• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

Mayor Seeks ‘Return’ of London Grants Power

September 29, 2006 - Staff

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has written to Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, asking her to transfer control of London’s voluntary grants away from the Association of London Government to the Mayor’s Office.

The move comes just weeks after the Mayor warned the ALG against imposing cuts in the grants given to the many voluntary bodies which operate in the capital and ahead of an ALG meeting which Livingstone’s office say is expected to approve “massive funding cuts”.

In his letter to Ruth Kelly the Mayor suggests discussions should be held “regarding the transfer of the grants scheme back to city-wide London government, to the office of the Mayor of London” – the grants were previously under the control of the Greater London Council before that body was abolished by the Tories in 1986.

The full text of Mayor Livingstone’s letter to Mrs Kelly reads:

“I am deeply concerned about the future of grants in London following the recent decisions of the London Councils Grants Committee.

In recent weeks, some members of the Grants Committee have openly advocated significant budget cuts and there is backing for plans to break up the London-wide nature of the Committee’s role by “repatriating” resources to the boroughs with no guarantees of ringfencing to the voluntary sector.

Such plans would, by definition almost certainly mean that poorer areas lose vital funding and services.

As you know, the grants function now carried out by the boroughs was originally with strategic-wide London government until the abolition of the Greater London Council. Grants are allocated on a strategic basis and any proposed cuts or change in priorities would have London-wide implications and is therefore a matter of considerable concern to my office.

I would like to open discussions with you regarding the transfer of the grants scheme back to city-wide London government, to the office of the Mayor of London.

I have already guaranteed publicly that should the scheme be transferred I will not cut the overall budget, ending this atmosphere of instability and uncertainty for the voluntary and community sector and its beneficiaries.”

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

RECENT UPDATES

852 new homes to be built in Acton by Transport for London

HGV operators in London urged to apply for a Direct Vision Standard permit

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.