Influencing policy development

Our strategic representation on energy and CRC stepped up a gear in 2009/10. It's important that legislation and policy has a consistent response. It's also important that London's local authorities are heard within the policy and legislative debate.

LEP was the vehicle for two key consultations during 2009. We secured changes to new regulations, policy and practice by representing the interests of London local government in a strategic and coordinated manner. LEP arranged a roundtable with DECC and DCLG, which ensured that social housing was excluded from the scope of the CRC.

LEP, in collaboration with its strategic partners, entered a joint response to DECC's 3rd CRC consultation and DfE's consultation on Schools Finance Regulations and is consulting on the smart-meter programme roll-out (for further details on this please see our Smart metering key issues and impacts Opens in a new window fact sheet). We will continue to work with strategic partners, such as LGA and CIPFA in 2010 to best represent the interests of London's local authorities.

At this critical time of budget pressure and decreasing settlement grants, LEP is working with the Capital Ambition Efficiency Board to ensure that procurement and other savings and efficiencies are realistically reported and transparently measured by service providers and central government colleagues.
LEP's knowledge of strategic and operational local government issues, the value for money agenda and its interrelationship with the energy market and our stakeholders' input means London's public sector now has real influence and presents a coordinated response to change.

LEP is represented both at the working and governance levels of the Pan Government Energy Project, making sure that the interests of local government are represented and that the products and services offered by Central Purchasing Bodies are suitable for our sector. Additionally, we are working directly with suppliers to identify opportunities for both customers and suppliers to achieve efficiencies and savings, through innovation and changes to working practices. LEP is working with DECC and the Environment Agency to further simplify the CRC post CSR10 and to manage the impact of increased costs. Please see our CRC changes announced in CSR10 Opens in a new window fact sheet for further information.