Children’s Minister Ed Timpson to address capital care conference
Children’s Minister Ed Timpson MP will give the keynote address at the annual conference for professionals involved with caring for vulnerable children in the capital, London Councils revealed today.
The London Care Services conference, organised by London Care Services (LCS), showcases outstanding services for children with special educational needs and children looked after away from home in special schools, residential and foster care.
Freedom Pass holders reminded to update their address if they move home
A poster campaign has been launched to remind Freedom Pass holders to let London Councils know when they move home.
London Councils runs the Freedom Pass, Europe’s most comprehensive travel scheme, on behalf of all the London boroughs. The Freedom Pass allows older and eligible disabled Londoners to free travel on the capital’s buses, trains, London Underground, trams, and the Docklands Light Railway as well as local buses across the country.
Have your say on whether lorries should fit extra cycle safety equipment
A public consultation is being launched on plans for the requirement of lorries in London to fit extra mirrors and side guards to try and reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists.
London Councils is asking boroughs, hauliers, cycling organisations, residents and other interested parties for their views about potentially changing the permission conditions of the London Lorry Control Scheme, to require heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to fit side guards and extra mirrors to help improve cycle safety
Anti-Social Behaviour and Mental Health
Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a priority for many community safety partnerships in London. ASB is also one of the three priority areas of focus for the London Crime Reduction Board this year. Boroughs have consistently raised the point that a sizable proportion of their ASB cases have a mental health dimension. Preventing and tackling ASB, and supporting people with mental health needs are two important areas of work for local authorities and their partners.
Heads of Human Resources
Local Government Finance Settlement 2014-15: Consultation Response by London Councils
Introduction
1. London Councils welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Local GovernmentFinance Settlement 2014-15 and the illustrative 2015-16 funding allocations.
2. This settlement raises significant concerns about the transparency, and long-term sustainability of the local government finance system, namely:
Budget cuts unsustainable – London Councils
Local Government Finance Settlement 2014/15: consultation response
London Councils has issued a stark warning in its submission to the government’s consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement 2014/15 that year-on-year cuts to funding are unsustainable.
The response, submitted on Wednesday, raises significant concerns about the long-term sustainability of the local government finance system in London as well as the lack of transparency and coherence in the government’s proposals.
Chair of London Councils, Mayor Jules Pipe, said:
Job opportunities 'lost' because of skills shortages
Opportunities to work and train for Londoners created by boroughs through their supply chains, have been lost because of skills shortages, says London Councils.
Benefit cap statistics: Statement from London Councils
Chair of London Councils, Mayor Jules Pipe, said: “Under the government’s welfare reforms, just under half of all households which have had their benefits capped live in the capital.
"Londoners are being unfairly penalised by a policy that fails to recognise that they face higher rents, a higher cost of living and strong competition for jobs.”
ENDS
Notes to editors: