Andrew Dismore

Question No: 2018/3207

Andrew Dismore

With less than five months to go until the date the UK is due to leave the EU, is it fair that the Government are expecting London’s businesses to check whether EU citizens have a right to work here in a no-deal Brexit scenario, without giving them the details of how this will work?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3208

Andrew Dismore

What is your assessment of the impact of the November Budget on Londoners’ living standards?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3209

Andrew Dismore

There is a new Picturehouse cinema opening in West Norwood who are refusing to pay their workers the London Living Wage. Will you write to Picturehouse to encourage them to pay the London Living Wage at their new cinema in West Norwood, and all other London cinemas including the Ritzy in Brixton?

Written response from the Mayor

Yes, my Regeneration and Economic Development team will write to Cineworld, who own ‎Picturehouse, to join my Good Work Standard when it launches, which includes a call for employers to pay the LLW.

Nearly a fifth of all jobs in London do not pay a decent wage, leaving hundreds of thousands of Londoners struggling. This November I announced an increase in the London Living Wage rate to £10.55 per hour, and publicly called on our city’s big employers to step up and pay it. Institutions such as Picturehouse should consider following the lead of other accredited London Living Wage employers like Curzon Cinemas.

Question No: 2018/3210

Andrew Dismore

Will London benefit from the High Street fund announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget? Is this enough to help struggling high streets in London?

Written response from the Mayor

MHCLG has yet to publish further details on the full prospectus for the £675 million Future High Streets Fund, as announced in the Budget, so it is impossible to say at this stage how this fund could help London’s high streets. Further details have been promised later this year.

Retailers and related businesses, including pubs and restaurants, may benefit from the estimated £900 million business rates discount announced in the Budget, which will offer a one third reduction in rates bills over the next two years on eligible properties with a rateable value of under £51,000. However, the benefit of this will be more limited in inner and central London than the rest of the country, as the capital’s higher rental values will mean that many retail businesses will not fall below the qualification threshold.

Question No: 2018/3211

Andrew Dismore

How many London organisations have now signed up to the Women’s Night Safety Charter?

Written response from the Mayor

36 organisations have signed up to the Women’s Night Safety Charter. This includes large employers such as TfL, the Met Police and local authorities, and venues like the O2, which was recently named the world’s most popular music venue. It also includes 11 membership organisations, such as UK Hospitality and the Music Venue Trust, who will promote the Charter to their members as well as implementing it for their own staff and customers.

Question No: 2018/3212

Andrew Dismore

What action are you taking to reduce the disability pay gap in London?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3213

Andrew Dismore

Research from the London School of Economics has found that young women and girls are less likely to aspire to the top paying professions compared to young men and boys. What action are you taking to break down gender stereotypes?

Written response from the Mayor

My #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign has made a very clear link between the gender pay gap and gender stereotypes.  This is one reason that as part of that campaign we raised the profile of women (from today and from the past) who have broken down stereotypes. In addition, my recent Equal Play event brought together 150 stakeholders from across businesses and education to challenge stereotypes, particularly around girls and STEM. My new resource with the V&A Museum of Childhood will help families explore how play can affect children’s careers aspirations, and my new Gender Action Award will support teachers to place gender equality at the heart of education. My Digital Talent Programme also specifically supports young women seeking a path into the highly-paid tech sector.

Question No: 2018/3214

Andrew Dismore

Following on from Question No: 2018/2781, The Leader of Barnet Council was asked a written question at Full Council on Tuesday 30th October if he would “guarantee that a separate food waste collection will be restored in Barnet?” His full response was “No”. The Environment Committee chair was asked “When will a separate food waste collection service be restored?”, the response was “Maybe not”.

Do you believe Barnet Council are being straightforward and honest in their negotiations with you?

Written response from the Mayor

On the 28^th of September, the London borough of Barnet and the GLA reached agreement that Barnet Council would only temporarily suspend its food waste collection and undertake an independent review of its recycling collection services to see where they could be improved.

Since that time, officers from our respective organisations have worked diligently and positively in delivering the terms of that agreement. Public communications were issued by Barnet that made the temporary nature of the suspension clear. They also stated that it would be reintroduced in line with the requirements of my London Environment Strategy (by 2020) and that residents should retain their brown ‘caddies’ in anticipation of the reintroduction of the service. In addition, my officers report good progress on the independent review of the service that I insisted upon prior to the services reintroduction.

Given this, I was surprised and concerned at the public responses by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet member which appeared to contradict our agreement, and which could cause confusion for Barnet’s residents.

I have therefore written to the Leader expressing concern and requesting that our agreement is accurately reflected in future public communications, especially with the public.

Question No: 2018/3215

Andrew Dismore

Please provide figures for the number of Londoners that are working in the “gig economy”?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3216

Andrew Dismore

Is the rise in the “gig economy” responsible for the rise in Londoners in insecure work? What other contributing factors are there?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3217

Andrew Dismore

In what sectors in London is the “gig economy” most prevalent? Please provide figures.

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3218

Andrew Dismore

What age groups are most prevalent in London in the “gig economy”?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3219

Andrew Dismore

Will the business rate relief announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget, which means businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 and under will see their bill cut by a third over a two-year period, help London’s businesses?

Written response from the Mayor

Any scheme to assist hard pressed businesses is welcome but yet again, as he did in his 2017 Budget, the Chancellor has announced another temporary sticking-plaster measure which fails to address the underlying problems inherent in the current business rates system. Due to the qualifying threshold the scheme will offer limited help to eligible businesses in central and inner London.

