Mayor’s agency has key Brexit role, but must improve transparency

The Mayor of London's official promotional agency, London & Partners, has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability.



A London Assembly motion agreed today, says London & Partners is well placed to promote London, especially after the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, but the organisation must be made more transparent and accountable.

The Mayor of London needs to set London & Partners key performance indicators to justify its additional budget and to ensure that its success can be measured.

Dr Onkar Sahota AM, who proposed the motion said:

“Brexit could bring one of the biggest economic challenges our country and our city has seen in years. We have to do everything we possibly can to cushion London from any blow that Brexit may bring.

London & Partners plays a vital role in promoting the capital’s interests across the UK and across the Globe. It’s not just Londoners that will benefit from a strong, resilient London economy, but the whole country too. It’s essential that London & Partners carry out their role with greater transparency and accountability, and we’ll not let up until we’re sure that is happening.”

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who seconded the motion said:



“London & Partners has a vital job to do in continuing to promote London in a highly competitive world. We should not be complacent over the number of tourists that choose to visit London. We also can’t afford to be complacent with the number of international students that decide to study in London, or the number of international businesses that decide to invest in London.”

However, London & Partners’ important role is no excuse for secrecy as to how they operate. Public funding should lead to full public accountability.”



The full text of the motion is:



This Assembly recognises that the Mayor needs to promote London to mitigate the risks, and pursue alternative partnerships, associated with the UK’s decision to leave the EU.



We agree that London & Partners is well placed to promote London and we support the Mayor’s decision to increase its budget. However, our support is not without reservations; London & Partners must be able to demonstrate that it possesses the transparency and accountability essential for any organisation spending public money and the Mayor needs to set key performance indicators against this additional budget that can be used to measure its success.

This Assembly unanimously called on previous Mayors to ensure London & Partners abide by the principles of the GLA Group Corporate Governance Framework; to publish a register of gifts, expenses and hospitality for all board members and senior staff; proactively disclose information and to respond to requests for information as if they were covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and to provide the Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee with a full business plan during the course of its annual scrutiny of the Mayor’s budget.



We call on the Mayor to ensure that London & Partners take up the principles above and promote London with far greater transparency and accountability.