Parliamentary e-bulletin
Developing a Manifesto for Londoners
As part of the development of its Manifesto for Londoners, London Councils is inviting parliamentarians, key thinkers, and policy makers to consider how some of the capital's most pressing challenges might be met at a series of roundtable events. The events all take place at London Councils' Southwark Street building between 8 - 9.30am, and include:
- 21 July: Will devolution deliver the homes London?
- 8 September: Looking after London - commissioning health and social care
- 15 September: Keeping the capital safe
- 17 September: Getting London working
If would like to take part in any of these roundtable discussions, or would like additional information, please let us know by emailing Oliver Hatch.
Autumn party conferences
London Councils is joining forces with the Urban Hub to run a series of fringe events at this year's autumn political conferences. As part of the Urban Hub programme of activities, London Councils are hosting invitation-only roundtable discussions at each conference which will bring together council leaders and cabinet members, ministers and shadow ministers, and other key decision-makers to help develop our Manifesto for Londoners.
Read more about the autumn conferences.
London Councils Primary School Shortage Campaign
In April London Councils launched its do the maths campaign to highlight the huge shortage of primary school reception places in London. The government has now announced that £200 million of capital funding will be made available nationally to local authorities with an exceptional need for additional primary school places. London Councils welcomes this funding, but warns that it will not be enough to address London's acute and long term need.
Read more on the do the maths campaign.
Safeguarding London Children
The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families last week made a series of announcements on the safeguarding of vulnerable children. London Councils has developed two key pieces of guidance to support local authority Lead Members and Leaders in fulfilling their safeguarding responsibilities, and a programme of work is underway to improve multi-agency working in London.
Read more about safeguarding children.
Business Rate Supplements Act
The Business Rate Supplements (BRS) Bill has now finished its passage through Parliament, and received Royal Assent on 2 July. London Councils has lobbied on the bill as London boroughs will be collecting the levy from 2010. Although there is still work to done in setting up the collection systems, a number of useful assurances were secured while the bill was in Parliament.
