Borough leaders re-elect Cllr Merrick Cockell as London Councils Chairman 

Continuing to make London's case for additional government funding and forging closer relationships between the boroughs and the Mayor of London are among the top priorities for Councillor Merrick Cockell in his third year as Chairman of London Councils.

Cllr Cockell, Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, was re-elected as London Councils Chairman at a meeting of borough leaders today (Tuesday). The meeting also appointed the London Councils multi-party executive.

Among Cllr Cockell's priorities for London Councils over the coming year are to ensure all Londoners can take advantage of the opportunities the capital offers; lobby for adequate resources and powers to enable boroughs to improve the quality of life for their residents; and further develop the City Charter agreement with the Mayor of London to help provide better services to the public across all of London government.

He will also seek to build on the organisation's successes over the last year. These include leading the debate to ban single use shopping bags in London; championing a new housing vision for the capital; and delivering a new range of powers through the London Local Authorities Act 2007 to help make the capital a cleaner and safer place.