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Greater London Authority Act receives Royal Assent

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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