THE MAYOR OF LONDON

The Mayor of London and GLA initiatives on the environment

The Mayor of London and GLA initiatives on the environment

A brief review of the powers and responsibilities of GLA and the Mayor

The context for the review is recognition that in the five and a half years of its existence, the GLA has been a success. As the consultation document says, "The Government believes that the creation of the GLA has proved a resounding success, providing a voice for London and making a real and positive difference to the capital and to the quality of life of all Londoners".

Since the creation of the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London:

The London Plan has been published, providing a clear strategic direction for the capital;

a £10 billion investment programme in transport is underway, to give Londoners a twenty-first century transport system;

bus use in London has increased by one third since 1998;

the congestion charge has reduced congestion in London by 30 per cent;

police numbers in the capital have increased by nearly 8000 since 2001;

in partnership with the Government, a three-year childcare affordability programme has been established;

London has been selected to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Mayor's role as the executive of the strategic authority for London is to promote economic development and wealth creation, social development, and the improvement of the environment. The Mayor also has a number of other duties in relation to culture and tourism, including responsibility for Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. The Mayor has a range of specific powers and duties, and a general power to do anything that will promote economic and social development, and environmental improvement, in London. Before using many of his powers the Mayor must consult with Londoners, and in all cases, the Mayor must promote equality of opportunity.

The Greater London Authority Act 2007 supplemented and updated the GLA Act 1999 and granted some additional powers to the Mayor of London and the London. The Mayor's role as the executive of the strategic authority for London is to promote economic development and wealth creation, social development, and the improvement of the environment. The Mayor also has a number of other duties in relation to culture and tourism, including responsibility for Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square.

The Mayor has a range of specific powers and duties, and a general power to do anything that will promote economic and social development, and environmental improvement, in London. Before using many of his powers the Mayor must consult with Londoners, and in all cases, the Mayor must promote equality of opportunity. The Greater London Authority Act 2007 supplemented and updated the GLA Act 1999 and granted some additional powers to the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. The Mayor sets out plans and policies for London covering transport, planning and development, housing, economic development and regeneration, culture, health inequalities, and a range of environmental issues including climate change, biodiversity, ambient noise, waste disposal and air quality.

These individual plans fit together to help deliver the ...