee was updated on how the masterplanning exercise was progressing and the integral nature sustainability had within it. The Committee was also briefed on the flooding issues surrounding the Lower Lea Valley, the range of partners involved in the project and the timetable of the process.

I will be appearing at the London Assembly plenary meeting alongside Ms Cassani on 15 October to discuss progress of the London Bid in more detail.

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Draft London Plan

Draft Industrial Capacity Supplementary Planning Guidance

On 30 September I published draft supplementary planning guidance on the management of industrial land in London.

The guidance informs boroughs, developers and manufacturers about how London's supply of industrial land should be managed and protected to ensure there is sufficient capacity for London's industry and also outlines how land that has been identified as surplus to industrial requirements should be freed for other uses.

London's manufacturing sector has faced a tough time for several decades, but there is evidence that the long-term decline is abating. This guidance will ensure there is an adequate stock of industrial employment land to meet the future needs of different types of industry in different parts the capital, including demand for high quality and affordable space.

At the same time it will enable local authorities and developers to plan, monitor and manage the release of land that it is clear is no longer required for industrial uses, so that this land can contribute better to local and London-wide planning objectives - including the need for more affordable housing.

Manufacturing still plays a vital role in London's economy, with particular strengths in high skill, high value-added activities, including those related to the capital's creative sector. The wholesale distribution sector, which provides London's crucial logistics and warehousing services, also occupies industrial land. The latest figures produced in 2001 showed 260,000 people were employed in manufacturing in London, with a further 180,000 in warehousing.

This guidance supplements the policies of my draft London Plan, which provides the strategic context for developers and London boroughs when making their planning decisions. The draft Plan states that I with the LDA, boroughs and other relevant partners will promote and manage the industrial capacity of London's Strategic Employment Locations; and that London boroughs should identify Strategic Employment Locations in their Unitary Development Plans, and manage the protection, release or enhancement of industrial sites outside these areas.

London has 7,000 hectares of industrial land. Subject to regular review of demand and supply, this supplementary planning guidance proposes sustaining 4,400 hectares of industrial capacity in designated Strategic Employment Locations.
The consultation will close on 2 January 2004.

Sustainability Appraisal

I have agreed an exemption from the contract code with regard to the commissioning of consultants to carry out additional work on the sustainability appraisal of the London Plan.

The London Plan is required by GOL Circular 1/2000 to undertake an iterative approach to a sustainability appraisal. This iterative approach allows for recommendations to be taken into working drafts of the emerging London Plan that took place during the work on the draft London Plan. It is proposed that this additional work to carry out another iteration on the merging final version of the London Plan so that recommendations to assist the policy's contribution to achieving sustainable development can be incorporated. The report of the Panel following the Examination in Public recommended that the next stages of the sustainability appraisal should also maximise its compatibility with future Strategic Environmental Assessment requirements. Within the time constraints for producing the final London Plan, this additional work will start to address the issues of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. A report on the sustainability appraisal, together with indicators and targets will be published alongside the final London Plan.

Entec UK has already been commissioned to undertake the iterative process of an independent sustainability appraisal of the London Plan. They were selected after a process of competitive tendering in June 2001. Proposals for the work were sought from 4 consultancy firms. The work to be commissioned for these additional tasks should cost approximately £44,000 and has been judged to provide value for money.

London Plan Advisors

I have approved retrospectively, the costs of engaging Professors Drew Stevenson and Robin Thompson that have been incurred to date from 2001/02, over and above those formerly approved. I have approved the estimated costs for the period until 31 March 2004. I have also noted that a report is being submitted to the Chair of BMAC seeking approval for the continued engagement of Professors Stevenson and Thompson at short-term assignments for 6 months in accordance with the arrangements agreed at BMAC on 4 June.

The high level of expertise and pre-eminence in strategic planning and the provision of high-level policy and technical advice of both advisors are considered to be critical to the continuing development of the London Plan. Both have played key roles in drawing up the draft London Plan, engaging in the public consultations, preparing for the Examination in Public and acting as the lead witnesses on my behalf. The work of Professors Stevenson and Thompson remain important in the provision of advice on the issues raised in the report of the Panel and in other consultation responses, to lead the production of the revised draft London Plan for final submission to the Government and to play a part in rolling out the plan, including the preparation of Sub-Regional Development frameworks, Supplementary Planning Guidance on key issues and stakeholder discussions.

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Creative Industries

Centre for Fashion Enterprise

On 18 September it was announced that a further £1.7 million would be provided by the LDA to fund specialist business support for talented young fashion designers. The funding will be channeled through the Centre for Fashion Enterprise which was established with the London Institute in March 2003 to help gifted young graduate designers successfully develop and market their own labels. Three of the designers who receive support from the Centre headlined an exclusive catwalk show at City Hall on 24 September where they presented their new womenswear collections.

City Showcase

A unique event for emerging talent in the music and fashion worlds took place across London from 22-26 September. City Showcase, mainly funded by the LDA, gave young musicians and fashion hopefuls an opportunity to perform and show their designs at a variety of different venues, during the week-long festival.

Coinciding with London Fashion Week, City Showcase it featured in excess of 120 performers during the week. There is so little opportunity for new talent to get exposure and City Showcase gives musicians and fashion designers a rare opportunity to showcase their work to a large audience and get the recognition they deserve from both the public and those in the music and fashion industries.

Since the first City Showcase, staged in February, three of the featured acts have been signed by major record labels.

City Showcase provides a rare platform for London's emerging talent and I am pleased that performers from the first Showcase in February are starting to get noticed. Events like these are essential to encourage investment and promote global competition for the capital's creative industries.

Consultancy contract

I have approved the awarding of a contract for consultancy service in relation to creative industries issues to Blencathra Productions for a period of 3 years from 1 October 2003.
The contract was awarded in order to provide advice and expertise on related issues, identify development opportunities and the development of an extensive network of contacts across the sector and liaison with stakeholders.
This follows my agreement to an extension of the existing contract following the completion of a competitive tendering exercise. The outcome of the tendering exercise has been submitted to me and consequently I have approved the extension of the contract. The value of the contract is £360, 000 in 2003/04 and it is anticipated that a similar provision will be available in future years.

