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London Councils welcomes Mayor’s change of mind on Capital Moves
London Councils welcomes the Mayor's decision to drop his plans to change the number of homes going into the London wide choice and mobility service Capital Moves.
At a meeting of London boroughs' leaders yesterday afternoon London Mayor Ken Livingstone agreed to change his suggested figure to that suggested by the authorities.
Now five per cent of existing lettings will go into a pool of homes to be shared across all London boroughs, instead of the earlier suggestion of 25 percent. A significant percentage of new homes, including those from large strategic sites, will also go into the Capital Moves scheme.
This move will allow boroughs to gradually introduce the new Capital Moves scheme. Local residents will see the benefits of increased London mobility and choice, whilst having their own local housing needs met.
Commenting on Mr Livingstone's change of view London Councils Executive Member for Housing Councillor Jamie Carswell said:
"We welcome Mayor Ken Livingstone's move to work with the boroughs. The boroughs have had years of 'hands on' experience of housing mobility and meeting local housing need, it is great news for Londoners that the Mayor has acknowledged this.
As the main drivers of the London-wide choice and mobility service Capital Moves, London Councils is committed to its success and wants to help tenants and others move across London. The Mayor's step back from his previous position now clears the way for us to work closely with him to put in place a successful service where people can gain access to new housing and move more easily across the capital."
Notes to editors
The Mayor's housing strategy was launched 18 September 2007. For more information, please visit www.london.gov.uk Opens in a new window
For background on London Councils' lobbying around the Mayor's strategy, please visit:http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/housingstrategy
For press enquiries please contact: Holly Sutton on 020 7934 9842 Holly.Sutton@londoncouncils.gov.uk Fax 020 7934 9769
For non-media enquiries contact: London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL Tel 020 7934 9999 www.londoncouncils.gov.uk
