My Report from City Hall: No.3: 5th July to 10th August 2012
My report from City Hall
No.3: 5th July to 10th August 2012
As promised in my last report, this is next in my new series of reports from City Hall about what I have been doing, including in the constituency, together with a few more general observations.
Please feel free to forward this email on to any other local residents or neighbours who you think might be interested in it. If they would like to receive their own copy in the future, they should email me at info@andrewdismore.org.uk, with their address in Barnet orCamden.
Introduction
During this period, there have not been as many formal meetings of the Assembly as normal, due to the Olympics, with City Hall being pretty well monopolised by the Mayor as “London House”, to try to promote London to outside investors.
Budget Committee
This continued our investigation into the riots last year, and in particular the difficulties local people and businesses had in obtaining appropriate compensation. I closely questioned the insurance industry representatives on their poor response. You can watch the committee by clicking here or you can read the transcript of the meeting by clicking here.
Economy Committee
We held an evidence gathering session into the question of broadband in the capital. We heard from businesses, academics, and providers including BT and Virgin Media. We looked into broadband speed, compared with competitor cities, and the obstacles facing jobs and business development through the availability, or lack of it, of good services and high speed. We also looked at WiFi coverage. You can watch the committee by clicking here or you can read the transcript of the meeting by clicking here.
Plenary session
We have not had a Mayor’s Question Time since my last report, but a number of my outstanding written questions have since been answered – to search my questions to the Mayor click here.
This last plenary before the Olympic/summer break was a pure debating plenary, covering a range of motions. I proposed the re-establishment of the Hate Crime Forum, which formerly existed under the Metropolitan Police Authority before it was abolished, and has not been re-established under the replacement for the MPA, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime. After seeing off a Conservative attempt to water it down, my proposal was accepted by the Authority, and we now have to see how the Mayor responds. You can watch the plenary session by clicking here or read the documents from the meeting by clicking here.
Fire Authority Resources Committee
This was very much a business meeting, with little of general interest to readers, but we are maintaining pressure on the underperforming AssetCo, the privatised provider of the vehicle fleet maintenance, including fire engines.
Prior to the meeting, we had a briefing from the Fire Commissioner and other senior officers on the present challenges facing the Fire Brigade, including the likely scale of cuts, which is deeply worrying. The real battles will start in the autumn, when we consider the consequences of Mayor’s Johnson’s indicative budget for the fire service, which requires huge cuts in the service. More on this, when I can give details!
After the meeting, I visited the Fire Brigade Museum, which was an enjoyable and interesting visit. It is open to the public to book a tour, and if you are interested, please let me know. There is a charge for the tour, though.
Transport Committee
The Transport Committee has commenced its detailed inquiry into cycling issues inLondon, with a hearing involving both representatives and an “open mike” session for cyclists to give their views to the committee.
Press releases, letters for publication
Boris Johnson is just not bothered about cyclists using Henlys Corner
Dismore wins hate crime debate
Andrew Dismore welcomes Olympic Torch to Barnet
Boris Johnson fails to secure upgrade of Gospel Oak – Barking train line
What can be done about London’s empty shops?
Dismore challenges insurers over failure to pay riot victims
My investigation into Empty Shops on our High Streets
Labour launch ‘Better Barnet’ campaign
London Assembly Member renews call for minute’s silence for victims of Munich
Closure of London’s last Blood Testing Lab in Colindale puts lives at risk
I also appeared on Radio 4’s Week inWestminsteron House of Lords Reform and LBC on the issue of the Munich Olympics victims.
Meetings at City Hall
I attended a detailed briefing session with TfL particularly focussing on the challenges posed by the Olympics for the transport network in the capital.
I also had a meeting with the deputy mayor for Transport Isabel Dedring, when I put to her a series of issues that have been raised with me over the last 3 months since I was elected, including, amongst others:
- Henly’s Corner safety for cyclists
- Bus Route 307 rerouting
- 34 bus layover inBarnet High St.
- Stirlingcorner safety and the need for full time traffic lights
- Bus route 210 extension
- Cycle safety at Kings Cross gyratory
- Market Place/Falloden Way NW11 parking enforcement
- Dial a ride lack of co-ordination
- The practicality of bringingYork Roadtube station back into use
- The impact of the Olympics on pedestrian crossings
I met with TravelWatch, too, whose job it is to represent the transport consumer ( i.e. passengers!)