It is important to be clear that the business rates relief scheme announced in the Budget will only be available to a range of retail properties including, but not limited to, shops, restaurants, pubs, and hairdressers – it will not apply to all businesses. The Government estimates that 90% of independent retail premises nationally will benefit but the percentage will be much lower in central and inner London due to the £51,000 rateable value qualification threshold. And due to state aid limits major high street, pub and restaurant chains which were very badly hit by the 2017 revaluation in London will not benefit at all.

It will be for individual London boroughs to award the relief in line with the parameters set by Government.

What businesses in London need is a fundamental review of the business rates system – similar to the Barclay review north of the border – not more short-term fixes alongside devolution of the tax to London government so that we can design a property tax that reflects the capital’s unique circumstances and higher rents.

Question No: 2018/3220

Andrew Dismore

What is the total number of London’s businesses that have a rateable value under £51,000? Please break this down by size of business?

Written response from the Mayor

The GLA does not hold this data in the format requested.

Business rates valuations and the preparation of the valuation list are the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency. Billing authorities will hold data on individual ratepayers liable to pay business rates bills – as opposed to the number of businesses by sector – but a summary analysis of this information is not publicly available.

The relief scheme announced in the Budget in any case only applies to retailers and related businesses such as pubs, cafes and restaurants. So this information would not assist in determining how many companies will benefit from the scheme.

The GLA is able to estimate that there were over 240,000 hereditaments in London on the draft 2017 rating list with a rateable value below £51,000 – equivalent to more than 75% of assessments on the local rating list. However, this will include assessments such as parking spaces, mobile phone masts, advertising rights as well as offices, industrial and manufacturing premises and public sector buildings which are not eligible for the new retail relief scheme. Similarly it will include retail premises likely to be ineligible for the relief due to state aid limits.

The most recent retail relief scheme in 2015-16 – which offered a discount of £1,500 to eligible properties with a rateable value below £51,000 on the previous 2010 rating list – was only taken up by around 45,000 retail businesses in the capital. This is equivalent to less than 20 per cent of the number of hereditaments on the 2017 list with a rateable value below £51,000.

Question No: 2018/3221

Andrew Dismore

Please provide the number of rateable values in London under £51,000 by sector?

Written response from the Mayor

The GLA does not hold this data in the format requested. Business rates valuations and the preparation of the valuation list are the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency.

The relief scheme announced in the Budget in any case only applies to retailers and related businesses such as pubs, cafes and restaurants. So, this information would not assist in determining how many companies will benefit from the scheme.

The GLA is able to estimate that there were over 240,000 hereditaments in London on the draft 2017 rating list with a rateable value below £51,000 – equivalent to more than 75% of assessments on the local rating list. However, this will include assessments such as parking spaces, mobile phone masts, advertising rights as well as offices, industrial and manufacturing premises and public-sector buildings which are not eligible for the new retail relief scheme. Similarly, it will include retail premises likely to be ineligible for the relief due to state aid limits.

The most recent retail relief scheme in 2015-16 – which offered a discount of £1,500 to eligible properties with a rateable value below £51,000 on the previous 2010 rating list – was only taken up by around 45,000 retail businesses in the capital. This is equivalent to less than 20 per cent of the number of hereditaments on the 2017 list with a rateable value below £51,000.

Question No: 2018/3222

Andrew Dismore

Please provide the number of rateable values in London under £51,000 by borough?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3223

Andrew Dismore

Following the failure of Secretary of State Liam Fox MP to secure a “copy and paste” deal with the World Trade Organisation, the UK is likely to entre a protracted period of post-Brexit negotiations. What is your assessment of the impact of this on London’s economy?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3224

Andrew Dismore

You have arranged for ‘London is open’ to be translated into different languages depending on the local population. The list of stations where vinyl stickers are being installed is:

Perivale (Polish)

Kilburn (Irish)

Gloucester Road (French)

Edgware (Romanian)

Stockwell (Portuguese)

Bounds Green (Cypriot)

Lancaster Gate (Spanish)

Wood Green (Bulgarian)

Canning Town (Lithuanian)

Kentish Town (Greek)

What consultation did you have with these communities and local representatives about where to put these stickers: for example, Romanian could be better placed at Burnt Oak rather than Edgware; and what plans do you have to put these stickers on other stations?

Written response from the Mayor

Using census data, we identified 15 of the highest concentrated EU populations living in London, and placed these signs in 10 of the TfL stations located closest to these communities. This list was sense-checked by experts in our Communities team who consulted networks and led conversations to ensure that both the placements and languages were appropriate.  There are no plans at present  to place these stickers at other locations however the London is Open campaign will continue to invest in informing, signposting and directly outreaching within these communities.

Question No: 2018/3225

Andrew Dismore

Are you aware that the ONS conception statistics indicate that the number of conceptions of under 20s fell from 113,330 in 1990 to 56,111 in 2016. Last year the chief executive of the Family Planning Association Natika Halil told the Independent “This reduction is thanks to the hard work of health and education professionals, and the legacy of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy – a key component of which was improving access to contraception,”

How then would you respond to a suggestion by some that handing out free contraception would lead to higher crime?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3226

Andrew Dismore

I am sure you will have heard the appalling stereotypes that have been touted in some quarters about women having babies in order to obtain council flats in London. Will you take this opportunity to make clear that you do not agree this is the case, and to repudiate such comments?