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International Issues

Friendship agreement with Dhaka

On 10 September the Mayor of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sadeque Hossain Khoka and I signed a friendship agreement at City Hall, pledging to build on our existing fruitful relations. The friendship agreement recognises the enormous contribution London's Bangladeshi community makes to London's cultural life and to the international diversity that is the city's greatest asset.

London and Dhaka share many challenges common to highly populated cities, such as how to manage high traffic levels and provide sufficient housing for their growing populations. This agreement will ensure we share best practice and experience for many years to come. The UK's Bangladeshi community is the fastest growing ethnic community in Britain with 54% (154,000 people of Bangladeshi origin) living in London.
We also discussed London's system of government, waste disposal, and the capital's congestion charge.

Baroness Uddin of Bethnal Green and His Excellency, Sheikh Razzak Ali, High Commissioner for the People's Republic of Bangladesh also attended the signing. Leading figures from London's Bengali community representing the worlds of the arts, business and politics were among the 200 guests invited to witness the signing of the agreement in the Chamber at City Hall.

Fairtrade Exhibition

At the start of September, an exhibition was unveiled at City Hall with the aim of explaining to Londoners why they should give fairtrade products a try. The exhibition was supported by the Co-operative Group and shows how farmers in the developing world have been hit by the 50% fall in coffee bean prices over the past three years.
Illustrated with stunning images by acclaimed photojournalists Zed Nelson and Janet Jarman, the exhibition was also brought to life by the personal stories of villagers from the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative in the Ashanti region in Ghana, where a fairtrade premium of £100 per tonne of cocoa beans brought a well to the village, saving villagers from a 9 km walk.

In August 2002, I accepted a request from the Fairtrade Foundation for London to work towards becoming a Fairtrade City. The fairtrade scheme brings real benefits to farmers and workers in the developing world but they are still only able to sell a small percentage of their produce at fairtrade prices. More demand for fairtrade products would help provide more farmers with enough money to feed and educate their children.

Fairtrade farmers from Windward Islands, Mexico, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda and Sri Lanka visited the exhibition on 8 September representing a range of fairtrade produce from bananas and coffee to honey and tea.

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Environment

Waste Strategy

On 22 September I launched my Waste Strategy for London, encouraging targets of more recycling, less rubbish and cleaner streets.
Every eight days London produces enough municipal waste to fill Canary Wharf Tower. My vision for London is to reduce the 4.4m tonnes of municipal waste the city produces every year and encourage the reuse and recycling of more of our rubbish.

Our city is producing more and more waste, with each household creating on average over a tonne of rubbish every year. The amount of landfill space is running out and we need to find other ways to dispose of our waste. We are lagging behind many other European cities, for example Berlin is about half the size of London but it recycles and composts more than twice the amount of waste we do.

Londoners and stakeholders were consulted on my draft Waste Strategy and warmly welcomed many of the proposals. All their comments have been considered and I believe this final Strategy will set London on the right course for sustainable waste management.

The strategy sets out actions for London's waste authorities. All boroughs must introduce recycling collections from homes by September 2004, expand and improve reuse and recycling centres and encourage composting.

I want to encourage more people to recycle their waste by developing a rebate scheme as an incentive to recycle. I have also helped to set up the London Schools Environment Awards, which offers cash prizes to schools that improve their local environment.

Cleaning up the capital's streets is another priority. I launched the four-year Capital Standards Programme in March 2002 to raise standards in street cleaning and enforcement. 26 boroughs are members and the first 120 enforcement officers trained by the scheme to crack down on litter louts will be on the streets this autumn.

The strategy outlines the problems of how London's waste is currently managed and warns that the city cannot continue to bury most of its waste in landfill sites. I want to see a single waste disposal authority to coordinate waste services right across the capital.

Now that my Strategy is published, we can concentrate on implementing the proposals to take London to 25 per cent recycling, and beyond, in the next three years.

"Recycle for London"

Environment Minister Elliot Morley MP and I launched 'Recycle for London', a new initiative aimed at encouraging Londoners to take action and start recycling more of their waste.

The campaign launched with a dedicated website www.recycleforlondon.com and helpline number, 0845 3 313131, which will make it easy for Londoners to find out about recycling services specific to their boroughs, including information on recycling collections from homes. People often consider getting recyclable waste to the nearest recycling banks difficult, particularly if they do not have access to a car. Fifty seven per cent of Londoners have collections from home for recyclable materials but half of these people do not know the service exists.

At the launch we also unveiled a work of art, commissioned by the GLA, for Londoners to enjoy. The artwork measures 6 ft 6inches (2 metres) high and 12 foot (3.7 metres) long and depicts the London skyline made up of recyclable materials with Londoners appearing in the foreground. The artwork will tour the capital and will appear first at the London design show, DesignersBlock from 25 to 28 September 2003.

The Recycle for London campaign will also raise awareness of those materials that can be recycled. Most Londoners are familiar with the idea of recycling newspapers and wine bottles but do not realise they could easily recycle more.

Only 9% of Londoners' waste is currently recycled and government targets mean that this figure must increase to 25% by 2005. This campaign is essential to the future of all Londoners, and it is important that Londoners do recycle more. That includes recycling glass jars as well as bottles, food cans in addition to drink cans, unwanted clothes and linen, and composting garden and kitchen waste. These are all simple actions that people can take which will make a big difference to improving the amount of waste London produces, and ultimately the environment we live in.

