Assembly hosts discussion & debate on the future of Mayoral scrutiny in the UK
In its 25th Anniversary year, the London Assembly is holding a landmark conference with the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny on the future of devolved Mayoral scrutiny.
The Government’s legislation and policy work on English Devolution is moving at pace, creating new and upgraded Mayoral systems and models for scrutiny across the country. As Mayoral powers have grown, the one-day event at City Hall will provide a forum to reflect on the experience of Mayoral and sub-national scrutiny so far, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The conference will involve scrutiny practitioners (both elected and officials) from across England, as well as colleagues in government, academia, and civil society.
The conference will be addressed by Len Duvall OBE AM, Chair of the London Assembly, Rt Hon. the Lord Heseltine CH, Nik Johnson, former Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Lord Evans of Guisborough, former Assembly Member and Deputy Mayor.
Highlights will include panels and workshops on:
- UK Government reforms to devolved mayoral scrutiny: a developing picture
- Role of elected Members in financial governance and audit
- Local Public Accounts Committees: a potential model for future mayoral accountability
Len Duvall OBE AM, Chair of the London Assembly, said:
“The London Assembly has been a crucial check and balance on the country’s most powerful elected politician and his over £20bn budget, for a quarter of a century. It has also been an important enabler of good Government.
“As Mayoral powers grow across the UK, this conference will lead the conversation on how Mayoral scrutiny will evolve over the coming years. How can increasingly powerful Mayors be properly held to account? Can the scrutiny of Mayors improve across the country? What are the new challenges facing the devolved regions? How can the public have confidence that their money is being well spent?
“These, and more questions will be discussed and debated, with input from some real experts in the field.”
The event will take place on Thursday 27 November 2025 from 11am-5pm in London’s Living Room at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media are invited to attend by prior arrangement. See contact details below.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- The Greater London Authority (GLA) was established on July 3rd, 2000, following a local referendum. It consists of two political branches: the executive mayoralty and the London Assembly, a 25-member cross party body tasked with holding the Mayor to account.
For more details, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 or at [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.