MQT answers September 18

September 18, 2018 office

First-classtravel [1]

Question No: 2018/1560

Andrew Dismore

The Times on 08/05/2018, reported that the Metropolitan Police spent £8.5 million on flights over the past three years, including more than £400,000 on first-classtravel. Please give the totals for each of the last three years and this year to date, for all flights; and for first-classtravel also setting out how many flights were taken; and to what destinations at what cost?

Written response from the Mayor

The MPS expects all its officers and staff to travel by the cheapest means compatible with the purpose of their travel. Therefore, the vast majority of officers who travel first class are Royalty and Specialist Protection Officers who are accompanying their Principal. Others are those officers whose flights have been upgraded by the airline free of charge and/or if first class has been identified as the cheapest option by Travel Services. Guidance has been issued by the Commissioner to all MPS staff which states that First Class travel will not be authorised unless they are Close Protection/VIP officers travelling with their Principal and/or purchased when it’s the cheapest option.

All international flights are required to be authorised by National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) level Chief Officers and UK flights by OCU Commanders.

In all circumstances, the most economical fare is purchased that meets the needs of the traveller and the reason for the visit.

Table 1 shows the total number of flights and costs undertaken for 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 i.e. to end March 2018.

Table 1

Date	TOTAL Number of Flights per year	Total Costs
2015-16	4979	£2,529,471
2016-17	5026	£3,470,858
2017-18	4963	£3,420,823

Within the totals shown above, Table 2 shows the total number of first class flights and their cost over the past three years.

Table 2

Date	No. of First Class Flights	First Class Costs
2015-16	30	£72,575
2016-17	44	£140,538
2017-18	55	£263,500

The highest amount of travel rests with Specialist Operations (SO) which includes responsibility for Terrorism Investigations and VIP Close Protection and accounts for 98% of First Class flights booked. The other 2% relates to flights for Specialist Crime & Operations (SC&O) which were booked as first class as they were the cheapest option for those tickets.

A list of destinations for all flights over the last three financial years is attached.

USA
Beirut
Pakistan
China
Singapore
Canada
Tunisia
Hong Kong
UAE
Ghana
Europe
Turkey
Kuwait
France
Gibraltar
Greece
Indonesia
Denmark
Lebanon
Iraq
Australia
Sweden
France
Portugal
Spain
Switzerland
Peru
Netherlands
Morocco
Poland
Belgium

First-classtravel [2]

Question No: 2018/1561

Andrew Dismore

In what circumstances is first classa) air and b) rail travel permissible by Met Police officers?

Written response from the Mayor

The MPS expects all its officers and staff to travel by the cheapest means compatible with the purpose of their travel. Therefore the vast majority of officers who travel first class are Royalty and Specialist Protection Officers who are accompanying their Principal. Others are those officers whose flights have been upgraded by the airline free of charge and/or if first class has been identified as the cheapest option by Travel Services. Guidance has been issued by the Commissioner to all MPS staff which states that First Class travel will not be authorised unless they are Close Protection/VIP officers travelling with their Principal and/or purchased when it’s the cheapest option.

All international flights are required to be authorised by National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) level Chief Officers and UK flights by OCU Commanders.

In all circumstances, the most economical fare is purchased that meets the needs of the traveller and the reason for the visit.

First-classtravel [3]

Question No: 2018/1562

Andrew Dismore

Please give the totals for each of the last three years and this year to date, for all first-class rail travel setting out how many trips were taken; and to what destinations at what cost?

Written response from the Mayor

Guidance has been issued by The Commissioner to all MPS staff, which states that First Class travel will not be authorised unless they are Close Protection/VIP officers travelling with their Principal and/or purchased when it’s the cheapest option.

Table one shows the total number of first class rail tickets for the last three years and year to date including costs. The majority of First Class rail travel relates to Specialist Operations Business Group which includes responsibility for Terrorism Investigations and VIP Close Protection.

Table 1

Financial Year (FY)	No. of 1^st Class Rail Tickets	FY Total costs £
2015 – 2016	97	11,671
2016 – 2017	105	11,584
2017 – 2018	141	17,841
YTD April 2018 only	6	594

Table two lists the destinations:

Table 2

FY	Destinations
2015 – 2016	Birmingham, Blackburn, Manchester, Coventry, Plymouth, Bridgend, Leeds, London, Carmarthen, Liverpool, Cardiff, Sheffield, Greater Manchester, Wigan, Inverkeithing, Ipswich, Edinburgh, Northampton, Newcastle
2016 – 2017	Birmingham, Darlington, Durham, East Mid Parkway, Ipswich, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, Euston, Kings Cross, Waterloo, Piccadilly, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Runcorn, Stafford, Stowmarket, Tile Hill, Vauxhall, Warmington, Wigan, York
2017 – 2018	Liverpool, Manchester, Exeter, London St Pancras, Swansea, Newcastle, Kings Cross, Leicester, Euston, Wimslow, Birkdale, Leeds, Worle, Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Bridgen, Bodmin Parkway
YTD April 2018 only	Euston, Swansea, Worle, Derby

Legal services and Brexit

Question No: 2018/2196

Andrew Dismore

Reports suggest that companies are changing contracts to ensure disputes are heard in the EU rather than the UK courts; what are the implications for this for London’s economy?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Londoners in debt

Question No: 2018/2197

Andrew Dismore

The increase in interest rates in August is likely to push increasing numbers of Londoners into debt, particularly as many are now borrowing to pay for necessities. There is also talk of another rise before we leave the EU. What action are you taking to help Londoners with this increase?