As part of this awareness raising campaign, I have agreed the expenditure of £15, 000 for the Recycle for London campaign to co-sponsor The Cookery Theatre stand at the Mela 2003 and have agreed the waiving of the contracts code of practise in this regard. The stand will focus on domestic cooking and the everyday waste that can be recycled including jars, cans and the composting of food waste. One of the elements of this project is to engage ethnic minority groups in the campaign. The Mela 2003 event will be held at the Wembley exhibition centre in October. The event is expected to attract around 30,000 people and is the targets such event taking place during the course of the Recycle for London campaign.

I have agreed the expenditure of £7,424 for the Recycle for London campaign for additional local paper advertising. I have agreed to spend £1,200 for the Recycle for London campaign for website data uploads.

London Noise Survey

I have approved the award of a contract for noise measurement and analysis to extend national work into currently unrepresented parts of London, forming the first stage of a London Noise Survey. Consultation on my Draft Ambient Noise Strategy recognised that while the National Noise Incidence Study and the National Noise Attitudes Survey constituted the best available data in terms of quality control and depth, the gaps in area coverage of London needed to be addressed.

Estimated costs are between £34-£56, 000 depending on the extent of areas surveyed, and whether partner contributions can be secured. I have approved a budget adjustment of up to £26, 000 from technical advice and noise mapping elements of the existing allocation for work on noise in the 2003/04 Environment Programme Budget. I have approved the award of a contract of up to £56,000 via a single tender to the Building Research Establishment which was responsible for carrying out the National Noise Incidence Study and in doing so waive the requirement of the Contracts Code to undertake a tendering exercise.

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Equalities

Second Anniversary of the London Partnerships Register

On 5 September 2001, Ian Burford and Alec Cannell, and Linda Wilkinson and Carol Budd became the first couples to sign up to the London Partnerships Register, after I fulfilled a manifesto commitment to introduce the London Partnerships Register, making the Greater London Authority the first public body to offer recognition to same sex as well as heterosexual couples.

To celebrate its second anniversary, I hosted a reception at City Hall, to be attended by many of the couples that have signed the London Partnerships Register. Other guests included Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive, Stonewall and Karina Stibbards, Women & Equality Unit, DTI.

The London Partnerships Register was the first of its kind in the UK and I am proud that London has led the way on the principle of equal rights for same sex and different sex unmarried couples. It has exceeded all of my expectations. Lesbian and gay couples continue to demonstrate that they want the right to have their relationships recognised and almost 550 registrations have taken place so far.

Since its introduction in London, other local authorities have introduced similar schemes and some companies are looking at their own benefits schemes in relation to unmarried partners. I am delighted that that the government now recognises the need for legislative change, with its draft Civil Partnership Framework. I welcome these proposals, but would like the government to extend legal rights to all unmarried couples regardless of sexuality.

The consultation period for the government proposals for a Civil Partnerships Framework ended on 30 September. I have submitted my response in association with Stonewall following a consultation meeting on 19 September at City Hall to gather feedback from other agencies.

I have asked that that the Government recognize the existing GLA registrations under the new arrangements. I have also agreed that if the legislation is enacted that the London Partnership Registration be discontinued and proposals for licensed civil registration ceremonies at City Hall be developed.

My response to the white paper on civil partnership is available on the Greater London Authority website.

Seminar for London's Muslim communities

My policies and strategies, and their delivery to London's Muslim communities were discussed at a seminar for Muslim organisations at City Hall on Sunday 28 September. The seminar was organised with the Muslim Council of Britain (which represents around 100 London Muslim organisations). Its purpose was to allow London Muslims to meet managers of London's transport, police, fire and economic development agencies to discuss how the services they deliver can better meet the needs of London's Muslim communities.

I welcomed this opportunity for a dialogue with Muslim organisations to improve the delivery of services to their communities in London. I am determined that London government should be representative of all communities in the city. That means listening to communities, improving services to meet their concerns and ensuring that the management of London's public services reflects the diversity of London.

In addition to this, I have also approved the facilitation of a conference on understanding the impact of the war in Iraq on London's Muslim Communities. The conference is being organised by the Muslim Association of Britain and will take place on 14 October. I will be speaking at the start of the event, which aims to address the concerns held by London's Muslim communities about the reporting of the war in Iraq and the subsequent effects on the feelings of security. It also will look at the impact of the war in terms of the economic effects in London and look at mechanisms for recovery. The cost of the event will be £7500.

Conference for London's Muslim Youth

I hosted a conference on Thursday 2 October to discuss and debate the issues affecting Muslim youth in London. Key groups and organisations attended the one-day conference.

The objective of the event was to provide a forum for young Muslims to raise and discuss their concerns with policy makers and those responsible for delivering public services in London. The conference aimed to enable the development of strategies to tackle these concerns and highlight the contribution of Muslim youth in London.

Bangladeshi Community Conference

I have approved a conference to debate and address issues affecting London's Bangladeshi community. The conference will take place on 9 December. The event is being organised with the Consortium of Bengali Associations.

This is part of a continuing programme of engagement with Asian stakeholder organisations, discussion and consultation with representatives from Bangladeshi community organisations has resulted in the development of proposals to host a conference aimed at developing issues and policies of concern to the Bangladeshi community. The conference will cost £5,300 and will be held at City Hall.

Capital Age Festival

The Capital Age Festival, a free festival of music, entertainment and dance, organised by older people for older people, took place on 26 September at City Hall and Potter's Field. The festival was organised by the London Older People's Strategies Group and I gave them my wholehearted support when I addressed the event.

London is home to nearly two million people aged 50 or over and yet this is an age group that is often overlooked. I was delighted to be able to support the Capital Age Festival and help bring to the heart of London a festival specifically aimed at London's older community.

The London Older People's Strategies Group is a voluntary group representing the views of over 100 older people's groups in London. This event recognised and celebrated the contribution that older people make to London.

The Capital Age Festival was one of a number of activities aimed at addressing the needs of older people in London. The second London Older People's Assembly will take place on 13 October and will focus on the issue of high levels of pensioner poverty in London.

