London Councils welcomes Mayor’s agreement to extend Fire Authority nominations

Speaking on the extension of the London Councils appointments to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said:

"I am pleased that all parties are acting sensibly around the decision to extend the tenure of all London Councils' nominations to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

"This will enable the Authority to have continuity until its membership provisions change following the passage of the GLA Bill. This is particularly important given the critical nature of this service to Londoners and at a time when the Authority will be moving to appoint a new Fire Commissioner.

"We acted with fairness and transparency in selecting our eight nominations for the Fire Authority's Board.  We are keen to increase the representation of all minority groups and look forward to working with the Mayor to strengthen the selection process for all nominations to achieve this end. "

London Councils nominated eight councillors to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. Nominations were submitted on 23 May 2007, they were:

Cllr. John Whelan (Con); Cllr. Colin Tandy (Con); Cllr. Maurice Heaster (Con); Cllr. Rebekah Gilbert (Con); Cllr. Liaquat Ali (Lab); Cllr. Navin Shah (Lab); Cllr. Betty Evans -Jacas (Lab); and Cllr. Ed Butcher (Lib Dem).

On Friday, 15 June - two days before nominations were due to close - the Mayor faxed London Councils chairman, Councillor Merrick Cockell at 3.31pmto inform him that he was rejecting councillors Butcher, Heaster, Tandy  and Whelan - all  but one of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat nominations and all white men.

On Sunday, 17 June, London Councils expressed their disappointment at the Mayor's decision and warned that they would be seeking legal advice on whether the Mayor's actions could be overturned.

On 20 June the Mayor reversed his decision and accepted all of the London Councils nominations - but only until 31 August. However the Mayor has now agreed to extend all eight nominations until one month after the coming into force  of new membership provisions for the LFEPA in the GLA Bill currently before Parliament or after one year  (from 17 June 2007) whichever is the sooner

For more information please contact Christopher Hogwood in the London Councils press office on 020 7934 9757 or at Christopher.hogwood@londoncouncils.gov.uk.