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Boris Johnson: New powers
30 Apr 2010
The extra powers the Conservative plans have in stall for the Mayor.
Housing, £1.1bn
A huge political football and Mr Johnson must be careful not to kick it out. He will take over the responsibilities and budget of the London Homes and Communities Agency. Main tasks will be to deliver well-designed affordable homes, help boroughs tackle growing waiting lists for social housing, and develop brownfield sites and the Thames Estuary.
The change means he would no longer need proposals signed off by the housing minister.
It would be run as an arms-length body with much cash and power passed to the boroughs.
River Thames, no extra budget
The Port of London Authority answers to the Transport Secretary. Its priority is freight and the Mayor has struggled to get his voice heard.
Under the plans, he could appoint directors so he has some control of what happens on the river within London. Kent and Essex would also get seats. He could implement his river strategy, including building more piers and expanding the public boat service.
Olympic Legacy, £10m
The Olympic Park Legacy Company, run jointly by the Mayor and Government, has the power to dictate what happens to the site after 2012. Under the proposals, the Mayor would set up a development corporation and be given planning powers to decide on the site's future.
Royal Parks, £30m
The Mayor would be handed control of more than 5,000 acres of green space, the capital's eight Royal Parks.
It would run as a functional body headed by the Mayor, who could plan concerts, new cycle routes and catering facilities. He would also control the gardens of 10, 11 and 12 Downing Street. Buckingham Palace has been consulted.
Commuter rail, no extra budget
The Mayor has no formal role in suburban rail, beyond the London Overground route. New powers would give him an “enhanced” role in awarding and monitoring franchises, rather than just lobbying the Transport Department.
He could demand more frequent trains, more station staff, and influence ticketing, ensuring standards are raised.
Seventeen routes have been identified, including Victoria to Dartford, Charing Cross to Sevenoaks, Waterloo to Windsor and Liverpool Street to Shenfield, though these don't feature in the paper. It would not cover commuter routes to cities like Brighton and Cambridge.
Police, no extra budget
This is not in the paper, but the Tories have suggested they want to abolish the Metropolitan Police Authority and hand its scrutiny role to the London Assembly.
The Mayor would head the executive arm, effectively making him the city's first elected police commissioner. He would be responsible for recruiting a chief constable, shaping strategy and co-ordinating budgets.
Reader views (3)
We must keep an open mind, and look to the future, and not be to quick to rubbish new idea,s
- Enter your name here David Clark, Stratford England, 03/05/2010 13:53
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What happens when Ken gets re-elected? They may regret devolving so much power then!
- Fran FS, London, 30/04/2010 18:38
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God help us.
- Barry LS, London, 30/04/2010 18:03
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