Disability Capital Conference

I have approved the Disability Capital Initiative including consultation with disabled people, the production of a report and the Disability Capital conference to be held on 13 December.

Disability Capital aims to be a vehicle for the effective implementation of my equality vision in relation to disabled people as part of the overall equalities framework. This is a major initiative to ensure that London takes a lead in promoting equal rights for disabled people.

The initiative was launched earlier this year as part of the European Year of Disabled People.

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Borough Visits

Lambeth, Southwark and Bromley tour

On 4 September, London's Olympic bid and the future of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre were at the forefront of discussion during my visit to the London Boroughs of Bromley, Lambeth and Southwark.

Sport is very important because it is crucial to promoting good health and well-being and enhances London's reputation as a world class visitor attraction. I reiterated by view that Crystal Palace sports centre is an important national and regional facility that is used by schools and young people from all over London, as well as by thousands of individuals a year and it could also have a role to play in London's Olympics bid.
This visit took place as part of my programme of visits to all London boroughs. I visited various regeneration and community initiatives funded by the London Development Agency. In the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Bromley the LDA is investing £140 million to support a diverse range of projects designed to boost prosperity in the area.

A working lunch and Q&A session with the Streatham Chamber of Commerce was followed by a walkabout of the proposed Tesco/Streatham Hub regeneration site where local Assembly Member, Val Shawcross, accompanied me.

I also attend a Crime and Community public meeting of the Canada Water Community Forum where I met with the Borough Commander and was quizzed during a Q&A session by local residents about crime and policing issues.

Other visits on the day will include Bromley Fire station where I met with fire-fighters, the Borough and Station Commanders and local community members, the Elephant Links Project to view the current development proposals for the Elephant and Castle area and a tour of Southwark Park, which has been restored by local residents with Community Lottery funding.

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Culture

Black History Month 2003

On 16 September I announced the plans for the forthcoming series of educational and cultural events to celebrate Black History Month during October.

Black History Month gives many Londoners a unique opportunity to explore and celebrate Black history. The public can learn about, discuss and pay tribute to the important role that black people have played in shaping London's history. I am committed to making this annual event a fundamental part of London's educational and cultural programme. The events organised throughout October should be of interest to all sections of London's diverse society. Black culture has enriched British society for hundreds of years and this will be highlighted during October. I encourage everyone to join in and commemorate this special month.

Events include Black Heritage Debate - 100 Great Black Britons; Dub, Sweat & Tears Exhibition -The History of Black Music in Britain: 1950-2000; and London Black Heritage Trails.

The Black Heritage Conference - 'First Voice: Dialogue with the Diaspora' on 25 October is the second Black History Month Conference. It aims to will push forward the debate about Black history and heritage by bringing together a diverse array of contemporary and historical speakers. Workshops will include debates on music, film, adoption and young people.

Thames Festival 2003

Over the weekend of the 13-14 September I took part in the Thames Festival, the annual celebration of the river Thames.

The river is a symbol of the capital's trading and seafaring heritage and the festival a wonderful celebration of its central role in the life and history of our great city. Events like the Thames Festival bring together people of all ages and backgrounds and enhance London's international reputation as a cultural and arts destination. Around 100,000 people attended numerous events over the course of the weekend.

The Thames Festival was a key part of the Totally London Tour, a campaign devised by Visit London and myself to get people out and about in the capital and explore some of London's changing attractions and events.

The Thames Festival underlines the progress London is making towards becoming an exemplary sustainable world city. In the 1950s the Thames was filthy and increasingly unable to sustain life. Over the past few decades there have been amazing improvements and we have now got one of the cleanest rivers of any major city, with around 118 species of fish recorded.

Summer in the Square

Following the successful live concert in the new-look Trafalgar Square with David Gray, Morcheeba and Nitin Sawhney, the Summer in the Square programme continued with Liberty, my first disability arts festival, and culminated on 24 September with the Let there be Light! Performance.

Summer in the Square was the third season of free events organised in Trafalgar Square since the GLA was established. All summer thousands turned up to enjoy a wonderful variety of musical, theatrical and children's events. Trafalgar Square is recognised around the world and the improvements, including a café and lifts to improve access for disabled people, have made it into a fantastic outdoor venue, for Londoners and for visitors to the capital.

Liberty was one of a number of events and initiatives I have given support to as part of the European Year of Disabled People. It has been organised by myself in association with Greater London Action on Disability (GLAD) and is a contemporary programme featuring disabled artists, musicians, dancers and performers from the UK and abroad.

I am delighted with the success of this year's events, which have undoubtedly benefited from the redevelopment of Trafalgar Square.

The Guardian Annual Arts party

I have approved the use of London's Living Room for the hosting of the Guardian annual arts party on 16 October and to forego the standard hire fee in exchange for an advertisement, of equivalent value, in the Guardian promoting a GLA cultural event.

This hosting of this prestigious event at City Hall including guests from across the arts, culture and media world will be a great showcase for City Hall. The event provides an opportunity to network with arts press, cultural commentators and other major cultural institutions and to promote my culture strategy, the cultural work of the GLA and City Hall.

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Health

Mental Health Services Report

On 24 September, I published a report highlighting the considerable differences between London's mental health service needs to those in the rest of the country.

Produced by independent research organisation, Dr Foster, the report, Availability of mental health services in London, also highlights marked variations in provision across the capital and shows that mental health organisations in London are having mixed success in providing services that are accessible and responsive to the local population. Particular difficulties include high staff vacancy rates, inadequate budget provision, and limited expertise and capacity among primary care trusts (PCTs).

The capital has high levels of mental illness and our health services need to be able to respond effectively to people with complex and varied needs. Although London has some of the most innovative mental health services in the country, it continues to face significant challenges in meeting the diverse requirements of all London's communities.

