FOI - Deputy Mayor Coban [May 2025]

I am requesting the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) regarding the international travel expenses of Mete Coban in his role as London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy:

1. A breakdown of all international travel expenses incurred by Mete Coban since his appointment to this role (including flights, accommodation, meals, per diems, and any other associated costs).
2. The justification for each trip, including the purpose, expected outcomes, and whether these were met.
3. Any internal assessments or evaluations regarding the necessity and impact of these trips.
4. Communications (emails, memos, or meeting notes) related to the approval of these trips.

Response

A breakdown of all international travel expenses incurred by Mete Coban since his appointment to this role (including flights, accommodation, meals, per diems, and any other associated costs).

Mete Coban MBE became the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy in July 2024 and has travelled overseas in his official capacity on the following two occasions in that time:

• December 2024 France – Breathe Cities
• March 2025 Colombia – World Health Organization's Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health.

Travel costs incurred by the GLA for the trip to France are detailed in the Foreign Travel Approval (FTA) forms attached.

The accommodation costs in Paris were covered by a third party and the details have been declared under the register for Gifts and Hospitality | London City Hall

The GLA did not incur travel and accommodation expenses for the trip to Colombia as the costs were covered by a third party. These details have been declared under the register for Gifts and Hospitality | London City Hall

Any other expenses would be published in due course at Mete Coban MBE | London City Hall . Expenses for members and senior staff are also reported to Audit Panel.

The justification for each trip, including the purpose, expected outcomes, and whether these were met.

I can confirm that the GLA holds information in scope of your request. The justification and purpose of both trips are captured in the Foreign Travel Approval (FTA) forms, copies of which are attached. The GLA does not hold a record of the expected outcomes or their evaluation.

Any internal assessments or evaluations regarding the necessity and impact of these trips.

I can confirm that the GLA holds information in scope of your request, as with our response to part 2, this information is captured in the Foreign Travel Approval (FTA) forms.

Communications (emails, memos, or meeting notes) related to the approval of these trips.

I can confirm that the GLA holds information in scope of your request. The GLA has a form and process for approval. Please find attached the emails and forms related to the approval for the trips to take place.

Please note that the names of some members of staff are exempt from disclosure under s.40 (Personal information) of the Freedom of Information Act. This information would identify specific employees and as such constitutes personal data which is defined by Article 4(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to mean any information relating to an identified or identifiable living individual. It is considered that disclosure of this information would contravene the first data protection principle under Article 5(1) of GDPR which states that Personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.