Written response from the Mayor

Absolutely. The truth is that thousands of children in London are seeing their upbringing suffer because their families are forced to live in overcrowded social housing or insecure private rented housing. Anyone with an interest in the future of London should spend their energy getting more council homes built to help children in this position, rather than wasting time promoting this crude, unfair, and untrue stereotype which serves only to hurt other Londoners and expose their own prejudice.

Question No: 2018/3227

Andrew Dismore

North London Aquatics recently applied to the Crowdfund London team for funding as part of their community bid to retain diving facilities at Copthall. This bid was refused. Please could you state the reasons why?

Written response from the Mayor

Crowdfund London is a programme that aims to give more Londoners increased opportunity to bring forward small-scale neighbourhood improvement projects. We do, however, consider each case on its own merits and have encouraged ambitious plans and backed feasibility work in the past. These proposals are naturally much more complex, require increased scrutiny and demand scarce revenue funding.

In this case, we had concerns about the operational model in the longer term, for a facility deemed unviable by the local council. Although Crowdfund London is a good way to kick things off, this is most appropriate when dealing with a completely new, untested proposals. This pitch lacked clarity around key operational issues and strategic fit for the programme, which meant that we weren’t able to commit resource.

Question No: 2018/3228

Andrew Dismore

What further assistance are you providing to North London Aquatics to support their efforts to retain the diving facilities at Copthall?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are working to support North London Aquatics through conversations with London Sport, Swim England and Sport England. Officers have also provided verbal feedback on our decision.

Question No: 2018/3229

Andrew Dismore

Given the lack of deep pool diving facilities in North London, and the strong campaign waged by local residents to provide up to fifty accessible diving programmes per week, will you reconsider your decision not to award the spacehive funding?

Written response from the Mayor

Due to the way the programme and associated crowdfunding process operates, there is no scope to reconsider decisions. Each campaign that pitched to Crowdfund London represents a public live fundraising effort, and all are coordinated to happen at the same time. The GLA committed to making decisions for all on the same specific date, to be fair and consistent.

Question No: 2018/3230

Andrew Dismore

Now that the Chancellor and Prime Minister have announced the ‘end of austerity’, have they cancelled their impending cuts to the Transport for London budget? What is the cumulative total of the cuts so far and those to come over the next three years?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3231

Andrew Dismore

Transport for London plan on reducing the C2 bus service. Has Transport for London taken into account an increased population in west Euston because of HS2 work? Are they aware that road closures have already reduced public transport access for some communities there?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3232

Andrew Dismore

How will Transport for London meet the transport needs of young families, elderly and disabled given the long term disruption accessing bus and underground services around Euston, Camden Town, Mornington Crescent and Warren St? Shouldn’t Transport for London be increasing the only unaffected public transport link the C2 bus running north/south through Camden?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) recognises the importance of providing an accessible bus network to ensure that the transport needs of all user groups are met, and has taken this into account in its proposals.

There is surplus capacity on a number of bus corridors in central London, and TfL needs to remove excess capacity on under-used sections of the network to ensure buses run efficiently and cost effectively.

There is excess bus capacity between Camden Town and Portland Place, which has led to the proposal to replace route C2 with route 88 between Great Portland Street and Parliament Hill Fields. If TfL decides to go ahead with these proposals, there would be a decrease in bus capacity on Camden High Street and Hampstead Road; however, the new frequency of service would better match capacity to demand. A total of 35 buses an hour would run over four routes in each direction during peak times.

Route 88 would run via Albany Street, which avoids the disruption you describe. It replaces many route C2 links and provides adequate capacity on that section. There is no capacity requirement for running a higher frequency service via Albany Street, and this is expected to remain the case during any disruption in and around Hampstead Road and Euston. However, TfL will keep the route under review.

Question No: 2018/3233

Andrew Dismore

A constituent recently wrote to me to say the following:

” Recently the service has become shocking. The bus is so heinously crowded I choose to get the overground from Hampstead Heath and lug the buggy up the stairs at West Hampstead overground and then push the buggy (with a toddler on the buggy board) all the way home rather than get the direct bus. In the morning my husband regularly has to wait far longer than countdown tells us and then he has to stand with our toddler half the way. And this is at 7am!

“Is there anything that can be done on this bus. They cut the service and is it now just horrendous. Before they cut it the service wasn’t great but it was a bit more bearable.”

What is your response?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL is committed to improving access across London’s transport network. From next year, West Hampstead Overground station will become step-free, therefore improving access for disabled passengers and those with buggies.

On route C11, buses run up to every ten minutes. While there may be occasions when buses are busy, and some passengers may need to stand, Transport for London’s (TfL’s) data shows that there is enough capacity for demand. Its data also shows that reliability has not worsened. However, the route will remain under review, and TfL will of course be happy to look into any specific issues your constituents encounter.

Question No: 2018/3234

Andrew Dismore

On 7th August a constituent had a serious accident at Golders Green station, where their case was trapped in the tube doors when boarding. the ‘door closing’ warning bleep was not sounding. As they pushed the case in, my constituent’s arms and shopping bag were trapped in the door, but the driver did not open the doors again until assistance was given by another passenger. Despite requesting the CCTV footage in time, it has been deleted due to “human error”. Will you investigate this incident and find out why the CCTV was deleted, and whether footage can be kept for longer?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3235

Andrew Dismore

What does Transport for London claim the life expectancy to be, of the rubber pads and fixings they have been retrofitting to concrete sleepers in an attempt to reduce noise affecting neighbouring homes?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) expects the effectiveness of these of rubber pads to last for at least ten years.

