Key information
Decision type: Assistant Director
Reference code: ADD412
Date signed:
Decision by: Sam Hart, Head of Media
Executive summary
On Tuesday 22 March 2016 a series of explosions took place in Brussels, this terrorist attack resulted in a number of fatalities and injuries. To show solidarity in light of these terrible events, the GLA on behalf of the Mayor of London and London Assembly, and working with HM Government and the Belgian Embassy, arranged to light a series of London landmarks with the Belgian flag colours on the evening of Wednesday 23 March. On Thursday 24 March a vigil was held in Trafalgar Square attended by the Ambassador and Deputy Mayor.
Decision
That the Assistant Director of External Relations approves expenditure of up to £25,000 to cover the costs of projection onto the National Gallery and the creation of a flag on steps of the Trafalgar Square for the vigil.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
On Tuesday 22 March 2016 a series of explosions took place in Brussels resulting in a number of fatalities and injuries.
To show solidarity in light of these terrible events, the Mayor of London and London Assembly, working with HM Government and the Belgian Embassy, arranged to light a series of London landmarks with the Belgian flag colours on the evening of Wednesday 23 March.
On Thursday 24 March a vigil was held in Trafalgar Square attended by the Ambassador and Deputy Mayor to pay tribute to the victims of these terror attacks.
On Tuesday 22 March City Hall joined a number of Government buildings in the capital in flying the Union flag and the Belgian flag at half-mast.
On Wednesday 23 March a projection of the Belgian flag was beamed onto the National Gallery and the Trafalgar Square fountains were coloured red and gold. Working with other key London agencies and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, we arranged for the following London landmarks to also be lit with the colours of the Belgian flag.
o London Eye
o Wembley Stadium Arch
o Tower Bridge.
o The National Theatre
On Thursday 24 March a 25-metre silk flag was placed on the central staircase in Trafalgar Square ahead of a vigil organised in partnership with the Belgian Embassy between 6pm and 10pm. Members of the public attended to pay tribe and to leave flowers and light candles.
The cost of up to £25,000 for this project will be funded from the existing External Relations budget held within the External Affairs Directorate for 2015-16. All appropriate budget adjustments will be made.
The activity was planned and delivered in a three-day period and as such a single tender approach was taken, procuring a supplier from the TfL/GLA events framework. The framework does allow for single source procurement.
Signed decision document
ADD412 Solidarity with Brussels (signed) PDF