Written response from the Mayor

There are many things that need to change to make London and the UK a more financially inclusive society. Some of these are outside of my direct control, such as the way financial service providers are regulated and the way debt, money and pension advice services are commissioned by the government and its agencies. The action I am taking is launching my Good Work Standard, which will promote the uptake of payroll-deducted loans and membership of credit unions, and I am also planning a summit to identify how City Hall can best support partners to improve the financial health and education of young Londoners.

Cost of Living

Question No: 2018/2198

Andrew Dismore

Wages are not rising as fast as the cost of living and over half of Londoners in poverty are in a working family. What can the Government do to support your aim to make London a more affordable city to live in?

Written response from the Mayor

For most Londoners, housing represents the single biggest element of the cost of living. My housing strategy, published earlier this summer, sets out five areas in which the government needs to act in order to make housing more secure and affordable, including: securing land for new homes; introducing a major, long-term affordable housing funding settlement; empowering municipal governments to deliver new homes by devolving planning powers and skills funding; working with us to put in place a new model for private renting; and tackling homelessness and its root causes by properly resourcing local authority homelessness departments and urgently reviewing welfare reform measures that are reducing the incomes of so many Londoners.

For my part, I have committed to make London more affordable for low-income Londoners. To do this I have secured over £4.8 billion of government funding to start 116,000 affordable homes by 2022. I have also frozen TfL fares and introduced the hopper fare, and my Energy for Londoners programme is helping to reduce energy costs.

Through my Good Work Standard I will be encouraging London’s employers to do more to help their employees meet the cost of living by – for example – paying the London Living Wage or offering interest free loans for season tickets, childcare deposits or rental deposits.

London Living Wage

Question No: 2018/2199

Andrew Dismore

Can you name the London boroughs which are London Living Wage accredited? Will you meet with the boroughs that are not accredited to tell them the benefits of paying the London Living Wage?

Written response from the Mayor

There are currently 16 London Living Wage accredited boroughs: Brent, Camden, Croydon, City of London, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

My officers are working to engage and involve more London boroughs in adopting my Good Work Standard, including the London Living Wage, through London Councils. I will also continue to raise this in my ongoing engagement with boroughs.

Gender pay gap

Question No: 2018/2200

Andrew Dismore

What action can London’s businesses take to close the gender pay gap and how are you supporting them to achieve this?

Written response from the Mayor

The gender pay gap in London has only closed by 0.5 percent in the last 20 years; this is unacceptable. I am committed to closing the gender pay gap across the GLA group, and to lead by example in doing so.

Through my Good Work Standard, I hope to influence London’s employers to create more high-quality, flexible work opportunities so that women can progress in their chosen careers. I have published both gender and ethnicity pay gaps, and will work with employers to follow suit. For example, the Our Time sponsoring programme will create a practical toolkit for how other London employers can support women into leadership roles.

The cost and availability of flexible, high-quality childcare is often a barrier to women entering the workforce and in order to help families with this cost we have created the Childcare Deposit Loan scheme to help parents tackle the upfront costs of securing a childcare place; a recognised barrier to for many families.

I have also improved senior leader and board level diversity across the GLA group, signalling to other employers my commitment to this issue.

London Living Wage and Brexit

Question No: 2018/2201

Andrew Dismore

Will a no-deal scenario impact the ability of employers to pay the London Living Wage?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Social Value Act

Question No: 2018/2202

Andrew Dismore

I welcome that, as part of the implementation of your Responsible Procurement Policy. the GLA Group is exploring the possibility of setting a minimum threshold for social value. When do you expect to conduct this research?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

London Living Wage and Premier League football clubs

Question No: 2018/2203

Andrew Dismore

Now that the new football season has begun, which Premier League clubs in London that have not yet gained accreditation have you written to and what was their response?

Written response from the Mayor

I have been clear that I want all Premier League Football clubs in London to become Living Wage accredited and have previously written to them asking them to pursue accreditation. Currently, the only London clubs accredited are Chelsea and West Ham. However, after a recent exchange of letters about the importance of the Living Wage with the Chairman of Fulham FC, Shahid Khan, I was delighted to hear that Fulham is now working towards its Living wage accreditation. I will continue press upon the other non-accredited clubs the importance of doing the responsible thing and becoming London Living Wage employers.

Good Work Standard

Question No: 2018/2204

Andrew Dismore

When do you expect to launch the Good Work Standard?

