The London Assembly today agreed a formal amendment [1] to the Mayor of London’s draft consolidated budget offering specialist support to leaseholders and building owners so they can navigate their complex legal and financial situations.
A Building Safety Support Hub, presented both online and in-person, would run for three years and offer specialist support to leaseholders and building owners so they can navigate their complex legal and financial situations. The Hub would also offer specialist mental health support to leaseholders.
The proposal would cost £120,000 in year one, to be funded by the business rates reserve. It would cost £40,000 for the following two years in order to maintain the service. £20,000 to be taken from the business rates reserve in each of the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who proposed the amendment, said:
“Too many Londoners are living in fear over their building’s safety, whilst many leaseholders are also facing crippling bills.
“While the Building Safety Crisis needs to be addressed nationally there is no reason why the Mayor cannot provide a helping hand to Londoners navigate the complex legal and financial challenges, as well as offering essential mental health advice and support.
“The Mayor now faces a clear choice. He can take forward the proposals that the London Assembly has voted for to his final budget or explain why he is refusing to help.”
Zack Polanski AM, who seconded the amendment, said:
"The proposal for a Building Safety Support Hub is a welcome one and is a way to truly support Londoners who have - through no fault of their own - found themselves in an impossible situation due to the building safety crisis.
"I am pleased this Budget amendment passed in the Assembly today. The Government could and should do more, but it is right for us to push the Mayor to use his budget, and powers, to support Londoners in dealing with issues of building safety.
"It simply cannot be right for the people who live in homes to take the responsibility for the flaws from those who built them, or even sold them to them."
The full text of the formal budget amendment is here.
Notes to editors
- The amendment was approved by 12 votes for to 0 against.
- This meeting was the first part of a two-stage budget setting process. At the first stage amendments may be approved by simple majority and must be considered by the Mayor. The Mayor is under a duty to respond to this amendment when he presents his final budget to the Assembly at the 24 February 2022 Mayor’s Question Time meeting; the final budget may be amended by a two-thirds majority.
- The budget setting process is set out in Schedule 6 of the GLA Act 1999 (as amended).
- Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who proposed the amendment is available for interview – see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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