Londoners deserve excellent mental health services. I believe the comparative information provided will be of assistance to a range of groups to drive forward improvements. It also offers local authority health scrutiny committees the data they need to inform discussions with the NHS about resources and access to services in their areas. The report suggests a number of areas where resources could be directed to improve on the current situation, such as greater support and development of commissioning skills in primary care services, a comprehensive language support strategy, a pan-London strategy to improve retention rates and the development of black and minority ethnic staff.

The London NHS Mental Health Trust CEO Group has welcomed the new report.

The London Agenda for Action on Alcohol

I have agreed the publication and implementation of the London Agenda for Action on Alcohol that will be published shortly.

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GLA Budget 2004

Budget Update

The preparations for next year's budget are on-going and final Mayoral steering group meetings with the functional bodies will take place in October or early November ahead of the budget submission deadline of 10 November.

The Local Government Act 2003 has recently received Royal Assent and the government is on track for changing the system of controlling capital spending in time for the next financial year, 2004-05. The key change is that capital spending will no longer be subject to detailed controls over borrowing and instead there will be a system of self-regulation. For the GLA and all the functional bodies, I will have to determine borrowing limits by reference to a Prudential Code.

The Act also allows local authorities to charge up to 90% of council tax for a second home, instead of the fixed 50% at present from April 2004. The additional amount can be retained locally. The GLA will receive a proportionate share of this (subject to boroughs deciding to change the rate charged). This is an issue we specifically argued for at the consultation stage and any additional amount would be reflected in the GLA's taxbase for council tax setting next year.

It is expected that the local government grant settlement will be announced around the middle of November, up to 2 weeks earlier than last year. This may allow more time for the statutory consultation on my budget proposals for 2004-05.

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Response to Government Consultation

Local Authority Business Growth Incentives - ODPM Consultation

I have agreed in line with the issues considered that the Executive Director of Finance and Performance, in consultation with the Policy Director of Best Value and Partnership, would submit a response on the ODPM's Local Authority Business Growth Incentives proposals.

ODPM's Balance of Funding Review

I have agreed in line with the issues considered that the Executive Director of Finance and Performance, in consultation with the Policy Director of Best Value and Partnership, would submit a response on the ODPM's Balance of Funding Review.

Case for London

London Childcare Strategy

In order to raise the profile of childcare in London and to publicise my London Childcare Strategy, I have agreed to commission Polly Toynbee to draft an article in an accessible style setting out the key issues.

Given her respected knowledge and expertise I have agreed not to seek any other verbal quotes from other potential contributors. Polly Toynbee's book Hard Work: Life in low-pay Britain published in January 2003 is an important study of poverty and exclusion in contemporary London. In addition to this, she has written on the subject for a number of years. The estimated cost of the article will be £7000.

Increasing the availability and affordability of childcare in London is a key priority in addressing social exclusion and labour market disadvantage sin London. The aim of this work is to set out the issues around childcare and poverty reduction in a non-technical, reader-friendly and knowledgeable publication, written in a journalistic style and aimed at a general readership as well as policy experts and decision makers.

Tackling Poverty in London

I have approved expenditure from the Case for London budget for a programme for key stakeholders about issues on poverty. This will include conducting focus groups with representatives from the Pakistani and Bangladeshi community. As part of this programme, the conference "Tackling Poverty in London" will take place on 16 October. The total cost of this programme will be £18, 970.

London has the highest rates of children, working adults and pensioners living in income poverty. Research has also shown that the ethnic dimension of poverty is far more pronounces in London due to the diversity of the capital's population. The consultation and conference seeks to focus priorities for addressing the high levels of poverty across all these groups.

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Events

New Year's Eve

I have approved proposals to mark New Year's Eve 2003 that reflect London's status as a world city and will contribute to a drive to attract tourists and other visitors to London at this time of the year as well as improving London for Londoners celebrating New Year.

The centrepiece of these proposals is the provision of an integrated bus, tube and rail 24-hour service overnight on 31 December/1 January, serving Greater London. These proposals are now agreed in principle by all the transport providers and will be announced once the final agreements on staff cover are in place.

In this framework I am working with Visit London to organise a major tourism drive to London over the New Year period particularly focusing on the rest of the UK, Ireland and Europe. The core of this will be a competitively priced 3-night hotel deal linked to tickets for New Year's Eve at one of the many excellent celebrations being organised in Central London clubs, restaurants and other venues. Following an EU procurement process, I have also approved a proposal to appoint a company to organise a short, visual marking of New Year's Eve that will enhance the image of the city to a world media audience. The company selected is Live Communication Ltd.

The total budget for New Year's Eve promotion organised between the GLA and Visit London is £2.3m, with the London Development Agency providing £2m from its tourism budget, £200,000 from the GLA already identified in the GLA's budget for the marking of New Year's Eve and a further £100,000 in the form of Visit London underwriting against anticipated sponsorship revenue.

I have approved the establishment of approved project and policy management arrangements to manage the contract and facilitate the delivery of these proposals including effective partnership working with relevant external agencies.

Autumn Party Conferences

The GLA have been in attendance at the TUC, Green Party, Liberal Democrat Party, Labour Party, Conservative Party and CBI autumn conferences in 2003. This has included taking a GLA exhibition stand to each conference, holding fringe meetings at the Green, Liberal, Labour and Conservative Conferences, an Olympic meeting at Labour and receptions at the TUC and CBI.

This programme continues the GLA's communication with key partners to effectively govern the capital, targeting key decision makers and influencers such as MPs, MEPS local councillors and the media.

I am delighted that the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and the London Development Agency have won the award for best public sector stand at the Labour Party Conference 2003. Prime Minister, Tony Blair MP, presented the award at reception at Bournemouth's Highcliffe Hotel. The winning stand represented London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Under a banner 'If London wins the Games, the whole country wins', this displayed a series of five questions. Delegates answered the questions by throwing a hoop through one of two holes that flashed up alternative responses. Those winning top marks for three or more questions were entered into a daily prize draw.

This is the second conference stand award the partnership of the Greater London Authority and Hartnell Creative Communication Ltd has won. An earlier stand highlighting London's strengths won the most effectively communicated message award at the CBI conference in 2001.

I have approved a virement of £38,000 from the Marketing teams advertising budget to the Party conference budget. The GLA contracted with Hartnell's Creative to develop and build an exhibition stand on the theme of winning London's Olympic Bid. I have also noted that the GLA contracted with Sue Sansome to co-ordinate the GLA's attendance at the Autumn conferences.

People's Question Time

On 14 October, People's Question Time will take place at Brent Town Hall, Wembley. Londoners will have the opportunity to question myself and London Assembly members on what we are doing for the capital. Toby Harris, Assembly member for Brent and Harrow will chair the meeting.

Questions can be submitted in advance and there will be an opportunity to put questions in person on the night.

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Tourism

Research contract

I have retrospectively approved the commissioning of a qualitative market research to support the emergency tourism programme. I have retrospectively waived the requirement of the contracts code of practise to undertake an advertised competitive tendering exercise and approved the award of the quantitative market research to Research Business International. The cost of the contract was £50, 975 and was carried out in March and April.

I have also granted retrospective approval for the commissioning of quantitative market research to support the emergency recovery programme. I have retrospectively waived the requirement of the contracts code of practise to undertake an advertised competitive tendering exercise and approved the award of the quantitative market research to MORI. The cost of the contract was £24, 000 and was undertaken in March 2003.
The purpose of the emergency tourism recovery programme is to help London's tourism and leisure industries recover from the effects of a war in the Middle East.

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The Londoner

Contract for Promotions and Editorial support

I have approved the awarding of a contract for promotions and editorial support services for future editions of the Londoner to Communications and Marketing Works.

In May 2003 The Londoner began running a range of promotions and competitions. These typically take the form of a discount offer, a competition to win prizes such as free meals, entry to attractions etc. In addition the Londoner carries a prize crossword, a My London feature profiling a well known Londoner or London resident and a gardening column.

Following a written quotation exercise a consultant was appointed to deliver some of these elements for the May-September 2003 issues. Following the success of the exercise, it has been agreed to continue these promotions in future editions and therefore the consultant will assist in managing, developing and delivering the new promotion page.

Following the submission of written quotations I have approved the contract of £500 a day for up to 10 days work for 3 issues. In the event that it is decided that the service will continue after this date, then a further tendering exercise will be undertaken.

Translation Services

I have approved the extension of the contract with Prestige Network to provide translation services for the October and November 29003 editions of The Londoner. This follows the agreement to undertake an EU procurement process to establish a framework arrangement for translation services.

However, the process will not be completed until mid-November and therefore I have previously agreed to undertake a mini-tender to award the contract for services in the meantime. Due to a delay in commencing the EU tender process translation services are required for the next two editions of the Londoner.

The costs of the services for these two editions will be £24,000.

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City Hall

Security Arrangements and Refurbishment

I have agreed works to City Hall to enhance security including fixed electronic screening on ground floor, sliding stiles on the lower ground, level two and level nine and glazed screens and doors on level eight.

I have also agreed to refurbish one set of internal stairwell to encourage their more frequent use following a survey of GLA staff on usage. I have decided that options for the replacement of the entrance doors would be developed for consideration. I have agreed to waive the contracts code in respect of the security improvements and have approved the appointment of Fosters to design the scheme and manage the carrying out of the works and the use of the Accommodation and Asset Replacement reserves will be utilised to meet the cost of these works.

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GLA Organisation

2004 Elections

I have noted the report of the Greater London Returning Officer outlining the current progress on the delivery of the 2004 Elections. The Assembly's Business Management and Appointments Committee considered this report on 10 September.

Functional Body Budget and Performance Monitoring Report

I have noted the contents of the draft report on the performance of the functional bodies for the period April to June 2003 and agreed the Executive Director of Finance and Performance would finalise the report in consultation with the relevant mayoral advisors. The Assembly's Budget Committee will consider the report on 16 October.

GLA Pay Award

I have approved the additional funding for the GLA staff pay award and have decided that the majority of the £176, 000 required should be found from extending the increase top the staff vacancy factor assumed for the current year. Taking a prudent approach, I have decided that this should be increased to 2.9% producing resources of £112, 000 as a contribution towards the required funding package.

Following concerns about potential duplication of costs ion the Scrutiny Programme Budget, I have noted that current position and that £87, 000 could currently be made available from uncommitted elements in that budget. I consider that the remaining £64, 000 required should be found from this budget.

The Budget Committee will be consulted on the proposed virement from the Scrutiny Programme to staffing budgets in line with the agreed protocol.

2002/03 Final Accounts

I have approved the 2002/03 final accounts in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 and have signed the statement of accounts.

Web link upgrade

I have approved a web link upgrade from 2MB to 4MB "burstable". I have approved the waiving of the contracts code of practise and agreed the awarding of the contract to Colt Telecom. The upgrade has been necessitated by the substandard quality of the current web cast video streams owing to the limited bandwidth connection and the slower than acceptable internet connection for users at City Hall.

The contract has been waived as there are only two possible suppliers and as Colt are the current supplier and the work can take place with little disruption to the authority and will also provide a more flexible bursting facility. In addition the costs of the contract over the three-year period is significantly less expensive. The contract over the three-year period is £114, 950 assuming that the 4MB threshold is exceeded monthly and therefore additional costs are incurred.

Content Management System

As part of the GLA's three year technology strategy, I have approved the procurement of a content management system from System Associates Ltd for the purpose of producing, reviewing, publishing and managing information for all of the GLA's websites, including the intranet, extranet and internet and, in the process, improve the information provision to users of the GLA's websites.

This will aid the GLA in meeting key e-government targets for making information electronically accessible to the general public. The cost of the contract will be £103, 996 for the initial setting-up costs and will be £10, 5578 a year for maintenance for the remaining four years of the contract.

