• Reference: 2016/4375
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

As paragraph 87 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that "As with previous Green Belt policy, inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances", do you agree that a London Borough should not be considering a course of action that ignores or destroys a protective covenant, when the land was originally procured to stop such developments happening; and that such covenants should be considered as added protection to the definition in the NPPF?

• Reference: 2016/4374
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

Is it the case that you, as Mayor, are the joint custodian of land bought with protective covenants for Health and Wellbeing by predecessor organisations such as Middlesex County Council, the former Greater London Council and Local London Authorities; and if so, do you consider is it appropriate for a Borough to remove protective covenants on such Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Spaces, which determine that they could only be used for sports and leisure by the community in perpetuity, so as to allow developments on the land not in keeping with such purposes, claiming "very special circumstances" ?

• Reference: 2016/4373
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

As the Government has now decided on the Heathrow option for further airport capacity, what action do you now propose to take; and will you participate in the legal action being considered by a number of local authorities against the scheme?

• Reference: 2016/4372
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

More than 1,200 modern slavery victims were identified in London, but the Metropolitan police recorded only 248 crimes according to the first official review of how law enforcement agencies respond to the crime of modern slavery by Kevin Hyland, the independent anti-slavery commissioner. Is this acceptable?

• Reference: 2016/4371
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

There has been widespread news coverage of a recent decision by the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) affecting rentals through AirBnB and , indeed, any other sub-letting of a whole flat. The key question the court considered was whether a temporary occupation of an entire property by an AirBnB guest is consistent with the definition of the property as 'a private residence' - and ruled it was not, thereby setting a legal precedent. You previously highlighted a window of opportunity for local authorities to discuss the issue further with you and for the GLA to discuss it with AirBnB. Can you...

• Reference: 2016/4370
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

Further to Question No: 2016/3941 The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) published the third quarter results of its Capital 500 Quarterly Economic Survey including a conclusion that, 6% of companies decreased investment in plant and equipment, a Capital 500 record-low. And that against the backdrop of rising costs and staling investment indicators, the Mayor of London should work with business groups to assess the potential impacts of significant new ratings on London businesses across differing boroughs and across various sectors. Will you do so? Your response being: Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly. Will...

• Reference: 2016/4369
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

Further to Question No: 2016/3929 Further to Question No: 2016/3376 What assessment have you made of the potential impact on London of a business rate revaluation? Your response being: 'It is difficult to predict with certainty the precise impact of the business rate revaluation in London. Forecasts suggest that the total in London could increase by around 10% £700 million but the precise details will not be known until the valuations for each property are published by the Valuation Office on 30 September. These assumptions were reflected in my predecessor's final budget. The largest increases are likely to be in...

• Reference: 2016/4368
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

What are you doing to remind businesses that face swingeing increases in business rates to go to the VOA website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency/ to check the basis of their new rateable value, as they have only until 30 November 2016 to challenge it?

• Reference: 2016/4367
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

In the light of estimated uplifts of nearly 30% in business rates what steps are you taking to encourage London businesses to check their new values?

• Reference: 2016/4366
• Question by: Andrew Dismore
• Meeting date: 16 November 2016

Do you agree with the Creative Industries Federation, that the success of London's creative industries is at risk due to possible post-Brexit restrictions on free movement?