Written response from the Mayor

My officers are currently working to finalise the Good Work Standard and develop the supporting functions of the programme. While a date has not been set yet, the Good Work Standard is planned to be launched later this year.

Night time economy curfew (1)

Question No: 2018/2205

Andrew Dismore

What impact will London Borough of Hackney’s decision to implement a curfew have on London’s night time economy?

Written response from the Mayor

The London Borough of Hackney introduced a new Statement of Licensing Policy on 1 August 2018. The policy contains a new core hours policy. Hackney Council has stated that the core hours policy should not be seen as a blanket approach, and assured businesses that these are guideline hours and do not constitute a ‘curfew’.

Hackney’s night-time is the envy of the world, making a significant contribution to London’s night time economy, which contributes £26.3bn to the UK economy. It is vital that the vibrancy of London’s night time economy is protected, while making sure it works for residents, visitors and workers.

My Night Czar will continue to protect and champion London’s night time economy and culture, and will continue to work closely with Hackney to assess and monitor the impact of Hackney’s latest Statement of Licensing Policy.

Night time economy curfew (2)

Question No: 2018/2206

Andrew Dismore

What evidence is there that a curfew will reduce anti-social behaviour in London’s night time economy?

Written response from the Mayor

As the London Assembly’s report ‘Respecting others: tackling antisocial behaviour’ points out, antisocial behaviour is a complex issue and there is no single solution to tackling the behaviour itself and its underlying causes. Effective partnership working between local authorities, the police, businesses, community organisations and residents is essential to identifying a range of interventions, appropriate to the situation.

In respect of the impact of curfews, neither the GLA nor MOPAC have undertaken, nor commissioned, research on the efficacy and impact of curfews in tackling antisocial behaviour and on the night time economy.

Night time economy curfew (3)

Question No: 2018/2207

Andrew Dismore

What do you think is the best way to reduce anti-social behaviour in London’s night time economy?

Written response from the Mayor

As the London Assembly’s report ‘Respecting others: tackling antisocial behaviour’ points out, there is no single solution to tackling anti-social behaviour. Effective partnership working between local authorities, the police, businesses, community organisations and residents is essential to identifying a range of interventions, appropriate to the situation.

Anti-Social Behaviour was identified in the consultation for the Police and Crime Plan as an important issue in every borough, which is recognised through MOPAC’s direct funding to boroughs to tackle local priority issues.

Rogue Landlords register

Question No: 2018/2208

Andrew Dismore

How many rogue landlords are listed on your register per borough?

Written response from the Mayor

The Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker contains details of 968 offences issued to 572 landlord or agents. The ten boroughs that do not appear below will upload their offences shortly.

Enforcement authority	Number of landlords and agents	Number of offences
Barking and Dagenham	5	5
Bexley	2	2
Brent	58	89
Camden	57	105
City of London	0	0
Greenwich	7	43
Haringey	7	20
Havering	3	4
Hillingdon	0	0
Hounslow	2	2
Islington	34	40
Lambeth	1	3
Lewisham	2	2
Newham	150	265
Redbridge	1	1
Richmond upon Thames	8	8
Southwark	25	85
Sutton	2	5
Tower Hamlets	36	60
Waltham Forest	63	75
Wandsworth	12	17
Westminster	31	49
London Fire Brigade	35	55
Ombudsman Services	1	1
Property Redress Scheme	18	19
The Property Ombudsman	13	13
Total	572	968

Petrol Stations

Question No: 2018/2210

Andrew Dismore

Can you provide details of how many petrol stations have each borough lost in the last 5, 10 and 15 years?

Written response from the Mayor

The London Development Database lists 81 developments completed on sites of petrol stations and service stations between 01/04/2004 and 31/03/2018. 52 of these were completed in the years 2004/05 to 2007/08, 19 between 2008/09 and 2012/13 and 10 between 2013/14 and 2017/18.

Count of Borough Reference
Row Labels	Last 5 years	Last 10 years	Last 14 years	Grand Total
Barnet	1	2	2	5
Bexley	0	2	2	4
Brent	2	1	2	5
Bromley	0	1	1	2
Camden	0	1	3	4
Croydon	0	0	1	1
Ealing	0	2	2	4
Enfield	0	0	1	1
Greenwich	0	1	3	4
Hackney	0	0	1	1
Hammersmith and Fulham	2	0	0	2
Haringey	0	0	1	1
Harrow	0	0	4	4
Havering	1	1	1	3
Hillingdon	0	0	1	1
Hounslow	0	0	1	1
Islington	0	0	5	5
Kensington and Chelsea	0	0	1	1
Kingston upon Thames	2	1	0	3
Lambeth	0	2	3	5
Lewisham	0	0	1	1
Merton	1	0	1	2
Newham	0	0	2	2
Redbridge	0	0	3	3
Richmond upon Thames	0	1	1	2
Southwark	0	0	2	2
Sutton	1	1	2	4
Tower Hamlets	0	1	0	1
Waltham Forest	0	1	2	3
Wandsworth	0	1	1	2
Westminster	0	0	2	2
Grand Total	10	19	52	81

