London boroughs have called on the next mayor to ‘reset’ the relationship between central Government and Britain’s cities and counties.
In a new report outlining what the capital’s local authorities want to see the next mayor working on, London Councils has argued that the most important task for Sadiq Khan’s successor is ‘to forge an ambitious new template for devolution’.
‘London government is not Whitehall and Londoners’ desire to take back control must be a part of the new national settlement that will be forged by Britain’s new Government,’ it states.
The next mayor should also deliver homes for Londoners, invest in infrastructure that is fit for a ‘21st century global city’, tackle congestion and pollution, and reverse the recent rise in violence, according to the report.
‘Mayors have delivered the congestion charge, the Olympics, and better air quality through the ultra-low emission zone,’ said Cllr Ruth Dombey, vice chair of London Councils.
‘Boroughs have delivered improved services despite significant reductions in staff and spending power.
‘The next Mayor of London must work with the London boroughs to meet the city’s challenges and deliver the urgent investment in services and infrastructure that all Londoners depend on - and deliver greater devolution from Whitehall to the Mayor and the boroughs.’
Cllr Peter John, chair of London Councils, commented: ‘The winner will be the face of London as we enter the third decade in which the city is represented and served by a strategic Mayor, and 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation.
‘Two decades of joint working have proven the strength of this form of combined democratic city leadership. We want that partnership to continue and to be strengthened over the next four years.’
