The London Assembly: Holding the Mayor to account every day

The London Assembly Annual Report - which details the work of 25 Assembly Members during the last financial year, is published today.

The publication also lists some of the Assembly’s achievements during the year, which include:

• The GLA Oversight Committee produced a report highlighting a series of procedural breaches in the Garden Bridge procurement process.
• Highlighted concerns over emissions testing, before the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal broke and the true extent of the problem became globally known.
• The Budget and Performance Committee highlighted a five year delay to the TfL Sub-Surface Upgrade Programme (SSUP) and the £900 million impact on TfL’s budget.
• In 2014 the Assembly concluded the Met had not made a convincing case for why water cannon were needed. Subsequently, the Home Secretary blocked their use the new Mayor announced they would be sold.
• The Transport Committee recommendations to halve the eligibility time for passengers to claim compensation for train delays were implemented.
• The Budget and Performance Committee influenced Transport for London’s decision to retrofit opening windows on new Routemaster buses, following public complaints that the buses were too hot.
• The Regeneration Committee successfully lobbied the London Legacy Development Corporation to release details on the contract for the new West Ham Stadium.

‘Holding the Mayor to account every day’^[1] details how the Assembly looked at the actions of the Mayor, and examined the finances and performance of the Greater London Authority (GLA) group.^[2]

The Band D council tax contribution towards the cost of the London Assembly is less than £1 a year.

Chair of the Assembly during 2015/16, Jennette Arnold OBE AM said:

“The Annual Report is our accountability document to Londoners. Some of you may be unaware of our activities but rest assured Assembly Members take their roles very seriously and we work hard every day to represent the residents of this great city.

Much of the detailed work last year focused on supporting vulnerable groups of people. This is important work for London, with its diverse communities and contrasts of wealth and poverty.

During 2015/16, our committees produced 29 reports covering topics addressing issues as diverse as night-time policing, student accommodation, motorcycle safety and childcare provision.

The Mayor has to answer to Londoners at the ballot box every four years. The job of the London Assembly is to ensure that the Mayor is held accountable every day.”