CS11

Question No: 2018/2211

Andrew Dismore

What is the present position on CS11, including the start date for works at Swiss Cottage, and the park gate closures?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Hampstead Heath Overground station

Question No: 2018/2212

Andrew Dismore

Further to your answer to Question No: 2018/1786 on an ATM at Hampstead Heath Overground station, what assessment have you made of customer demand and what efforts have been made to secure an agreement with the ATM provider?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

240 Bus

Question No: 2018/2213

Andrew Dismore

Metroline (with the permission of Transport for London) has reduced the service of the 240 bus from high-frequency – about every 7 minutes to low-frequency – to about every 14 minutes. As this bus service was a key factor in your approval of the planning application for the former NIMR building Mill Hill, being the only public transport link in an area that is categorised as having the lowest PTAL rating, will you arrange for the high frequency service to be restored?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

20MPH speed limits

Question No: 2018/2214

Andrew Dismore

The move towards 20MPH speed limits on Transport for London (TfL) road is welcome; what resources will be available to enforce the lower limits on TfL roads and what resources are available to enforce speed limits in the boroughs who have also introduced 20 MPH limits?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Barking to Gospel Oak Line

Question No: 2018/2215

Andrew Dismore

Further to your answer to Question No: 2018/1860, I understand that you are mistaken in much of your reply. There have been no additional trains operating “temporarily” on the Barking to Gospel Oak line. The five trains in question (PIXC-busters) have operated since 2013 and until 19 May this year appeared in the published timetable. When these trains did not appear in the 20 May summer 2018 timetable, the Director of Rail gave an assurance that the trains would continue to run until the electric trains arrived in public service. However, these trains ceased to run after 29 June. This is because one of the eight 2-car diesel trains (172 002) that maintained the Barking – Gospel Oak service had been transferred to West Midlands Trains in Birmingham. The drivers’ diagrams (duties) for these five trains were withdrawn on 1 July. Since then London Overground has not had enough rolling stock to run the current published timetable reliably, with 20 cancellations occurring on Sunday 22 July, for example. London Overground can clearly no longer operate the five trains in question, contrary to your assurances, so what can be done to sort out this service?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Change of rules governing the Central London Congestion Zone

Question No: 2018/2216

Andrew Dismore

A constituent has written to me, who bought a Toyota Yaris Hybrid which, with 75mg or less of CO2 emissions, currently qualifies for a 100% exemption from the congestion charge. However, as it is not wholly electric and therefore cannot run for 20 minutes without emissions, under the proposed new rules, it will no longer be exempt after the proposed start date of the new rules in April 2019. He does not have the option to buy a 100% electric car, as he lives in the heart of Hampstead without off-street parking, and there is no provision for charging points for residents like him. Is it fair that residents who bought vehicles in good faith under the old rules should be given such short notice of the need effectively to dispose of their vehicles; and could existing owners of such vehicles be given at least a further 2 years of grace before suffering removal of the current Congestion Charge exemption, which was the methodology adopted the last time the emission rules were tightened?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Tube noise Mornington Crescent

Question No: 2018/2217

Andrew Dismore

Residents who live near Mornington Crescent tube station are still suffering tube generated noise pollution many months after first complaining of it, and despite remedial works; what will Transport for London do, and when, to eliminate this noise, apparently from the Northern Line Charing Cross branch?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Falloden Way, A1

Question No: 2018/2218

Andrew Dismore

There was yet another fatal accident on the A1 at Falloden Way on 9 August 2018. Local residents and I have consistently flagged our concerns about safety all along Falloden Way, from the junction with Brookland Rise to Ossulton Way, but Transport for London refuses to take any action. Will you ask them to look at safety here, and now come up with a set of proposals to make the road safe for all road and pavement users?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Tube noise, Northern Line near Finchley Central

Question No: 2018/2219

Andrew Dismore

Many residents have complained about the almost continuous (every two or three minutes) extremely loud and prolonged screeching noise coming from the Northern Line near Finchley Central at all hours the tube is operating. The prime source of this noise appears to be the bend in the track north-east of Finchley Central, but also along the tracks that have been replaced, both on the Barnet and Mill Hill East lines. This noise started after the bank holiday engineering works this year, during which Transport for London replaced the track bed with granite ballast, replaced the northbound rails, and installed new concrete sleepers. Automated train operation may be exacerbating the noise as trains approach the corner more aggressively than before. What will you do to tackle this noise which is the result of Transport for London’s own works without consideration of the impact on residents nearby?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Tube noise

Question No: 2018/2220

Andrew Dismore

How many sites are there and where, with outstanding residents’ complaints about excessive tube noise? In relation to each site, how many complaints are there; and in relation to each site, what is the timescale for remedial measures to take place; and in relation to which sites have Transport for London given up and residents have to grin and bear it?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Tube temperatures