Geographical Information System

I have approved the award of a contract to SCC Ltd for the supply of computer hardware for the purchase and implementation of a Geographical Information system. The cost to the GLA is £45,430.

The GIS system enables the creation and manipulation of spatial information and allows data to be held against each parcel of land in a database format. A review of the GLA standards was undertaken and it was concluded that all the GLA standards were valid with the exception of the current hardware standard. Therefore it was recommended that this be upgraded. Following a mini-tender exercise, I have agreed to the contracting of SCC Ltd who are judged to offer the best combination in terms of price and support.

Towards Exemplary Employer Status - Extension of Staff Database

I have agreed the proposed questionnaire for monitoring faith representation for GLA staff. This report will be considered by the Assembly's Business Management and Appointments Committee on 15 October.

Sponsorship Consultancy for Stakeholder Engagement

I have approved the procurement of short-term consultancy support for a period of 6 months up to 31 March 2004 to provide sponsorship management and fundraising for major stakeholder and cultural events in 2003/04 and to prepare the ground for sponsorship requirements for 2004/05. The funding for the consultancy is to be met from the Stakeholder Engagement and Older People and Cultural Events programme budgets. I have approved a virement from the Cultural Events to the Stakeholder Engagement and Older People programme budgets.

This consultancy is to support corporate sponsorship, contributions from functional bodies, sales of exhibition space and brochure space. To date this function has been achieved through the sponsorship team or through direct involvement of officers working on the project, however, the growth of these events and the limits of officer time mean that additional support is required for key stakeholder and cultural events thereby enabling officers to concentrate on event management. The consultancy will be procured in line with the GLA contracts code of practise.

Internal Audit reports

I have note the level of assurance given by Internal Audit to the following audits:

I have also noted the infrastructure contract procurement was undertaken when the Authority was moving to City Hall and taking control of City Hall from the Government and that many of the weaknesses identified were being dealt with in the current review of the Authority's Contracts Code

The Assembly's Audit Panel will consider these reports on 14 October.

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Planning and Development Control

Planning Decisions (Stage Two Referrals)

I have sent letters in response to the following statutory referrals:

Whitelands College, West Hill
I have written to Wandsworth Council stating that I have decided not to direct refusal of this application.

Tabard Square
I have written to Southwark Council stating that I have decided not to direct refusal of this application.

King's Crescent Estate, Stoke Newington
I have written to Hackney Council stating that I have decided not to direct refusal of this application.

Former DERA site, West Drayton
I have written to Hillingdon council stating that I have decided not to direct refusal of this application.

Withdrawal of direction to refuse (Stage Two referral)

2 Puddle Dock and the Mermaid Theatre

I have written to the Corporation of London further to my letter in April directing the Corporation of London to refuse planning permission for this planning application.

I received a copy of a letter from the City Planning Officer agreeing to address my outstanding strategic concerns by the inclusion of appropriate mechanisms within the legal agreement and an assurance from the Corporation of London to consult me on the choice of potential beneficiaries of the developer's financial contribution. Although the loss of the Mermaid Theatre remains contrary to my emerging strategies to protect London's theatres from redevelopment, I am prepared to consider the proposed financial contribution in the light of exceptional circumstances, as it provides some support for alternative new and emerging theatres and a degree of compensation for the loss of a major theatre to Londoners. I have therefore cancelled my previous direction to the Corporation to refuse planning permission.

In reaching this decision, I took into account the potential overall benefits of the proposal, the design of which would undoubtedly bring a welcome element of quality and imagination to the area, intensify the use of this high profile and strategically sensitive site, contribute significantly to the provision of high-quality office space and London's role as a world-class city, and generate a significant level of employment with a reliance on sustainable forms of transport.

I have requested that GLA officers be informed as the development progresses and are sent a copy of the section 106 agreement when it is completed.

Planning Decisions (Stage One Applications)

I have asked officers to send letters giving my comments about the following stage one referrals:

• London Arena
  
• Lanterns Court
  
• Compton High School
  
• Vicarage Road
  
• Darul Uloom, Foxbury Avenue
  
• Potter's Field
  
• Bedfont Court Estate
  
• Selfridges
  
• Rodwell House
  
• Walbrook Wharf
  
• Maclise Road
  
• Brunel University, Uxbridge
  
• Brunel University Site 2

Unitary Development Plans

Camden UDP - First Deposit

I have written to the London Borough of Camden with comments on the proposed alterations to their UDP. I have focused my comments on where I think their plan could be improved, rather than listing all the policies and proposals that I support and are in line with my draft London Plan.

Most of my objections relate to the degree to which the proposed alterations of the UDP reflect my policies as well as national or regional planning policy, many of which raise issues of non-conformity which can be elaborated in discussion with Camden Council before or soon after the London Plan is published.

I have commended the Council's approach in recognition of its proactive efforts to incorporate many aspects of my emerging policies and strategies and the plan's overall facilitation of sustainable development. There are only a few areas that are of fundamental concern and I look forward to the successful resolution of these as the UDP review progresses. Many of my representations are supportive of the policy approaches but advocate further amendments and additions to bring them in line with policies in my draft London Plan and also aim to enhance the clarity and implementation of the plan.

Hillingdon UDP - Consultation of Draft SPG for Planning Obligations

I have asked officers to write to the London Borough of Hillingdon with my comments following their consultation on the draft SPG. The GLA Act 1999 requires all London UDPs to be in general conformity with my London Plan. The UDP review has not reached the first deposit consultation stage and therefore I have not made representations with regards to general conformity of the policies emerging in the existing UDP with the emerging London Plan. There is concern that the UDP policies that form the basis of the SPG do not in all cases reflect the policies of the draft London Plan and that it would perhaps be more appropriate to produce SPG on the basis of policies that will be incorporated into their revised UDP rather than existing policies that are relatively dated. The priority given in the SPG to meeting the needs of households in most urgent need with relation to affordable and key worker housing and to inclusion of housing mix requirement is supported by the GLA. Similarly the recognition that contributions may be made to public transport facilities and services is welcomed.

