COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (195) issued by The Government News Network
on 23 October 2007
More strategic
powers for the Mayor of London in key areas ranging from climate
change to housing to culture have become law today as the Greater
London Authority (GLA) Act received Royal Assent.
The Act brings into law a broad package of additional powers for
the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.
The Act builds on the success of the GLA since its creation in
2000 to give the Mayor new lead roles in housing and tackling
climate change, strengthened powers over planning and waste, and
enhanced powers in health and culture.
Under the provisions of the GLA Act 2007 the Mayor will:
*
Publish a London housing strategy, setting out his strategic
housing investment priorities for London;
* Be able to
determine planning applications of strategic importance in
London;
* Publish a strategy for reducing health inequalities
between Londoners;
* Be subject to a duty to address climate
change, and publish a London climate change mitigation and energy
strategy and an adaptation to climate change strategy for London.
The Assembly will also be subject to a duty to address climate
change, and will be able to hold confirmation hearings in order to
scrutinise candidates for key appointments the Mayor intends to make.
The Act also allows the establishment of a London Waste and
Recycling Board to promote the production of less waste in the
capital and encourage recycling and re-use of waste.
Local Government Minister, John Healey, said:
"The
package of enhanced powers for the Mayor and Assembly in this Act
is great news for London.
"The Mayor provides the strong, visible and accountable
leadership London needs as a world city to meet the challenges
ahead. This Act gives the Mayor more powers to make a positive
difference to Londoners' lives - meeting the challenge of
providing more affordable housing; taking a more strategic
approach to planning in the capital; and leading the fight against
climate change. And it offers the Assembly more bite to scrutinise
the Mayor on behalf of Londoners."
Notes to Editors
1. To view the Act in full please visit: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2007a.htm
2. The provisions in the Act will be brought into force in three
stages. The budget provisions (sections 12-16) will commence
shortly after Royal Assent in order to apply to the budget setting
round for the 2008-09 GLA budget. Most other provisions will come
into force early in the New Year except for those on development
control (sections 31-36), the London Waste and Recycling Board
(section 38) and the Museum of London (sections 45 and 47-49),
which will come into force in early April 2008.
3. The detailed operational aspects of the Mayor's new
development control powers will be set out in secondary
legislation, and will be subject to public consultation before
being finalised.
4. The Mayor's new role in adult skills and employment in
London is set out in the Further Education and Training Act 2007.
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