Assembly recommends Mayor's candidate for TfL Chair

6.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

The London Assembly today agreed to recommend1 that Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, proceed with his appointment of Tim Parker as Chair of Transport for London (TfL).

Members of the Assembly's Confirmation Hearings Committee questioned Mr Parker on his qualifications and experience, as well as what he sees as the priorities and challenges for TfL in improving public transport in the capital.

While all Members of the Committee agreed with the recommendation to appoint Mr Parker, a majority of Members had some reservations that the Mayor may need to be mindful of in the future.

These reservations are outlined in a letter2 sent by Caroline Pidgeon AM, who chaired today's hearing, to the Mayor, on behalf of the Assembly, to recommend1 that the Mayor proceeds with Mr Parker's appointment.

Caroline Pidgeon AM said:

"All of us agreed that Mr Parker is a very able candidate with a strong record of achievement, and that the Mayor should proceed with his appointment.

"However, the majority of Committee Members had concerns about how his role as TfL Chair will work in practice, as he also needs to fulfil other roles - as First Deputy Mayor, Chief Executive of the GLA Group and a member of the LDA Board.

"There could also be a need for the Mayor to support and develop areas where Mr Parker may lack experience, namely environmental sustainability and the political interface in the public sector."

The Assembly's Confirmation Hearings Committee has the power3, under the 2007 GLA Act, to question a candidate the Mayor of London has put forward to take up one of ten posts4 - including TfL Chair - that the Assembly's powers relate to.

To view today's Confirmation Hearings Committee hearing in full visit:

http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/webcasts.jsp