Question No: 2018/2221

Andrew Dismore

This summer, passengers on some tube lines experienced temperatures over 30 degrees. Do you have a plan to ensure all carriages will in the future have air conditioning?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Bus temperatures

Question No: 2018/2222

Andrew Dismore

This summer passengers on the so called ‘Boris Bus’ new Routemasters experienced very high temperatures. Do you have a plan to deal with this?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Accident hotspots

Question No: 2018/2223

Andrew Dismore

Further to question 2015/4136, could you provide a list of the ten most dangerous junctions in terms of pedestrian injury per London Assembly constituency. For 2014-2016 and 2016-2018 please?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

274 bus routes

Question No: 2018/2224

Andrew Dismore

Metroline (with the permission of Transport for London) intend on replacing the single decker 274 bus with double-deckers. This has been done without consultation, and poses major complaints in areas such as Agar Grove in Camden, where trees have been trimmed back and enabling work has started. Will you ask TfL to reconsider this decision, and do a proper assessment of the impact of the decision, taking into account the strength of the road to take heavier vehicles, and the impact on water pipes, of which several have already burst locally due to other heavy construction vehicle traffic?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Dogs trapped in cars

Question No: 2018/2225

Andrew Dismore

What advice are you giving to those who see dogs left unattended in hot cars?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Stirling Corner

Question No: 2018/2226

Andrew Dismore

Could I have an update on plans to improve pedestrian and cyclist crossing at Stirling Corner please?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Road Safety in Whetstone

Question No: 2018/2227

Andrew Dismore

When will the negotiations between Barnet Council and Transport for London over road safety measures for the Sweets Way development affecting High Road/Friern Barnet Lane be started and completed?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Hate Preachers on Oxford Street

Question No: 2018/2228

Andrew Dismore

What steps are you taking to deal with hate preachers on Oxford Street, who harass tourists by repeating anti-Semitic slurs?

Written response from the Mayor

In my Police and Crime Plan I committed to take a zero-tolerance approach to hate in all its form; this applies whether the incident occurs online or on our streets.

We rightly value free speech in this country, but where that crosses the line into hate speech and hate crime, then the police will respond accordingly.

The police have received a report of hate crime from a member of the public who reported hearing a group of men making anti-Semitic statements to the public on Oxford Street and the Police in Westminster are investigating this matter as a hate crime. I would urge anyone who has a concern about the actions of any individual or group anywhere on the streets of London to report those concerns to the police.

Judicial review on police station closures

Question No: 2018/2229

Andrew Dismore

What are the lessons for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime to learn about consultation from the Judicial review on police station closures?

Written response from the Mayor

City Hall regularly carries out consultations on a wide variety of issues. Within MOPAC, recent examples include those which informed my Police and Crime Plan, the Knife Crime Strategy, and the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.

The recent Judicial Review into the Public Access Strategy highlighted internal record keeping and the structure of the consultation document as areas which could have been improved, and these lessons will be carried when considering future consultations.

Met Detectives

Question No: 2018/2230

Andrew Dismore

Further to your answer to Question No: 2018/1858 which indicated that the Met had 482 Detective Constable vacancies, how many passed out in the first cohort of direct entry detectives and how many are expected to do so in further cohorts following later this year?

Written response from the Mayor

The first cohort of external trainee detective constables comprised of 43 recruits, who completed their initial training in late June 2018. Cohorts 2-6 comprised of a further 100 trainee detectives, some of whom are also now working on their BCUs and others are still in training.

Further intakes are planned in October & November 2018, which will bring in circa 80 recruits.

Moped crime in Camden

Question No: 2018/2231

Andrew Dismore

What is the present incidence of moped crime in Camden, compared to a year ago; and what steps have been taken to reduce this crime in Camden?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Police funding

Question No: 2018/2232

Andrew Dismore

The Leader of Barnet Council has said that police reserves should be used to fund police officers on an ongoing basis. Do you consider that this would be imprudent?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Appropriate Adults [1]

Question No: 2018/2233

Andrew Dismore

Will the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime be adopting the recommendation made in Home Office’s release of voluntary guidance on an ‘Appropriate Adult PCC-Local Authority Partnership Agreement’ for Police and Crime Commissioners to provide a demand profile for appropriate adults within their area?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Appropriate Adults [2]

Question No: 2018/2234

Andrew Dismore

What would this arrangement look like in London given the Police and Crime Commissioner covers 32 different local authorities?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Appropriate Adults [3]

Question No: 2018/2235

Andrew Dismore

The 32 London boroughs operate in a different context to other local authorities across England and Wales when providing/commissioning appropriate adult services. London boroughs are more closely tied together by geography and transport networks, their basic command units span multiple local authorities as a result of the borough mergers, custody suites often serve police units outside of the borough and the demand profile of individual boroughs for appropriate adult services may be low. As a result, there is scope for economies of scale to be realised if boroughs work together to provide/commission appropriate adult services. Given this unique context, what role does the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime play in encouraging the provision/commissioning of appropriate adults across the 32 boroughs?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Wanstead flats and other park fires

Question No: 2018/2236

Andrew Dismore

Following the Wanstead flats blaze and many other park fires made worse by the unusually hot and dry summer, have you had any discussions with the London Fire Brigade and relevant park authorities on creating natural fire breaks in London’s open spaces to slow the spread of future fires?