In some instances, TfL is installing these rubber pads on tighter curves than other networks. As a result, TfL continues to monitor the noise levels where they have been installed, in order to assess their condition.

Question No: 2018/3236

Andrew Dismore

What is the average length of time between Transport for London receiving a resident’s complaint of tube noise and remedial action taking place?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) treats all noise complaints on a case-by-case basis, and aims to resolve each complaint as soon as possible.

Where rail joint removal is required, this can be resolved within a few weeks. Where it is determined that, for example, the installation of resilient track fastenings or rail replacement is required, works can take a number of months to be planned, scheduled and delivered. These works also need to be scheduled alongside any safety critical works required, or other improvements which require access to the track.

TfL will continue to do all it possibly can to minimise noise and limit disruption to residents living above or close to the Tube.

Question No: 2018/3237

Andrew Dismore

In how many tube noise complaint cases have Transport for London told residents that there is nothing, or nothing further, to be done to remediate the noise or remaining noise?

Written response from the Mayor

In 2018, Transport for London (TfL) has received 274 noise and vibration complaints, from nearby properties, which relate to the day-to-day running of the Tube network. Of these, TfL has closed 51 cases because there was no solution.

There are many sites across the Underground network where, due to the age of the track infrastructure and current technology, it is not always possible to reduce the noise levels to the standards that residents would like.

TfL will continue to take all reasonable measures to minimise noise and limit disruption to residents living above or close to the Tube.

In areas where noise cannot currently be reduced to the standards desired by residents, TfL continue to work alongside industry and academia to further understand noise and vibration, and to trial new products and solutions.

Question No: 2018/3238

Andrew Dismore

Following on from Question No: 2018/2805, what assessment has been made of the resilient track fixing in Mornington Crescent, where repeat complaints on the Bank Branch between Euston and Camden Town have been logged, owing to an increase in noise again after the resilient fixings were installed?

Written response from the Mayor

At Mornington Crescent, Transport for London (TfL) completed the installation of further resilient track fastenings – and rail joint removal – in October 2018. The resilient track fastenings have significantly reduced noise levels, and the majority of noise complaints have now been closed.

TfL is currently assessing what further options to reduce noise levels are available at this location.

Question No: 2018/3239

Andrew Dismore

Following on from Question No: 2018/2806, if concrete sleepers have not been used to replace wooden ones in deep tunnels, what materials have been used?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London now uses slab track, with resilient track fastenings.

This means there are no sleepers, and there is a concrete ‘slab’ which holds the rail. Resilient track fastenings are utilised, meaning rail noise and vibration is controlled.

Question No: 2018/3240

Andrew Dismore

How many noise complaints relate to the introduction of concrete slab track? When was the first concrete slab track installed? How much of it now has resilient fixings? How many complaints have been made again since the installation of resilient fixings relating to areas where the fixings are installed?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has not received any noise complaints that relate to the introduction of the new slab track. This was first installed on the LU network in January 2014.

This slab track includes resilient track fastenings as standard, meaning rail noise and vibration is controlled.

Question No: 2018/3241

Andrew Dismore

Please provide numbers of tube noise complaints logged by year, providing a breakdown between those that relate to night tube noise once the trains are outside tunnel and those in tunnel.

Written response from the Mayor

In 2016, Transport for London (TfL) received 375 noise and vibration complaints, from nearby properties, which relate to the day-to-day running of the Tube network. Of these, 61 were the result of airborne noise (which is associated with trains running outside of tunnels), and 314 were the result of groundborne noise (which is associated with trains running inside tunnels). Of these 375 complaints, 313 relate to Night Tube lines.

In 2017, TfL received 314 such complaints. Of these, 32 were the result of airborne noise, and 282 were the result of groundborne noise. Of these 314 complaints, 261 relate to Night Tube lines.

In 2018 (up to 13 November), TfL received 274 such complaints. Of these, 75 were the result of airborne noise, and 199 were the result of groundborne noise. Of these 274 complaints, 235 relate to Night Tube lines.

Question No: 2018/3242

Andrew Dismore

The Finchley Central southbound track has not yet been replaced – do Transport for London have plans to do so? If so, are they a) now monitoring the sound due to southbound trains b) writing up a contract for Balfour Beatty that ensures it is their responsibility to do this without increasing noise? If there isn’t monitoring or ensuring this with the contractor, why not?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) plans to replace the southbound track from West Finchley to Finchley Central in 2020/21. TfL has carried out a number of noise assessments in this area over recent months, and will continue to do so.

While standalone noise and vibration assessments are not part of these contracts, TfL’s contractors deliver in accordance with their track construction standards, using TfL approved materials. This ensures that noise and vibration levels are kept as low as is practicable.

Question No: 2018/3243

Andrew Dismore

Is it correct that the contracts let to Balfour Beatty to replace or repair tube track did not require them to take account of or mitigate the effects of noise on nearby residents once the work is completed ; and if so are such contracts continuing to be let?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) understands the importance of minimising noise levels, and is determined to do more to achieve this.

While standalone noise and vibration assessments are not part of these contracts, TfL’s contractors deliver in accordance with their track construction standards, using TfL approved materials. This ensures that noise and vibration levels are kept as low as is practicable.

