London News and Comment
Unsurprisingly the latest set of revelations about the Met’s conduct and failures during its investigation of Stephen Lawrence’s murder have further damaged the force’s standing and reputation and, inevitably, the public’s trust in the force.
London Assembly members say the Mayor should set out the circumstances in which he’ll use his power to decide planning applications rather than allow local councils to decide if schemes can go ahead.
Government reforms to the NHS have left the capital’s health services without much-needed strategic leadership according to evidence heard by the London Assembly.
Met bosses have been urged to drop plans to buy three water cannon and instead purchase ‘sound cannon’ devices which emit a targeted, high pitched noise to dispel crowds.
Boris Johnson is considering asking Government Ministers to allow him to treble the number of appointments he’s allowed to make to the capital’s fire authority (LFEPA). The Mayor also wants Ministers to cut the number of Assembly Members and Councillors who sit on the 17-strong authority.
Tube union RMT is to ballot members working at Tube Lines’ Northfields Depot in a dispute over the “wholesale abuse” of agreements and procedures. The former PPP contractor was bought by Transport for London in 2010 but its operations have continued to be managed separately from London Underground.