Written response from the Mayor

Many open spaces in London already have fire breaks, including Wanstead Flats where they are maintained by the City of London Corporation. Fire breaks are areas where grassland is kept cut short to reduce fire risk and slow fire spread and are also made up of man-made areas such as carparks, paths and roads. Despite the fire breaks already in place at Wanstead Flats, the dry conditions led to rapid fire spread and fire crews saw the fire ‘jumping’ Centre Road, the A114, which runs through the grassland. Since the fire, London Fire Brigade has met with the City of London Corporation to discuss operational preparedness and response to grass fires in the future.

Drought preparedness (1)

Question No: 2018/2237

Andrew Dismore

The severe drought scoping study published in October 2017 made six recommendations covering research and risks, a full severe drought plan and exercise, and long-term preventative work. Please can you provide an update on the activities you have taken or encouraged partners to take to follow up these recommendations?

Written response from the Mayor

The London Resilience Partnership continues to develop preparedness for severe drought based on the recommendations in the October 2017 scoping study. A risk assessment for severe drought has been completed and will be published with the Community Risk Register when approved by the London Resilience Forum in early 2019. The assessment, and the recommendations from a strategic coordination summit on severe drought in April 2018, provide the basis for the development of a new severe drought response framework.

Drought preparedness (2)

Question No: 2018/2238

Andrew Dismore

Does the London Resilience Forum have a timeframe to update the 2015 Drought Response Framework?

Written response from the Mayor

The first meeting of the project group established to review the drought response framework was held in July 2018. The review will be completed by the summer of 2019 and overseen by the London Resilience Forum.

Heatwave resilience (1)

Question No: 2018/2239

Andrew Dismore

The summer 2018 heatwave emphasised the vulnerability of many hospitals and care homes that do not have facilities to cope with extreme heat. What discussions have you had with health and social care partners to improve the heat resilience of their facilities?

Written response from the Mayor

My officers met with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August to discuss ways to improve the heat resilience of care homes. Public Health England were present at the meeting.

The CQC welcomed the meeting and agreed to the following:

To raise awareness and seek to enhance the management of heat risk in care homes by including, as part of their inspection visits, where they think there is an issue, ‘good practice’ tips for improving heat resilience in care homes. The CQC uses five Key Lines of Enquiry when carrying out inspection visits on standards of care in care homes. This action would sit in their line of inquiry on ‘effective’ care.

To provide their inspectors, and other stakeholders, with guidance about heat resilience, to mitigate heat risk to vulnerable residents in care homes, through their internal bulletin. This bulletin has a circulation list of 3,000 internally. The CQC has confirmed that this has been actioned and that it has also included links to the relevant guidance in its provider bulletins and on its external twitter feed. The guidance will also be distributed through the CQC’s other networks.

My officers are also following up with Public Health England and the Association of Directors of Social Services to discuss ways to improve heat resilience at other facilities over and above care homes.

Heatwave resilience (2)

Question No: 2018/2240

Andrew Dismore

Have you considered making RE:FIT and RE:NEW funding available for carbon-neutral or saving schemes that also contribute to cooling buildings and places?

Written response from the Mayor

These programmes already consider issues related to cooling. The RE:FIT framework enables retrofit work which makes buildings more energy efficient and this can be for both heating or cooling as long as it saves energy and carbon. It includes, for example, thermal insulation and cooling and ventilation technologies.

RE:NEW advises housing providers on how to make homes more energy efficient, which can include measures relating to cooling such as passive-ventilation technology. RE:NEW has also integrated overheating risk advice into the RE:NEW retrofit risk toolkit to highlight potential overheating risks in homes being retrofitted.

Heatwave resilience (3)

Question No: 2018/2241

Andrew Dismore

What assurances have you received from the Government that EU funding for RE:NEW and RE:FIT will be maintained following Brexit?

Written response from the Mayor

The Government has already confirmed that EU-funded programmes will continue beyond Brexit, including in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario, potentially until 2023.

Social Value Act

Question No: 2018/2202

Andrew Dismore

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) is currently undertaking this research. The findings and recommendations will be considered by the Greater London Authority’s (Collaborative Procurement Board) at its next meeting, which is expected to take place in October.

Following this, TfL will support the GLA Group Functional Bodies to implement the approach agreed by the Board.

240 Bus

Question No: 2018/2213

Andrew Dismore

Written response from the Mayor

From Saturday 7 July 2018, Transport for London (TfL) reduced the frequency of bus route 240, which runs between Golders Green and Edgware via Mill Hill. Buses now run every 15 minutes on Monday to Saturday daytimes. Previously they were every 12 minutes.

This change was to more closely match demand. Between 2016 and 2018, daily usage on route 240 decreased by 7 per cent on Mondays to Fridays and by 3 per cent on Saturdays. TfL’s analysis shows that, at the busiest point of the route, during the busiest part of the day, four buses per hour are sufficient to meet demand.

TfL reviewed the forecast demand for the development at the former National Institute for Medical Research building. They found that there will still be spare capacity on route 240, even at the reduced frequency of four buses per hour.

TfL will continue to keep route 240 under review to ensure that adequate capacity is provided for both current demand and new developments.

20MPH speed limits

Question No: 2018/2214

Andrew Dismore

Written response from the Mayor

Lowering speeds is one of the most important things that can be done to make our streets safer. A person is about five times less likely to be fatally injured if hit at 20mph than at 30mph.

Transport for London (TfL) has developed a progressive speed limit policy for its road network, which will see it engaging on 20mph becoming the default speed limit within the central London Congestion Charging zone, as well as in other locations and town centres across London.

For the majority of drivers, a well-designed street environment with an appropriate speed limit will be sufficient for them to comply with the law. Therefore TfL’s implementation of 20mph limits will, where appropriate, be accompanied by a change in the look and feel of the roads. Marketing and education will also be useful tools in increasing compliance.

Another effective measure at regulating speeds and reducing casualties is Intelligent Speed Assistance technology in vehicles. All buses will be fitted with Intelligent Speed Assistance by 2022, which will help to regulate the speeds of all traffic on bus routes.

Where people flout speed limits, the police will continue to enforce the law. Speed enforcement is carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which carries out speed enforcement on TfL and on borough roads. The MPS enforces all speed limits, including 20mph, where there is a risk to road users from non-compliance. Enforcement is risk based and intelligence led. In 2016, the MPS issued 12,251 tickets for speeding offences in 20mph limits.

Alongside police enforcement, TfL also runs Community Roadwatch, which sees volunteers working with local policing teams to identify speeding vehicles in their communities, including many 20mph roads. Volunteers measure the speeds of vehicles, and those breaking the limit have their details recorded, with drivers receiving a police warning in the post. Community Roadwatch runs in every borough in London, and to date, more than 30,000 warning letters have been sent to speeding drivers as a result of this initiative.

Tube noise Mornington Crescent

Question No: 2018/2217

Andrew Dismore

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) takes all noise complaints very seriously and in this case has responded by conducting a significant amount of remedial work in the Mornington Crescent area. This has included the installation of resilient track fastenings on the Bank branch which has reduced noise readings by approximately 10dB in most properties. There are some properties where the noise reduction has not been as significant as expected.

As a result, TfL will be extending resilient track fastening on the southbound direction of the Bank branch in September 2018. In addition, TfL will be removing some rail joints on the Charing Cross branch which should further reduce the noise experienced by some residents. TfL aims to complete this work in October 2018. TfL continues to work alongside industry and academia to further understand noise and vibration and to trial new products and solutions.

Tube noise

Question No: 2018/2220

Andrew Dismore

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) is fully committed to tackling Tube Noise and has not “given up” at any location.

There are currently 13 Tube Noise ‘hotspots’. These are sites with four or more ongoing complaints. In each case TfL is working to mitigate noise issues.

These sites are located as follows:

West Finchley to Finchley Central

Closed complaints – 3

Ongoing complaints – 59

Mitigation – Installation of friction modifier (a substance which improves the interaction between the wheel and the rail).

Resolution date – October 2018

Warren Street to Oxford Circus

Closed complaints – 15

Ongoing complaints – 13

Mitigation – Track work (including hand grouting) undertaken – follow-up readings taken and analysis ongoing.

Resolution date – September 2018

Victoria to Pimlico

Closed complaints – 32

Ongoing complaints – 10

Mitigation – Track work (including work to improve the condition of the sleepers) ongoing. Follow-up readings taken upon completion.

Resolution date – September 2018

Kennington Loop

Closed complaints – 8

Ongoing complaints – 9

Mitigation – Continuing to evaluate different options

Resolution date – Ongoing

Bethnal Green to Liverpool Street

Closed complaints –18

Ongoing complaints – 8

Mitigation – New rail to be installed

Resolution date – October 2018

Highbury & Islington to King’s Cross St. Pancras

Closed complaints – 31

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – New rail to be installed

Resolution date – December 2018

South Wimbledon to Morden

Closed complaints – 10

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – Resilient track fastenings installed and track work carried out. Further track investigation to be carried out.

Resolution date – November 2018.

Walthamstow Central to Blackhorse Road

Closed complaints – 18

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – Installation of friction modifier.

Resolution date – December 2018

Baked Street to Bond Street

Closed complaints – 6

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – New rail installed. Follow-up readings to be taken shortly.

Resolution date – October 2018

Golders Green to Hampstead

Closed complaints – 1

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – Rail joint removal.