Question No: 2018/3244

Andrew Dismore

The resilient track fixings installed at Mornington Crescent appear to be wearing out far faster than Transport for London were led to believe they would. The manufacturer states that the fixings have a lifespan of 10 years but in Germany there have been reports of them only lasting 2 years, and it appears that at Mornington Crescent they have worn out after only 1 year.

Transport for London is not going to have the budget to change the fixings every two years. Therefore will you now instruct them to stop replacing timber sleepers elsewhere on the network with concrete slab tracks? And what further action will you be taking to reduce noise at Mornington Crescent?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has been installing resilient track fastenings for over two years, and has not observed increasing noise levels. TfL continues to monitor noise levels and has no evidence of the fastenings degrading.

At Mornington Crescent the majority of noise complaints have been closed, following a significant reduction in noise levels. TfL is currently assessing what further options to reduce noise levels are available in this area.

Question No: 2018/3245

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2018/2215 If you cannot confirm that no further Class172 trains will transfer from Arriva Rail London to West Midlands Trains before full Class710 operation commences on the Barking – Gospel Oak service, please state on which dates the remaining seven trains are scheduled to transfer.

Written response from the Mayor

Arriva Rail London initially arranged to extend the lease of the remaining six diesel trains until 9 December 2018, by when it was expected that the new electric trains would have been introduced. However, discussions are at an advanced stage for this to be extended further so that the diesel trains continue to be available until after the new electric trains enter passenger service.

Question No: 2018/3246

Andrew Dismore

According to Business Insider UK, at the “Manifesto for London” event this year, there were proposals to scrap the freedom pass for hundreds of thousands of Londoners by raising the eligible age to 75. Do you support this, or is the freedom pass safe in your hands?

Written response from the Mayor

I am happy to confirm that the Freedom Pass is safe in my hands.

Unfounded reports of this kind can cause real concern to some older Londoners.

Question No: 2018/3247

Andrew Dismore

According to Business Insider UK, at the “Manifesto for London” event this year, there were proposals to scrap the Hopper Bus. Do you support this?

Written response from the Mayor

Absolutely not.

I promised the hopper in my manifesto and I am delighted with its success to date.

Question No: 2018/3248

Andrew Dismore

Do you support the introduction of autonomously driven buses, described as “killer buses” as was advocated at the “Manifesto for London” event this year according to Business Insider UK?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) does not have plans to introduce autonomous bus services.

TfL would only consider the introduction of such buses once their safety and technical feasibility is proved and the regulatory and legislative basis exists for their potential use.

In considering the introduction of new technology to its network, TfL works closely with customers, stakeholders, trades unions and staff to understand any impacts and agree the appropriate course of action.

Question No: 2018/3249

Andrew Dismore

A study by a leading toxicology expert has found ‘huge concentrations’ of potential carcinogens in residue around Grenfell Tower. What are the risks of this, and what action has been taken to protect nearby residents?

Written response from the Mayor

The suggestion of harmful soil contamination resulting from the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower is concerning, and immediate steps must be taken to reassure local residents that an accurate assessment of the situation has being made, and any mitigation measures that may be required are put in place.

A month ago, I wrote to Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, to raise my concerns and understand what action is being taken, given the Council’s responsibilities for land contamination.  The Government has since committed to further environmental sampling, water analysis and health monitoring to better understand the risks to residents.

I will continue to push the Government and the Council to ensure this is in place as quickly as possible.

Question No: 2018/3250

Andrew Dismore

Finchley Central tube station car park entrance sign says that Blue Badge owners can park in designated bays for free. On October 6th, a constituent   parked in a designated bay displaying his Blue Badge as required yet received a fine notice for £100. Is this fair?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL is committed to offering a wide range of accessible transport options so that everyone can get around. As part of this, TfL offers free parking in designated bays for registered Blue Badge holders at all its car parks, including Finchley Central tube station car park.

Notices at Finchley Central car park explain that this car park has Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. Therefore, all drivers, including Blue Badge holders, need to register their vehicle at one of the terminals in the car park. Once registered, the Blue Badge holder is able to park for free.

After confirming that your constituent possessed a Blue Badge, the Penalty Charge Notice issued was dropped. TfL is actively working with National Car Parks (NCP) to make sure instructions for Blue Badge holders in its ANPR car parks are clear and simple to understand.

Question No: 2018/3251

Andrew Dismore

Will you please give an update on your efforts to get central Government to implement a car scrappage scheme; and when was your last contact with Government on this issue?

Written response from the Mayor

I have long made the case for why a national vehicle scrappage fund is needed to help small businesses, low-income Londoners and charities to get the most polluting vehicles off our streets now. It is only fair that we help people to shift to cleaner vehicles or modes of transport given past government incentives to purchase more polluting diesel vehicles.

I am now working with other city leaders to make the case for scrappage and we jointly wrote to the Chancellor in October about this ahead of the budget. I was disappointed it was not therefore funded but I will continue to make the case to government as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review next year.

In addition, my officials regularly discuss this with their counterparts at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department for Transport and at the Treasury.

Question No: 2018/3252

Andrew Dismore

Wandsworth Council have again raised proposals for a bridge at Nine Elms, which if progressed would mean a major land grab on the Westminster side of the river, losing significant open space. What is your view of this scheme; and will you confirm that Transport for London will not make any contribution financially to the scheme?

