Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
London's politicians set out devolution priorities
London's local and regional politicians have this week written to Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles to set out a "united case" for enhancing the capital's devolution settlement and drawing down further powers from central government.
The letter, which has been signed by London Mayor Boris Johnson, London Assembly Chair Dee Doocey and London Councils Chair Mayor Jules Pipe, sets out the devolution priority for each signatory which the three say will "result in significant savings for the taxpayer through streamlined and more efficient government structures."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
"Too much is controlled by Whitehall and measured by standards that don't apply specifically to Londoners, meaning our devolution settlement has remained weak with much room for improvement, particularly where decisions should be taken by those in the local communities they affect."
Copy of full letter
The letter, which has been signed by London Mayor Boris Johnson, London Assembly Chair Dee Doocey and London Councils Chair Mayor Jules Pipe, sets out the devolution priority for each signatory which the three say will "result in significant savings for the taxpayer through streamlined and more efficient government structures."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
"Too much is controlled by Whitehall and measured by standards that don't apply specifically to Londoners, meaning our devolution settlement has remained weak with much room for improvement, particularly where decisions should be taken by those in the local communities they affect."
Copy of full letter
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ian Willmore on
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Interesting letter, and of course cross Party (Doocey is Lib Dem and Pipe is Labour).
One item of interest to HOs (is that the correct abbreviation?) is on p17 "Planning and public places":
"Regulations and guidance on licensing of public places should be rewritten to permit London boroughs to define classes of public place: so separating lap dancing clubs, betting shops from pubs and cafes; permitting boundaries on the extent and scale of late night drinking; and devolving the setting of license fees and management of their enforcement to London boroughs."
This would go some way to dealing with the betting shops proliferation issue. But I think some changes would be needed to planning rules as well.
There also needs to be a joint approach from these three when the Decentralisation and Localism Bill is published to promote some agreed amendments.
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