Assembly votes on 12 key issues for London

Secure funding for Notting Hill Carnival required

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion that Notting Hill Carnival should remain in the community where it was founded and has grown over six decades. It believes proposals to provide sustainable, multi-year funding for the Carnival, should be brought forward.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM, who proposed the motion, said:

"Notting Hill Carnival belongs in Notting Hill.

“It's time we stopped treating it as an annual problem to be managed and started treating it as the treasured national institution it is, with the long-term funding and certainty it needs to keep Londoners dancing through these streets for the next 60 years."

James Small-Edwards AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“For 60 years, Notting Hill Carnival has been a defining part of London’s cultural life and a source of pride for the communities that created it. It belongs in Notting Hill, and we should be giving organisers the certainty they need to plan for its future there.

“An up-to-date assessment of the Carnival’s economic, cultural and social value, alongside sustainable multi-year funding, would help allow organisers plan properly for the years ahead.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

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After Palantir, Assembly calls for greater investment in British businesses

The Assembly has called on the Mayor to support greater investment in British-based alternatives to major overseas technology suppliers, and to write to Government urging it to apply those principles to major public-sector technology and data contracts.

Benali Hamdache AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“When we’re awarding public contracts, we should be backing British businesses and making sure public money is being spent in the public interest.

“We shouldn’t be handing more and more of our data and infrastructure to controversial companies like Palantir when there are ethical alternatives we can invest in.”

Gareth Roberts AM, who seconded the motion, said:

"London cannot afford to hand our most sensitive public data and critical services to a single overseas tech giant.

“This motion backs British businesses and demands the transparency, accountability and social value that should come before chasing the cheapest deal.

“Ethics and trust must matter as much as cost when deciding who gets access to Londoners' NHS records and policing data."

MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Zikmund on 07860 647 577/ [email protected]

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Time for urgent action over illegal waste sites

The London Assembly has called for urgent action on dealing with illegal waste sites and for a permanent clean-up of Arnold’s Field and Launders Lane sites in particular.

The Assembly notes the long-standing impact of the site on Rainham residents and is urging the Government to provide funding for its remediation.

Andrew Boff AM who proposed the original motion, said:

"Residents in Havering have been subjected to years of health concerns and toxic chemicals as a result of the failure to deal with Launders Lane.

“I am pleased that the Assembly has supported my motion, and I hope the Government will now listen and add the site to its programme of Government-funded clean-ups.

Local residents should not be expected to foot the bill for clearing up this mess. That we are still in this position after so many years of inaction is a scandal."

Keith Prince AM who proposed the amendment to the motion, said:

“Residents in Rainham have suffered from Launders Lane for far too long, so I am pleased the Assembly backed my amendment.

“Havering Council is already taking action, and this vote makes clear that we must be at the table when the future of the site is discussed. This is about working together and finally securing the permanent solution residents deserve.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

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Leave planning decisions with local authorities, not the Mayor

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion calling on the Mayor to write to Government to remove the Mayor of London’s call-in powers for planning applications of 50 homes or more.

Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion, said:

"London’s Green Belt is under threat from plans for 56,100 homes that should instead be directed towards brownfield land.

“I am particularly concerned that the Mayor will be able to call in developments above a certain size, overriding decisions made locally.

“Planning decisions should be taken as close as possible to the communities they affect: local authorities and their elected planning committees are best placed to judge what development is appropriate for their area.

“I hope the Mayor will now listen to the Assembly and respect local decision-making."

MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Zikmund on 07860 647 577/ [email protected]

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Concern over changes to local government funding

The Assembly has today expressed concern over proposed changes to the local government funding formula, which, if enacted, will penalise low-tax London councils.

It is calling on the Mayor to stand up for Londoners by publicly opposing the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s proposed tax reforms, and to write to them to that effect.

Alex Wilson AM, who proposed the motion, said:

"The London Assembly has today expressed its concern that the new Prime Minister and Chancellor are looking into tax reforms that will harm Londoners more than anyone else in Britain.

“Recognising that London is already the highest contributor to the public purse by region, the Assembly has passed my motion calling for the Mayor to stand up to Andy Burnham and oppose his tax raid on London."

MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

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Calls for action against political violence and intimidation

The London Assembly has today called for urgent action against alleged political violence and intimidation, raising concerns about the activist group ‘Bash Back’ and urging the Government to consider further measures against the organisation.

Alex Wilson AM who proposed the motion, said:

“In the wake of the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe and remembering those of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, it's reassuring that the London Assembly has passed my motion calling for serious action to be taken against the group Bash Back and its alleged vile tactics of fear and intimidation.

