Pupil referral units

A pioneering project to improve the quality of education excluded children receive from the capital's pupil referral units (PRUs) was given a £525,000 boost by Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls last week. The three-year pan-London project, which is being spearheaded by London Councils, is a key priority for the capital's multi-agency London Youth Crime Prevention Board (LYCPB).

Read London Councils press release Opens in a new window

Contact: Caroline Dawes, principal project and policy officer, children and young people

Walking and cycling

Proposals to build on boroughs' successes in boosting the numbers of people walking and cycling in the capital were presented to London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee last week. Both reports will form part of a wider London Councils report on the issues boroughs would like to see addressed in the revised Mayor's Transport Strategy (MTS2). Borough walking and cycling initiatives are also due to be discussed in a seminar session organised by London Councils at the Integrated London '08 conference on 6 November.

Read Breaking down barriers to walking in London report Opens in a new window

Read Breaking down barriers to cycling in London report Opens in a new window

Read more about the Integrated Transport London 08 conference Opens in a new window

Contact; Ruth Bradshaw, head of infrastructure policy

Heathrow consultation

BAA has published the second stage of a consultation on the proposed Heathrow Airtrack Rail Link. London Councils is seeking borough views in response to the consultation proposals by 19 November 2008.

Read the consultation document (pdf file) Opens in a new window

Read London Councils circular on Heathrow Airtrack stage 2 consultation Opens in a new window

Read report on London Councils response to the first stage consultation Opens in a new window

Contact: Marisa Burnal, policy and project manager, infrastructure

London on Film

A new publication highlighting the role played by boroughs' and the Mayor of London's film offices in promoting the capital as an iconic location for filmmakers from around the world has been produced by London Councils and Film London. New powers under the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act that permit London roads to be closed for filming came into force in September.

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Read more about the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2008 Opens in a new window

London Bulletin magazine

The November/December issue of London Bulletin magazine is being mailed out to subscribers this week and is now available to read online. Features in this issue include; a look at boroughs' work on tackling youth violence, the capital's cultural improvement programme, what councils can do to rescue the housing market and a special focus on the winning projects in the 2008 Andy Ludlow Homelessness Awards.

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Contact: Ian Mitchell, publishing manager

By-election

Liberal Democrat Linda Chung has been elected to represent the Hampstead Town ward in Camden at a by-election following the resignation of the Conservative Mike Greene.

Read the by-election result in full Opens in a new window