MD3433 Approval of the updated GLA Group Corporate Governance Framework Agreement

1.1.    The GLA has a range of rules and guidelines in place, which can be viewed here.  The key governance documents are: 
•    the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (the GLA Act), which established the GLA; and subsequent legislation which impacts on its remit and responsibilities
•    the GLA’s Standing Orders and the ‘Mayoral Decision-Making in the Greater London Authority’ document, which set out the decision-making processes and scheme of delegation
•    the GLA Group Corporate Governance Framework Agreement (the Agreement), which is the subject of this decision form.
1.2.    The GLA reports on its compliance with its governance arrangements through the preparation of an Annual Governance Statement for submission to the external auditor. This Statement is reviewed by the Assembly each year prior to its sign-off by the Mayor, and its inclusion alongside the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts.
1.3.    The Agreement is made between the GLA and its functional bodies – the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC); the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC); Transport for London (TfL); the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the London Fire Commissioner (LFC). The GLA together with the functional bodies are collectively referred to as the GLA Group.
1.4.    The Agreement is a voluntary and firm commitment by the GLA’s elected members, the Mayor’s appointees, members of functional body boards, and officers, to be open, transparent and accountable for their actions and behaviour. It is also a commitment to hold to specific Mayoral and London Assembly expectations, set out below, and for the Group to interact in a way that enhances accountability and service delivery to Londoners.
1.5.    The Agreement is reviewed each Mayoral term. It was last reviewed in 2022 and approved under Mayoral Decision 2911. 
1.6.    This revised version of the Agreement has been reviewed and approved in principle by LLDC, OPDC, TfL, MOPAC and LFC. Each will be asked to provide formal approval of this Agreement, after it has been approved by the Mayor. Minor amendments have been incorporated to ensure the Agreement is up to date. A new section has also been added, covering the governance approach across the GLA Group. The Agreement was approved by the London Assembly at their meeting on 11 September 2025.

2.1.    Implementing the Agreement helps to demonstrate the commitment – made by the GLA’s elected members, the Mayor’s appointees, members of functional body boards, and officers – to be open, transparent and accountable for their actions and behaviour. As stated above, it is also a commitment to hold to specific Mayoral and London Assembly expectations, as set out in the Agreement; and for the GLA Group to interact in a way that enhances accountability and service delivery to Londoners.

3.1.    Section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010 provides that, in the exercise of their functions, public authorities must comply with the public sector equality duty which requires them to have due regard to the need to:
•    eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010
•    advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
•    foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
3.2.    The protected characteristics under section 149 of the Equality Act are: age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital or civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Compliance with the duty may involve ensuring people with a protected characteristic are provided with all the opportunities that those without the characteristic would have. 
3.3.    Considering the obligations under section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010, it is likely that there will be a positive impact upon protected groups in implementing the Agreement. This is because it ensures that the GLA Group is committed to interact in a way that enhances accountability and service provision to Londoners.
 

4.1.    The risks associated with possible gaps in the corporate governance requirements set down by this Agreement have been mitigated, via discussion and review by relevant officers, and then boards, of all organisations within the GLA Group. The Agreement contains provision for future reviews, to be led by the GLA’s Monitoring Officer each Mayoral term.
4.2.    There are no direct implications for GLA strategies arising from the content of this report. The Agreement supports the Mayor’s commitment to openness and transparency.
4.3.    There are no conflicts of interest to declare from any officer involved in the drafting or clearance of this Decision form.
 

5.1.    There are no direct financial implications arising from the content of this report. However, any improvements to the corporate governance regimes of the GLA Group may reduce the likelihood of inappropriate or fraudulent behaviour.
5.2.    Any costs that may arise from implementing the Agreement will be subject to further approval via the GLA’s decision-making process.
 

6.1.    The GLA and its functional bodies can establish governance arrangements that ensure resources are directed in accordance with agreed policy and according to priorities and statutory responsibilities. The GLA has a range of governance documents including the Standing Orders, Scheme of Delegation and the Code of Conduct for Members, as well as the Agreement.
6.2.    The content of the Agreement falls within the Assembly’s terms of reference, as well as the responsibility of the Mayor. The Assembly has considered and approved the document prior to its approval by the Mayor.