Agenda item

Report of the Director of External Affairs

Contact: Dáire Basra; [email protected]; 020 7983 4033

The Committee is recommended to:

(a)  Note the proposals for the 2013 State of London Debate; and

(b)  Provide any views, ideas or suggestions on further ways to improve State of London as a consultative event.

8.1  The Committee received the report of the Director of Marketing.

8.2  The Chair stated that he felt that the proposals for the 2013 State of London Debate (SOLD) demonstrated a paucity of imagination and innovation and therefore reflected badly on the Authority as a whole. The Chair pointed to the low attendance of the previous (and similarly organised) SOLD event as evidence of a need to do more to change the approach. The Chair suggested that further work should be undertaken to engage younger people, that events should be held in the weeks preceding the debate and that consideration should be given to a greater involvement for the London Assembly. 

8.3  Caroline Pidgeon AM echoed the view that the Assembly should have a stronger role in the event, that the choice of venue was uninspired and that the 2013 SOLD event should aspire to the success of the 2009 SOLD event held at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster.  The Member added that this year's event could be the vehicle for proper debate and discussion on the Mayor's 2020 Vision and should make full use of exhibition space to fully engage the public.

8.4  Joanne McCartney AM suggested that the proposals did not allow for sufficient time for public debate. She added that this event represented an opportunity to engage the public and consideration be given to offering specific workshops and discussions with Mayoral Advisers, functional body commissioners and Assembly Members.

8.5  Resolved:

That the proposals for the 2013 State of London Debate and subsequent discussion be noted.