Act delivers new powers to promote a cleaner, greener, safer city

The capital's boroughs are set to receive a range of new powers to help improve the lives of their residents - thanks to a new Act steered through Parliament by London Councils.

The new powers will strengthen the ability of boroughs to tackle environmental nuisances - including fly posting and abandoned vehicles - as well as sensitive community issues such stricter licensing for sex establishments and the sale of sex videos.

These powers will come into effect on Wednesday 19 September as part of the ninth London Local Authorities Act, which received Royal Assent in July 2007. The Bill was drafted, and then steered through Parliament, by London Councils on behalf of all the capital's local authorities.

On the most part, these provisions were proposed by local authorities in response to concerns raised to councillors by their local residents.

Thanks to the new powers contained within the Act, Londoners can expect their councils to take direct action against individuals that ruin the local environment, such as incessant fly-posters, people that litter from their vehicles and illegal street traders. 

The Act also strengthens borough powers around sensitive licensing issues by introducing a new type of establishment in London - hostess bars which will be subject to licensing as sex establishments. The definition replaces the old 'near beer' premises, which were subject to less strict licensing requirements.

One of the key provisions allows a council (or several councils acting together) to designate an area as an enforcement action zone, where higher fines can be imposed for a number of environmental crimes such as littering or graffiti. This will help councils to clean up sensitive or problem areas for their communities.

London Councils has published a rough guide to the ninth London Local Authorities Act, explaining how each of the new provisions can work for councils and residents, which can be accessed below.

Commenting on the Act, Councillor Merrick Cockell, Chairman of London Councils, said:

"Thanks to the London Local Authorities Act 2007, Londoners can now expect their local council to take direct action against that small handful of individuals that incessantly blight their community. Many of the provisions contained within the Act were suggested by Londoners themselves, and London's local authorities are keen to use them in their work to provide a cleaner, greener, safer capital."

All provisions come into force on 19 September 2007, except where stated in the Rough Guide, and are only applicable to London.

One role of London Councils is to help promote private legislation on behalf of the boroughs. The latest example of this - the 9th London Local Authorities Bill - received Royal Assent in July, and is now the LLA Act 2007.

Like previous LLA Acts, London Councils played a leading role in steering the provisions through parliament to gain new powers to help London boroughs tackle a range of nuisances that adversely affect the local environment, and the quality of life of their residents.

For press enquiries please contact: Chris Hogwood on 020 7934 9757 Chris.hogwood@londoncouncils.gov.uk  Fax 020 7934 9777

For non-media enquiries contact: London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL  Tel 020 7934 9999 www.londoncouncils.gov.uk

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