There are, however, some fundamental areas of the approach to planning obligations and housing policy that do not reflect my emerging policies in the form of my draft London Plan. These relate to specifics on planning obligations, the provision of affordable housing and provision of lifetime homes. GLA officers have requested a meeting with Officers from Hillingdon's UDP team soon in order to discuss potential areas of non-conformity in the emerging new plan given that the London Plan is due to be published in the next couple of months.

Richmond UDP Public Inquiry - Further Written Representations

I have written to Richmond Council with further written representations relating to the removal of the Metropolitan Open Land designation from a number of sites within the borough, as set out in my duly made objections 28 and 29.

I have asked that all of the other duly made representations by myself on the revised Richmond Upon Thames UDP be carried forward for consideration by the Inspector at the public inquiry.

I have sent my written representations updating my earlier objection 28. These are in response to the current pre-inquiry changes proposed relating to the following sites:

• Craneford Way Playing Fields
  
• Heathfield School
  
• Marsh Farm Allotments
  
• Richmond College Playing Fields

Special or Informal Reports

St. Martin-in-the-Fields, City of Westminster

I have written to Westminster Council following informal consultation on the planned refurbishment of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in central London. My view is that this will further enhance the improvements to London's newly pedestrianised Trafalgar Square.

Proposed alterations include improved access with the widening of the Church Path and ramp access into the North Vestibule, a new lift and staircase from church to crypt where the café is situated, and wheelchair accessible toilets. The refurbishment would also create a glazed pavilion entrance offering public access to a new foyer at the east end of the Church Path, and a new public space within the reduced churchyard, including gated and stepped access from Adelaide Street.

St Martin-in-the-Fields is the UK's most visited church, an architectural masterpiece and haven among the bustle of London's landmark Trafalgar Square. These plans achieve the impressive feat of marrying respect for the church's architectural heritage with substantial improvements in public access and public space.

Improving access for disabled people is vital to ensure everyone has the chance to enjoy London's sites and monuments. These plans fit with the spirit of European Year of Disabled People, and also with the new planning guidance I published recently to ensure that equal access is designed-in to new and redeveloped buildings in the capital. Alongside the recent improvements to Trafalgar Square this planned refurbishment could provide a blueprint for future improvements to historic public buildings and spaces.

Draft Planning Brief for the former Rowan High School Site, Rowan Road and Draft Revised Planning Brief for the Brenley Playing Field Site, Cedars Avenue, Mitcham

I have asked officers to write to Merton Council following their consultation on the draft planning briefs. I considered the proposed redevelopment of Brenley fields on 17 May 2001. Comments have also been made on the pre-consultation draft of the above documents on 16 June 2003.

I have considered the briefs on an informal basis and given my advice on the draft planning brief at the former Rowan High School site particularly with regard to the development of open space and the provision of community facilities.

I have given my comments concerning Brenley Playing Field Site with regard to the development of the site and the need to provide for 50% of the total number of housing units for affordable housing in line with the draft London Plan requirement.

Frameworks

Draft Elephant & Castle Masterplan, Part 1 - Strategic Principles

Officers have written to Elephant Links with reference to the consultation exercise initiated in June 2003 concerning the above draft planning framework. Having considered the report I concluded that I support the vision and strategic planning principles outlined in the draft on the proviso that amendments are made to it that will address my concerns together with an assurance that future guidance will provide the additional information required to properly assess the project.

I asked that my conditional support and comments be reported to the executive and Members at their next meeting.

Destination Wembley: A Framework for Development: Revised draft version.

I have written to Brent Council in response ot the consultation document. Having now considered the report, I have advised them of my comments on the draft framework document. My concerns which were mentioned in correspondence earlier this year have largely been addressed in the amended document. I have offered my support and endorecment of the agreed document as an Opportunity Area framework to my London Plan which should be adpoted by the end of the year. I asked that a recommendation that the document be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance when it was discussed at the council's executive meeting on 22 September.

Copies of my planning decisions are available on the GLA website.

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Key Engagements

I have also attended the following key engagements in the last month:

• I participated in Exercise Osiris at Bank Underground station on 7 September
  
• I met with Keith Hill MP, Minister for London on 9 September
  
• I attended the London Resilience Forum meeting on 9 September
  
• I met with Lynne Featherstone AM local residents concerning the Muswell Hill-Swiss Cottage bus route on 10 September
  
• I appeared before the Assembly's Budget Committee to discuss the congestion charging contracts on 11 September
  
• I attended the opening of the September 11 memorial garden at Grosvenor Square on 11 September
  
• I attended the TfL Board away-day on 12 September
  
• I attended the Shelter reception at City Hall on 15 September
  
• I chaired the TfL Budget Steering Group meeting on 16 September
  
• I met with the London Business Board on 16 September
  
• I met with Peter Williams, Chief Executive of Selfridges on 16 September
  
• I attended the Olympic Gold Ball on 16 September
  
• I attended the launch of SERTUC/ LCCI Strategy for Manufacturing on 19 September
  
• I attended the 50th anniversary of the Hornchurch Theatre on 22 September
  
• I met with Sir Robin Wales, Chair of the ALG on 23 September
  
• I chaired the MPA Budget Steering group meeting on 25 September
  
• I addressed the Civic Forum Council meeting on 25 September
  
• I met with Lech Kaczynski, the Mayor of Warsaw on 25 September
  
• I attended a press conference with the Muslim Association of Britain on 26 September
  
• I hosted a reception to welcome new teachers to London on 26 September
  
• I attended the demonstration to oppose the occupation of Iraq on 27 September
  
• I attended a presentation of the emerging development proposals at Wembley on 2 October
  
• I met with Len Duvall AM to discuss the Thames Gateway Bridge on 2 October
  
• I met with the African and Caribbean Business Network on 2 October
  
• I met with John Biggs AM on 2 October

Ken Livingstone
8 October 2003

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