“The passing of this motion signifies that no matter our political differences, we stand united against intimidation, violence and extremism in public debate.

“I hope the Home Secretary takes note of the Assembly's decision and acts to protect both the public and politicians."

MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Zikmund on 07860 647 577/ [email protected]

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Councils condemned for non-cooperation with the Home Office

In July this year, Lewisham Council became the first local authority in the country to refuse co-operation with Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

Lambeth, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Southwark and Haringey Councils have all adopted the same position.

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion condemning the decision to refuse co-operation with Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

Keith Prince AM, who proposed the motion, said:

"Immigration enforcement is a national responsibility and effective cooperation between local authorities and the Home Office is required to ensure the law is applied consistently and vulnerable people are protected, rather than adopting ridiculous activist-driven policies.

“Where a local authority changes its approach to working with the Home Office, it is reasonable to understand what operational impact that may have and to ensure responsibilities remain clear.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

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Protect Councillor ‘call-in’ powers for local decisions

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion calling for the Mayor to work with Council’s across London to lobby Government to scrap the plans to change planning application approvals, and keep local applications decided by elected officials.

Keith Prince AM, who proposed the motion, said:

"Londoners rightly expect their local councillors to play a role in representing residents’ views on planning decisions that directly affect their communities.

“The Government’s changes to the national scheme of delegation for local planning are a draconian overreach and reduce public trust, transparency and in-turn weaken elected officials’ ability to represent their communities.

“I am pleased that the London Assembly is standing up for the rights of local councillors across London.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Zikmund on 07860 647 577/ [email protected]

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Assembly supports a dedicated Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis

The London Assembly has called on the Mayor, Government and London councils to work together to strengthen London's resilience to extreme weather.

The Assembly also supports designating 15 July as a Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis, and urges the Mayor to do the same.

Caroline Russell AM who proposed the motion, said:

“Climate resilience cannot be an afterthought. We should be planning ahead instead of reacting once temperatures are already soaring.

“We are already seeing more frequent and dangerous heatwaves and wildfires and there is the very real risk of food shortages as extreme weather hits crop production.

“This motion calls on the Mayor to push for the funding needed to deliver his Heat Plan and for us to prepare for a stronger winter storm season and another hot summer.

“London and Londoners need to be equipped for what is coming rather than waiting passively for the next emergency.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

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Assembly lobbies the Mayor to support Colne Valley Regional Park

Colne Valley Regional Park (CVRP) was founded in 1965 and covers 43 square miles of high-quality green spaces, blue spaces, and biodiversity.

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion aligning itself with the Regional Park’s six objectives and calls on the Mayor to submit the Greater London Authority as a Member Organisation of the CVRP, joining the likes of the National Trust, Natural England, and Thames Water.

Bassam Mahfouz AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“Colne Valley Regional Park is a vital green space for west London, giving people access to nature while providing an important home for wildlife and helping make our city more resilient to climate change.

“The Greater London Authority becoming a member of the Regional Park would strengthen its work to protect and improve this unique landscape and help ensure it Londoners have a more direct say in its upcoming for generations to come.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Zikmund on 07860 647 577/ [email protected]

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Assembly condemns ‘anti-growth’ plans for pubs in the West End

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion condemning the plans to limit ‘vertical drinking’, curb ordering at the bar, and enact a ‘core hours’ policy creating an assumed closing time of 11pm for most licensed venues.

James Small-Edwards AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“Soho and the West End are at the centre of London’s night-time economy, and pubs, bars and other venues should not face unnecessary restrictions that make it harder for them to survive and grow.

“With new strategic licensing powers coming to the Mayor, we need to make sure the capital’s licensing system supports our hospitality sector and protects what makes areas like Soho such an iconic part of London.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

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Protect healthcare workers from abuse after huge rise in incidents

Between 2020 and 2025, there was a 252% increase in enquiries to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in London relating to incidents of violence and abuse, as well as a rise in racist abuse experienced by nursing staff.

The London Assembly has today called for action to tackle violence, abuse and intimidation against healthcare workers across the capital.

Krupesh Hirani AM who proposed the motion, said:

“No one should face violence, threats or abuse simply for doing their job, yet healthcare workers across London are experiencing completely unacceptable behaviour while caring for others.

“That's why we have called for a clear message across London that abuse of healthcare staff will not be tolerated, alongside proper support for workers to report incidents and confidence that serious cases will be investigated and acted upon.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Daniel Zikmund on 07860 647 577/ [email protected]