Resolution date – October 2018

Wanstead to Leytonstone

Closed complaints –16

Ongoing complaints – 6

Mitigation – New rail and resilient track fastenings installed. Continuing to monitor noise levels.

Resolution date – Ongoing

Kennington to Oval

Closed complaints – 2

Ongoing complaints – 5

Mitigation – Evaluating different options.

Resolution date -Ongoing

Barbican to Moorgate

Closed complaints – 16

Ongoing complaints – 4

Mitigation – Track renewal.

Resolution date – Ongoing

TfL also recently carried out Tube noise related works between Kentish Town and Camden Town, Southfields to Wimbledon Park, Notting Hill Gate to Holland Park, and Camden Town to Euston, which were previously ‘hotspots’.

TfL will continue to examine all feasible means of minimising noise and disturbance to residents. In areas where noise cannot currently be further reduced, TfL will continue to actively work with suppliers and noise experts to innovate and develop new technologies to improve noise levels across the network.

Tube temperatures

Question No: 2018/2221

Andrew Dismore

This summer, passengers on some tube lines experienced temperatures over 30 degrees. Do you have a plan to ensure all carriages will in the future have air conditioning?

Written response from the Mayor

I know that travelling on some tube lines can be very uncomfortable during periods of hot weather, which is why Transport for London (TfL) is investing millions of pounds to make the Tube cooler.

There are currently 192 air-conditioned trains serving 40 per cent of the network, on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. As part of the next phase of the Upgrade Programme, passengers will benefit from walk-through fully air-cooled carriages on the Piccadilly, Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City lines. The Piccadilly line will be upgraded first, with new trains delivered between 2023 and 2026.

The Victoria, Jubilee and Northern lines were all upgraded more recently, and the trains benefit from regenerative braking, which puts less heat into the tunnels.

In the meantime, Transport for London (TfL) is investing millions of pounds to make the Tube cooler for customers. There are enhanced tunnel ventilation systems on the Victoria, Northern and Jubilee lines. And, on the older parts of the network, which have fewer ventilation shafts, TfL have introduced a range of station cooling systems including large fans and chiller units to pump in cold air.

From next year, the Elizabeth line will open through central London, completely transforming travel across the city with quicker and more comfortable journeys, with the new trains all air conditioned.

From 2022, the Docklands Light Railway will also get new air-conditioned trains.

Stirling Corner

Question No: 2018/2226

Andrew Dismore

Could I have an update on plans to improve pedestrian and cyclist crossing at Stirling Corner please?

Written response from the Mayor

In March 2018, Transport for London (TfL) undertook a public consultation on a proposed pedestrian and cyclist crossing at Stirling Corner. TfL is finalising its response to the consultation which is due to be published later this month. This will include a decision on the planned next steps.

Road Safety in Whetstone

Question No: 2018/2227

Andrew Dismore

When will the negotiations between Barnet Council and Transport for London over road safety measures for the Sweets Way development affecting High Road/Friern Barnet Lane be started and completed?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London has been working with the Sweets Way developer to agree a signalised junction design, which Barnet Council now needs to approve.

Based on current progress, Barnet Council expects to approve the design before Christmas and for construction to begin in late spring.

Appropriate Adults [2]

Question No: 2018/2234

Andrew Dismore

What would this arrangement look like in London given the Police and Crime Commissioner covers 32 different local authorities?

Written response from the Mayor

The London context is far different to elsewhere in the country and working across 32 independent London boroughs does present some challenges in how to practicably address the recommendations in the Capital.

These are being factored into the ongoing discussions with the MPS and local authorities and this work is progressing well. Officers are working to achieve agreement across all 32 boroughs on a commissioning approach that aligns to the Metropolitan Police Service’s geographical structures and that delivers consistent and high-quality provision across London.

Appropriate Adults [3]

Question No: 2018/2235

Andrew Dismore

Written response from the Mayor

I would refer you to my response to question 2234 in which I have described the progress that has been made to date.

My leadership and powers to convene partners through my Office for Policing and Crime have been influential in driving this work forward, together with the great efforts of the Metropolitan Police Service and local authorities

Dogs trapped in cars

Question No: 2018/2225

Andrew Dismore

What advice are you giving to those who see dogs left unattended in hot cars?

Written response from the Mayor

As the owner of a dog it is always concerning to read of incidents where dogs have unnecessarily suffered from having been left in a car in hot weather. I have not offered advice as Mayor on this issue, as animal welfare does not fall under my remit at City Hall, but the media and animal charities have highlighted the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars, even for just a very short amount of time, and it is advice I hope all owners of dogs take heed of

Hampstead Heath Overground station

Question No: 2018/2212

Andrew Dismore

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has now contacted their ATM provider who has confirmed that an ATM at this location is not commercially attractive to them. In addition to this, TfL has looked at the possibility of installing a stand-alone ATM at this station with an alternative supplier. Unfortunately, TfL has been told by the supplier that there is insufficient space to install such a machine given the proximity of the ticket gates and due to passenger flows in the area.