Abolishing boroughs 'an ineffective way of improving London governance'

4.50.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Oct 2003

City of Westminster's offices

The Mayor's suggestion to create five 'super boroughs' for London to replace the current 33 authorities has been criticised by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats.

Graham Tope, leader of the Lib Dem Group, said:

"London is an exciting place to live in, a city that continues to evolve and develop. Unfortunately its local governance has failed to keep pace with such change. The Mayor's idea of replacing the current system with five authorities is not the way forward. However, something does need to be done.

"Since the last major review of London's local governance arrangements nearly 40 years ago, the capital has suffered under the Tory drive for centralisation that saw abolition of the GLC and ILEA and the neglect of effective London governance.

"In its place has grown a complicated web of often unaccountable bodies making decisions in which local people have no say. As well as central government, the GLA and the boroughs, there are now a range of private and public bodies trying to ensure that London functions effectively.

"Boroughs now increasingly use private companies to provide public services, while some services such as transport, police and fire have been taken over by the GLA. Several boroughs are struggling to cope with the various needs of London's diverse communities and the demands placed upon them under the current funding arrangements.

"In addition, central government has kept control over local government finance and some of the decisions affecting the capital. Despite the creation of the GLA, the Government Office for London and a Minister for London are just two examples of central government's continued direct involvement in London.

"It is an ineffective, confused system that fails to provide value for money. A more streamlined system with less bureaucracy and cost, that is more accountable to the electorate, would ensure greater co-ordination of service delivery as well as better reflecting the communities being served.

"The Local Governance in London Committee will be looking at how London can develop to meet the challenges it now faces. Many London assembly members, like myself, are or have served on local councils and our knowledge will be crucial in finding the best ways of delivering effective and efficient public services and the funding needed to support them."