We are on the threshold of a new era in London's governance with the Mayor of London on course to be granted extra powers over a number of policy areas that affect public service delivery in the capital. Whatever the final outcome of the Government's review of the ~Greater London Authority~ rsquo;s powers, regional government looks set to be significantly enhanced, enabling it to better meet the capital's unique needs and challenges. London boroughs unanimously support extra strategic powers for the mayor on areas such as housing and learning and skills. Transferring the responsibilities of the London housing board to the mayor and giving him decision-making powers over investment in new supply will enable resources to be targeted more effectively to address London's acute housing needs, particularly overcrowding and high numbers of homeless households. Similarly, there is a strong case for giving the mayor more control over learning and skills, which needs to be planned and managed regionally to make it more responsive to the needs of London's economy. We in the ALG support the establishment of a single regional body in London for learning and skills and for the mayor to have a greater say in the strategic direction of this, with input from boroughs. However, if the mayor is granted extra powers over areas such as housing, we would like to see extra checks and balances in place to ensure local government is properly represented on London-wide strategic bodies. We propose borough representatives, appointed through the ALG, should sit on these bodies to help increase democratic accountability in London by giving them some influence over the strategic decision-making process. In addition, there are some areas where London boroughs feel it would not be appropriate for the mayor to be given substantial additional powers – in planning, for example. The planning system in London is delivering well and there is no evidence to justify major changes to current arrangements. Boroughs have faced criticism from the mayor over high refusal rates for planning applications. London boroughs are, in fact, granting permissions for house building well in excess of current London Plan targets: in 2004/05 they approved 51,477 applications– well above the target of 31,000. Also, on the issue of waste, boroughs acknowledge there is a need for the current system to work better but we do not support the creation of a single waste authority in London headed by the mayor. We believe this would result in a greater separation between waste collection and disposal and create difficulties in decision-making for issues such as recycling provision. We recognise, however, there that should be a strategic role for the mayor in a structure that allows a pan-London approach on this issue. We propose that a waste forum or non-statutory board is established to ensure national and regional targets are met, but which is also able to take account of local circumstances. Finally, we hope the GLA review will be the first step towards a proper constitutional settlement for London that looks at governance in a wider context. Current government thinking is moving towards more power for local government with the debate on ‘double devolution' highlighted by David Miliband last month gathering pace. The Commission on London Governance (a cross-party body set up by the ALG and London Assembly) sets out a vision for stronger local government in the capital to give Londoners more influence over how public services are governed. Good governance in London is reliant upon having the right balance of responsibilities between central government, the GLA and boroughs. This review must recognise that London boroughs have an excellent record of both delivering high quality services to their communities and also working together in the interests of all Londoners. That is why it is right that as strategic powers and responsibilities are devolved from central government to the mayor, the collective voice of London boroughs should be heard and thus influence the direction of those powers.

Sir ~Robin Wales~ is chair of the ~Association of London Government~ For the ALG's response go to: www.alg.gov.uk/glareview For the Commission's report go to: www.alg.gov.uk/clgreport