Written response from the Mayor

The London Borough of Wandsworth are leading on the project, and the scheme would have to be designed to ensure that it balances the needs and views of local people on both sides of the river, including securing planning permission from Westminster City Council.

Over the last two years, Transport for London (TfL) has not spent any money on the development of this project. One member of staff in TfL’s City Planning team has provided limited technical assistance when requested by the borough, which is standard practice for borough-led schemes.

There is no provision in TfL’s business plan for expenditure on this project – nor do I anticipate that there will be going forward. Our focus is on new river crossings in the east of the city, including between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf, where the river is a significant barrier to those walking and cycling. West London is relatively well served by existing river crossings in comparison. In the proposed location of the Nine Elms to Pimlico Bridge, Cycle Superhighway 8 runs across Chelsea Bridge to the west and Cycle Superhighway 5 provides a protected route across Vauxhall Bridge to the east.

Question No: 2018/3253

Andrew Dismore

Toilets at West Hampstead & Kilburn Jubilee Line stations now seem to be permanently closed. Do you agree that public toilets are important especially for older people when travelling? The lack of these facilities can lead to a growth in social isolation, as people are less likely to go out if there are not public toilets available. As London is taking steps to become an Age Friendly City, closing toilets at stations is a retrograde step.  What is the reason the toilets are closed, and will you reopen them?

Written response from the Mayor

There are occasions when Transport for London (TfL) has to lock customer toilets at its stations to ensure the safety of customers. Reported incidents at West Hampstead and Kilburn stations of drugs paraphernalia being found in the public toilets, and of vandalism, has led to the decision by local management at the stations to close the toilets. Closing the toilets following these incidents was the correct thing to do to ensure the safety and security of customers and staff.

TfL is aware that there are customers who find the closure of the toilets an inconvenience. Customers wishing to use the toilet should speak to station staff who will allow customers to use the facility under their authority.

TfL is reviewing its toilet policy to determine how best to provide a consistent service across all customer toilets, including consistency in availability and opening times.

Question No: 2018/3254

Andrew Dismore

Are you aware of the substantial opposition locally to Transport for London’s plan to reroute bus route 384; and will you ask Transport for London to think again about this scheme?

Written response from the Mayor

I am aware of the issues that have been raised in this local bus consultation and thank all respondents for taking the time to give their views.

The consultation closed on 9 November and Transport for London is now carefully considering the feedback before deciding how to proceed.

Question No: 2018/3255

Andrew Dismore

Residents report that Transport for London have bought and delivered to the Potters Bar garage new signs for the 384 bus route, even though the consultation on changing the route had not yet been completed. Is this true, and what was the reason? Is this not a pre-judging of the consultation, which would leave Transport for London open to a judicial review?

Written response from the Mayor

I can confirm that no decision has been taken on whether to proceed with proposals for the 384. The consultation closed on 9 November and Transport for London (TfL) is now carefully considering the feedback received. A decision will be made in due course.

Standalone orders for bus destination blinds are very costly, so the bus operator for the 384, Metroline, decided to order signs for the proposed new route as part of a larger order to keep costs low. Metroline is now equipped to deal with either destination, irrespective of what decision TfL makes following the consultation.

Question No: 2018/3256

Andrew Dismore

What was the reason for Transport for London not publicising the extension of the consultation period and not updating the information at bus stops?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3257

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question 2018/2208, have the outstanding 10 boroughs uploaded their cases onto the register; and if not, which boroughs have failed to do so?

Written response from the Mayor

I am pleased to say that all London boroughs with relevant enforcement records to add have now done so.

Question No: 2018/3258

Andrew Dismore

Can you please provide a revised breakdown of a) the number of rogue landlords, and b) the number of offences, registered per borough?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3259

Andrew Dismore

By neighbouring brigade, on how many occasions over the last 12 months, for each month, has mutual assistance been called upon to support LFB operations?

Written response from the Mayor

Changes to mobilisation arrangements were introduced in March 2018 which has reduced the number of times London Fire Brigade has called on over-the-border resource.

Based on the numbers of appliances mobilised, rather than incidents, the data requested is presented in the table below.

Question No: 2018/3260

Andrew Dismore

By neighbouring brigade, on how many occasions over the last 12 months, for each month, has mutual assistance been given by LFB to support their operations?

Written response from the Mayor

Since the changes to the mobilisation arrangements in March 2018, there are now approximately the same number of mobilisation of county appliances into London as LFB appliances into counties in the long run.

Based on the numbers of appliances mobilised rather than incidents, the data requested is presented in the table below.

Question No: 2018/3261

Andrew Dismore

By neighbouring brigade, what has been the cost to LFB, for the last 12 months, of mutual assistance called upon to support LFB operations?

Written response from the Mayor

The table calculates the cost using the hourly charge rates and assumes that each appliance attended an incident for one hour. For incidents in 2017/18, the hourly recharge rate for each appliance was £328 (excl VAT) and in 2018/19 is £333 (excl VAT). This is subject to a reconciliation process with the neighbouring brigades which determines how long the fire engines were at each incident and varies the charge.

Question No: 2018/3262

Andrew Dismore

By neighbouring brigade, what has been the income to LFB, for the last 12 months, of mutual assistance given by LFB to support their operations?

Written response from the Mayor

The information set out in the table below has been calculated on the same basis as the data provided in Mayor’s Question 2018/3261.

Question No: 2018/3263

Andrew Dismore

What financial contribution is made by a) the London Fire Brigade, b) individual boroughs and c) any other bodies to the running of the Fire Cadets programme in London?

