Councils in the capital have delivered an average Council Tax rise of 1.2 percent, less than half the national figure, according to figures released today by London Councils. The body, which represents all Councils in the capital, says London's local authorities have delivered … [Read more...]
Where have all the powers gone?
February 24, 2009 By
"More local powers". The cry goes up (yet again). A scattergun of ideal world "why oh why" pieces in national and London newspapers last week, made form (of a sort) by the Tories. But it can't happen, says former London Assembly Member Damian Hockney. Not really, not in the way … [Read more...]
House building ‘still strong in Wandsworth’
February 20, 2009 By
Figures published by Wandsworth Council show 1,080 new homes were completed during 2008, only 20 less than in 2007 when the housing market was at its peak. Council planning spokesman, Cllr Guy Senior, says developers are continuing to display confidence in the borough as a long term … [Read more...]
Council savings possible with smarter procurement
February 20, 2009 By
Councils could make greater savings and give council tax payers better value by improving their procurement processes, according to a report published yesterday. The Review of Arrangements for Efficiencies from Smarter Procurement in Local Government, carried out by Bill Roots, former … [Read more...]
Capital has 80,000 empty homes
February 16, 2009 By
Figures released last week show the capital has more than 80,000 homes lying empty. The figures, released by the Empty Homes Agency, show the number increased from 80,691 to 82,327 between 2007 and 2008 despite falling the previous year. Darren Johnson, who represents the Green … [Read more...]
Assembly approves Boris’s first budget
February 11, 2009 By
As widely expected, the London Assembly today voted to accept Boris Johnson's first Greater London Authority Budget. Under GLA rules the budget passes unless opposition Assembly Members can muster a two thirds majority of the 25-strong Assembly against it, a mathematical impossibility … [Read more...]
Cabbies protest over minicab ‘rank’
February 5, 2009 By
Hundreds of London taxi drivers have been demonstrating against a council scheme which allows licensed minicabs to queue for passengers around Leicester Square. Minicabs are normally only allowed to accept bookings via a licensed office, however a scheme endorsed by Westminster … [Read more...]
Mayor’s Budget – a good start, with more to come
February 3, 2009 By
In our final article in the Mayor's budget series, London Assembly Conservative Group Leader Roger Evans discusses why Boris Johnson's first budget is good for London and praises a new wave of GLA engagement with outer London. With Londoners facing job losses and rising prices, … [Read more...]
