How the London Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee works

The Assembly's Planning and Housing Committee holds the Mayor to account by examining his strategies and activities relating to planning and housing – two of the most important issues for London.

Through its Planning and Housing Committee, the Assembly examines the Mayor's Spatial Development Strategy (`The London Plan') and London Housing Strategy.

The Mayor must consult the Assembly on these statutory strategies and respond to any comments submitted to him before they are published for wider consultation.

The committee reviews his proposals, meets with experts to gather information, and suggests amendments and areas for improvement to the Mayor. This is particularly important whenever the Mayor revises or implements his policies and priorities.

The committee also has a new role - to monitor the Mayor's exercise of his statutory powers over major strategic planning applications when London boroughs ask the Mayor for his views.

It can also investigate other important spatial development, planning and housing issues in London. Its work includes investigations into the future of London’s suburbs, the operation of Section 106 planning agreements and a review of the capital’s war memorials.