Written response from the Mayor

The Fire Cadets programme in London is funded through a combination of permanent funding from LFB and sponsorship received from local authorities and corporate sponsors.

For 2018/19, forecast costs for the programme are £549k. This is comprised of £192k permanent funding from London Fire Brigade (LFB), £123k from local authorities and other sponsors and £234k funding from LFB reserves to support setting up new units in boroughs across London. The reserves are made up of £89k from the London Safety Plan implementation fund and £145k from LFB Enterprises.

Question No: 2018/3264

Andrew Dismore

Is any work being done to present the data captured by Vision in an open system that can be integrated with other public sector data sets? Do you see any opportunities for preventative work using this information?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3265

Andrew Dismore

In response to my question “Learning from Kensington and Chelsea’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire” (19 Oct 2018), you wrote that local authorities were working on capacity, capability and standardisation. What changes have been made to procedures since the Riordan/Ney review?

Written response from the Mayor

Work has progressed to establish consistent understanding of how the London Local Authority Gold Resolution is applied to support the London Local Authorities collective and coordinated response arrangements. This includes publishing additional guidance to Chief Executives including reference to available peer support during an incident, enhanced training for Local Authority Gold officers and the establishment of a London Local Authority Concept of Operations which underpins the development of a standardised approach to core local authority emergency response functions, such as control centre staff, on-scene liaison officers and staff working in emergency centres.

Question No: 2018/3266

Andrew Dismore

How many a) verbally abusive and b) physical attacks on firefighters have been recorded in 2018 to date, 2017, 2016 and 2015? If possible, please break this data down by borough.

Written response from the Mayor

Table 1 – Incidents, by year and borough, where an attack on firefighters is recorded

Notes: Data for 2018 to 3 November 2018

“Other” includes objects thrown, harassment, and other acts

Question No: 2018/3267

Andrew Dismore

Do you support the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety’s call for the forthcoming ban on flammable cladding to be applied to existing buildings, to projects currently underway, and to residential and non-residential buildings?

Written response from the Mayor

Yes. In August I responded to the Government’s consultation, pointing out that the ban will be meaningless for the majority of Londoners unless steps are taken to force the removal of combustible materials from existing buildings. Furthermore, I support a ban which applies to all new buildings, regardless of height or use.

Question No: 2018/3268

Andrew Dismore

How many a) injuries and b) callouts connected to fireworks and bonfires were recorded by LFB in the periods 3 Nov to 8 Nov 2016, 2 Nov to 7 Nov 2017, and 1 Nov to 6 Nov 2018?

Written response from the Mayor

Question No: 2018/3269

Andrew Dismore

What discussions have you had with the London Fire Brigade about the disposal of their surplus estate?

Written response from the Mayor

London Fire Brigade has six surplus sites: the former fire station and headquarters at 8 Albert Embankment, the former Southwark Training Centre and fire station, the former fire stations at Clerkenwell, Mitcham and Bounds Green, and the basement and part ground floor of 206 Brompton Road. My Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience has regular conversations with the London Fire Commissioner and Brigade officers about the status of the sites.

Question No: 2018/3270

Andrew Dismore

How many Fire Safe and Well visits has the London Fire Brigade conducted in 2018 to date, 2017, 2016 and 2015? Please provide this data by borough.

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3271

Andrew Dismore

What assessment has the London Fire Brigade made of a) the cost and b) the effectiveness of the Fire Safe and Well programme?

Written response from the Mayor

A full programme of evaluation is due to commence in January 2019 after one year of delivery, using the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Standard Evaluation Framework. The evaluation process will include a cost benefit analysis of the pilot and other potential delivery options. An assessment of the overall impact across the health partnership of the interventions provided by the pilot will be included as part of the cost benefit analysis. Initial qualitative feedback from health and care partners and recipients of the visits has been extremely positive.

Question No: 2018/3272

Andrew Dismore

London Fire Brigade has said they have conducted more than 1100 fire safety audits to buildings with flammable cladding since June 2017. Other than flammable cladding, what fire safety issues have been identified by these audits?

Written response from the Mayor

The audits carried out by London Fire Brigade have included an audit of the general fire precautions. This includes a review of the fire risk assessment, training records, maintenance records and a physical sampling of those areas to which the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies. The most common issues arising have been in relation to breaches of compartmentation, defects relating to fire doors and no or lack of a sufficient and suitable fire risk assessment. Where such issues have been found the responsible person for the premises has been informed. In more serious cases, an enforcement notice has been issued including a schedule for remediation.

Question No: 2018/3273

Andrew Dismore

What assessment has the London Fire Brigade done of the Grange Estate in East Finchley, and the inclusion of fire breaks in the rooves of flats after the recent fire in Willow House? Has the LFB also assessed the safety of the rest of the building, which has been re-occupied?

Written response from the Mayor

A fire safety officer from London Fire Brigade attended this incident and did not identify any immediate fire safety concerns. While the fire involved an area of common roof space, the entire roof was divided by partition walls at regular intervals and these ‘breaks’ performed as expected and there was no unusual fire spread. A post fire audit to the affected block was scheduled by the local fire safety team, however access to the building was not possible due to the damage caused by the fire. Fire safety officers will be visiting the Grange Estate to carry out further fire safety checks and local crews have already conducted home fire safety visits on the estate as part of efforts to reassure residents.

