London City Charter

This Charter is a voluntary agreement between London Councils and the Mayor of London, reflecting the aspirations of the Capital's government at regional and local level. Starting from the powers and duties of these institutions - the Greater London Authority, the London Boroughs and the City of London - it has as its key purposes: democratic leadership, the delivery or regulation of public service and the oversight of appointed service-providers. The people of London - residents, workers and visitors - are its intended beneficiaries.

The City Charter is arranged in three sections:

• section 1 covers the principles underlying the Charter; and the organisational arrangements for the London Congress and London Charter Board;
• section 2 comprises a set of possible areas for joint action relating to key priorities for London's elected government, agreed by the London Congress; and
• section 3 looks ahead to how this Charter can form the basis of a new relationship between elected London government and Whitehall.

This initial Charter is not a legal or quasi-statutory document. It is rather a statement that describes the current position, which reflects existing legislation and the established relationships between different spheres of government. It reflects the current level of devolution to local and regional government in London but also looks ahead to the next stages of devolution. In the longer term, the Charter might become the basis for a self determined framework, to be reflected in legislation for London's government.

The Charter is intended to be a living document that will develop as our unique system of local and regional governance in London evolves further.