As chair of the Economy Committee, I also received briefings from London First, who represent larger businesses; andLondonand Partners, whose job it is to attract inward investment and tourism to the capital.
Although I had no tickets for the Olympics (I wasn’t successful in the ballot and contrary to what people may think there were no free tickets for Assembly Members), the Economy Committee is responsible for oversight of legacy issues, so I visited the Olympic Park with the Olympic London Development Corporation for an onsite briefing (though not seeing any sport except in passing on the big screens, unfortunately!)
Visits
I don’t believe my job should confine me to City Hall, and I have been out and about in the constituency and elsewhere inLondon.
The Olympic Torch came through both Boroughs and I attended its reception in Barnet and its send off inCamden(getting up at 5am for the privilege, along with many local residents).
I also attended the unveiling of the plaque,Trafalgar Squareminute’s silence, and memorial meeting at the Guildhall to commemorate the athlete victims of the Munich Olympics.
I was also inTrafalgar Squarefor the rally forCyprus, having attended the protest march first against the Turkish occupation; and the Cyprus High Commission reception for their Presidency of the EU.
Wearing my Fire Authority member’s hat (not helmet) I went to Mill Hill, Hendon, Barnet , Belsize and Finchley Fire Stations, to meet firefighters and familiarise myself with the stations and staff and the demands on them.
I visited the King’s Cross regeneration project to learn of progress and plans; and I also visited and received a briefing from Midtown Business Improvement District, based around Holborn.
I participated in the ward councillors stall inChalton Streetmarket.
I attended the opening of the new Almshouses in Stonegrove, Edgware; and the open day at Avenue House, Finchley. I visitedTifresSchool, Hendon and went to the RAF museum community day.
I am very concerned about the likely cuts in pensioners’ day centre provision in Barnet, and accompanied shadow Environment Secretary Hilary Benn MP on his visit to Barnet Asian Old People’s Association, which is under threat from the Conservative Council’s cuts.
I also visited the Colindale Blood and Transplant Centre, to meet with staff and management to discuss the proposed move of blood testing from Colindale to Filton,Bristol, which seems to me to be a rather risky proposal (see press release above).
I met with the Saracens Chief Executive at Copthall, to hear about their plans and to see on site what progress has been made. They plan to hold their first game their next year.
Last, but by no means least, I have been out and about calling on residents in the constituency, including inBloomsbury, Colindale, Burnt Oak and Hendon.
Problem solving and casework
Adam Langleben is working at City Hall as my assistant on a temporary basis, managing incoming correspondence, casework and my diary: adam.langleben@london.gov.uk
The Job of the Assembly: a thumbnail sketch
A few people have asked me what the formal role of the Assembly is. The job of the 25 strong Assembly is to scrutinise the work of the London Mayor and to hold him and the variousLondonwide services for which he is responsible to account. These include the Metropolitan Police, the Fire Brigade and Transport forLondon, so I can take up any issues with these services for you. The Mayor also has strategic responsibilities, amongst other things, for housing inLondon(but not individual allocations or issues, so I cannot do much about personal housing problems, which should normally go to your ward councillor in the first instance), economic development and the legacy of the Olympic Games. The Assembly also has the job of scrutinising the Mayor’s annual budget: a 2/3rds majority of the Assembly could actually block it, but given the present constitution of the Assembly,( 12 Labour, 9 Conservative, 2 Liberal Democrats, 2 Greens) this is very unlikely, unless there is a Conservative rebel!
And finally….
Whether or not you have tickets, I hope you are enjoying The Olympics as I am! Wasn’t the opening ceremony something in which we can all take pride? I’ve got hooked on watching cycle road races, and after the Tour de France victory and the disappointment of the Olympics road race on the opening day, it was great to see Bradley Wiggins win his Gold. Congratulations to all the successful Team GB competitors, and indeed also to those leaving without a medal from both team GB and everywhere else for their great contribution to the greatest sporting occasion on earth.
Best regards
Andrew Dismore
Labour London Assembly member for Barnet andCamden