Question No: 2018/3274

Andrew Dismore

Was the evacuation of residents from the recent fire in Willow House performed in a satisfactory manner, and were all the required fire safety measures, such as suitable doors in place?

Written response from the Mayor

There were no reported issues with the evacuation of residents at this incident and the attending fire safety officer did not identify any immediate fire safety concerns.

Question No: 2018/3275

Andrew Dismore

Will you put pressure on Barnet Council to ensure that those who lost their homes in the fire are rehoused nearby, and are kept in suitable local short-term accommodation until long term accommodation is found for them?

Written response from the Mayor

Although the fire must have been extremely distressing for all the residents who were evacuated, I was very relieved no one was injured. I’d like to extend my thanks to the emergency services who responded on the night. I understand from my team that all residents have now been provided with suitable short-term accommodation.

Question No: 2018/3276

Andrew Dismore

What elements are needed in a UK-EU deal to protect joint working on eliminating modern slavery?

Written response from the Mayor

The UK has been a lead member state in a number of important EU security projects, including the co-ordination of efforts to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking.

International cooperation in fighting this crime is crucial given that it crosses national boundaries. Maintaining the UKs involvement in key EU security arrangements (such as Europol, the European Arrest Warrant, Joint Investigation Teams, and data sharing tools) is essential. Just as important is ensuring that we continue to protect workers’ rights, currently enshrined in EU law.

Question No: 2018/3277

Andrew Dismore

What was the cost to the Met Police of President Trump’s recent visit? Have the Government funded this cost, or will they in the future? Have you had any such discussion with the Home Office?

Written response from the Mayor

A special grant claim for the costs of policing President Trump’s visit has been lodged with the Home Office. The gross cost is £3.2m including opportunity costs of £1.8m.  We await the Home Office decision as to funding.

Question No: 2018/3278

Andrew Dismore

Now that the Chancellor and Prime Minister have announced the end of austerity, have they cancelled their impending cuts to the Met police budget? What is the cumulative total of the cuts so far and those to come over the next three years?

Written response from the Mayor

The Chancellor’s Budget last month did not announce any increase in police funding. As a result of Government cuts the Metropolitan Police have been forced to make savings of £720m over recent years with a further £325m savings required by 2021. This is before accounting for an additional pressure of £130m per year from 2020 due to government changes to police and public sector pensions. It is crucial that the Home Secretary delivers his aspiration to make more money available for the police in the 2019-20 Police Funding Settlement in December.

Question No: 2018/3279

Andrew Dismore

In his budget speech, the Chancellor said: “The Home Secretary will review police spending power and further options for reform when he presents the provisional police funding settlement in December.” What are the implications of this for London?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2018/3280

Andrew Dismore

What is the cost to the Met of the police pay increase, if not reimbursed by the Government; what was the cost of last year’s pay increase; and how would this de facto cut in funding translate into numbers of police constables?

Written response from the Mayor

I am pleased that the capital’s hard-working police officers receive pay rises that they so truly deserve. We have the best police service in the world and they deserve to be paid properly – but with no additional funds to pay for it, the already stretched budgets will face greater pressure and inevitably mean cuts elsewhere.

Last financial year, the cost of the police officer pay award was £28.1m. This equates to approximately 468 officers.

This financial year the cost of the Met of the police officer pay increase was £28.8m. This equates to approximately 480 officers.

Question No: 2018/3281

Andrew Dismore

What is the cost to the Met of the change in police pension contributions, if not reimbursed by the Government; and how would this de facto cut in funding translate into numbers of police constables?

Written response from the Mayor

Home Office officials have informed police forces that they expect the pension contribution changes to result in increased employer contributions of £165m in 2019/20 and £417m in 2020/21 onwards.

If these figures are correct the MPS have estimated it will represent a £43 million unfunded cost in 2019-20, then £108 million in 2020-21 and the years which follow.

On top of this there are likely to be further costs associated with an increase in employer contributions to police staff pensions. These costs are less clear at this stage, but the Met’s current estimate is around £9 million in 2019-20, then £22 million in 2020-21 and beyond.

This approximately equates to over 850 officers in 2019/20 and over 2,150 officers from 2020/21 onwards.

I have written to the Prime Minister to express my concern about the implications of these unfunded costs on the Met’s budget.

Question No: 2018/3282

Andrew Dismore

What is the Met’s clear up rate by way of sanctioned detection for all reported crime for the last 12 months and the previous rolling 12 months; are you satisfied with this; and if not, what are you doing to improve it?

Written response from the Mayor

The SD rate for Total Notifiable Offences Nov ‘16-Oct ‘17 was 14.6%. For the same period 17-18 SD rate was 11%.

The MPS have committed to improving SD rates. With the introduction of Mi Investigation, all Frontline Police Officers are being developed to be effective crime Investigators. This ensures that trained Detectives can use their enhanced investigative skills to focus on Serious and Complex Crime. The MPS are investing in intelligence units supporting operational officers and in conjunction with this, aiming to maximise forensic opportunities at crime scenes: Increasing training and forensic awareness throughout the investigative process, including the point of first contact at METCC and TDIU. The MPS are also improving the way they progress positive identification of offenders from forensics, embedding senior forensics managers to each BCU.

Question No: 2018/3283

Andrew Dismore

What is the Met’s clear up rate by way of sanctioned detection for domestic burglary for the last 12 months and the previous rolling 12 months; are you satisfied with this; and if not, what are you doing to improve it?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.