Whitehall, the GLA and the Boroughs: what works and what doesnt

1
Whitehall, the GLA and the Boroughs what works
and what doesnt

• Tony Travers
• LSE

2
The post-2000 London government system

• Restoration of London-wide democratic government
• Local accountability for city-wide transport,
  economic development, planning, fire and (to some
  extent) police
• Elected mayor a major experiment
• A model designed to encourage co-operation
  between Mayor and Assembly

3
2005 the results

• Post-2000 arrangements broadly accepted
• no abolitionist party/movement
• The office of Mayor has not proved a failure
• no public resistance to office
• some might even argue a success
• The Assembly has proved more difficult to achieve
  effectiveness
• Boroughs have, with memorable exceptions,
  accommodated the Mayor

4
Central government

• Different degrees of willingness to cede powers
  to GLA
• ODPM/Downing St were in favour of greater powers
• Transport broadly supportive
• Home Office less enthusiastic
• GOL has continued to operate, with no diminution
  of role, size
• some concern
• Growing support since 2000 as system has matured

5
Within the GLA - 1

• Mayor/Mayors office
• development of powerful Mayors Office
• different from (bigger) than 210 core envisaged
• hub of political power
• decisions transmitted directly to commissioners,
  staff
• need for formally-appointed Deputy Mayors?
• awkwardness of Assembly appointments
• Need to give Mayor power to appoint staff
• different pattern of appointments to TfL and LDA
  compared with MPA and LFEPA
• need for mayoral accountability for all?

6
Within the GLA - 2

• The Assembly
• key power is annual scrutiny of budget
• effectively undertaken
• 2/3 alternative budget requirement very high
• scrutiny role has proved more difficult
• size of Assembly (25) has consequences
• very small party groups
• excessive informality
• confusion of positions on MPA, LFEPA
• need for legislative power over Mayoral policy?

7
The Boroughs

• Now among Britains longest-established political
  institutions
• Some awkward relationships with the Mayor
• also some service overlaps
• Debate about number of boroughs
• Mayors views
• other indications (NHS, sub-regional
  institutions)

8
The 2005-06 Review

• More important/extensive than expected
• Opportunity to establish a more autonomous system
  of sub-central government in London
• Significant consensus about possible change
• Lessons for the rest of England
• Purpose must be better government

9
Whitehall, the GLA and the Boroughs what works
and what doesnt

• Tony Travers
• LSE