About the GLA
A unique organisation, with a strategic citywide role
The GLA was created by the GLA Act of 1999 and formally established on 3 July 2000. The GLA Act of 2007 introduced additional and enhanced powers for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly in several areas including housing, planning, climate change, waste, health and culture.
Our three main areas of responsibility are:
- economic development and wealth creation
- social development
- environmental improvement.
These are underpinned by six statutory themes:
- equality of opportunity
- sustainable development
- health
- health inequalities
- climate change (covering both adaptation and mitigation)
- community safety.
Joining up London and building key partnerships
We focus on the opportunities a joined-up approach to governing London can bring to our great city. We also work with other organisations including the wider GLA group, local and central government and a range of other bodies from charities to private sector companies.
Building trust to develop and nurture these partnerships is key to our work. Our Staff Charter, detailed in the Strategic Plan, sets out the values we believe are crucial to our success:
- leadership
- accountability
- collaboration
- fairness
- integrity.
The Mayor and the London Assembly use these values to hold us to account for the work that we do in support of their roles as elected representatives of Londoners.
Our work is outlined in detail in the Strategic Plan.
