Boris Johnson’s plans for a new, combined agency to promote London come under scrutiny tomorrow when the London Assembly questions the agency’s interim Chief Executive and investigates its objectives, funding, staffing and assets.
In December the Mayor confirmed the merging of the Think London, Visit London and Study London agencies into a single entity following reductions in Government funding to the capital.
The Mayor says London & Partners would “play a vital role” in promoting the London, however he was only able to announce a “minimum” budget of £14m per year, scarcely more than the current £12m annual grant for Visit London.
Danny Lopez, currently a group director at the London Development Agency, has been announced as interim chief executive with responsibility for overseeing the merger.
A meeting of the Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee tomorrow will question Greater London Authority officials on the implications of funding the body out of the core GLA budget and will also be asking about the thinking behind the body.
Lopez will be questioned by Assembly Members alongside Jeremy Skinner from the GLA’s Economic and Business Police Unit.
AMs will also use the meeting to explore the potential benefits and risks of two mechanisms which could provide vitals funds for public schemes lacking central government funding.
The Budget and Performance Committee meeting will take place from 10am on Thursday, 3 March in Committee Room 5 at City Hall and is open to the public. The meeting will also be webcast via london.gov.uk
