Responding to the Government’s decision to dismantle the Government Office for London (GoL) with immediate effect, the Mayor has published his 'Proposals for Devolution' which set out his plans for a better focused GLA group with greater powers and more accountability.

The Mayor’s proposals, which would be subject to government approval and changes in legislation, would see the London region of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) devolved to the GLA and the functions of the London Development Agency (LDA) folded into the GLA. A resulting London housing and regeneration body would be an executive arm of the GLA and the LDA would cease to exist as a separate body, although its functions would continue.

In addition, the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) should be reformed as a Mayoral Development Corporation, reporting directly to the Mayor and democratically accountable to Londoners. There are currently seven bodies contributing to the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley which causes duplication and confusion.

The Mayor also proposes that responsibility for the Royal Parks Agency and the Port of London Authority should be devolved from Whitehall to the Mayor. Other proposals include giving the Mayoralty greater powers over traffic control and the awarding of rail franchises on routes into London.

Addressing the first London Congress of borough leaders since the general election, the Mayor presented his proposals for a greater say over the issues that are important to Londoners, including devolving more powers to the boroughs. His vision is for a streamlined GLA group more fit for purpose through the removal of needless bureaucracy and overlapping functions across public bodies.