A partnership of representatives from Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton council met for its first public meeting today to make its case to government for devolution.
The South London Partnership (SLP) has laid out its ambitious plans to develop and promote skills, innovation and boost people’s quality of life.
Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of Merton Council who was today appointed chair of a joint committee,which has been ratified by each member council, explained that the partnership could deliver the biggest growth opportunity in the capital.
He said: “This is a landmark opportunity for an unprecedented scale of growth in our region, which will bring huge benefits for local residents.
“South London represents one of the biggest growth opportunities not only in London but the entire country.
“We are starting from a position of strength and the strong track record we have of working together that demonstrates a single focus on delivery.
“Our message to government is quite clear – devolve us the powers we are asking for to unlock the growth potential in our region that will ensure London maintains its status as a global city in the coming decades.
“Together we offer the perfect platform to deliver a unique growth proposition benefiting both London and the UK.”
The South London region’s offer to government includes:-
The largest office location outside central London
The opportunity to create 20,000 new homes
More than half a million projected new jobs by 2036
A £5.21bn regeneration programme in Croydon creating more than 23,000 jobs
Easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow airports
The fastest growing tech sector outside central London
World renowned research institutions, such as National Physical Laboratory and Kew Gardens
In return the boroughs have agreed a joint ‘ask’ to government, which covers four key themes for growth, including:
Devolved decision-making powers– including devolved funding streams and budget holding at a local level, 100% retention of business rate relief
Matching skills to demandto support the local economy and create new jobs and businesses through devolved funding and commissioning at a local level
Realising infrastructure ambitions– including a stronger role in transport planning, local control of bus routes, and stronger orbital connections
Greater freedom to deliver homes– including a stronger voice in planning housing, easier and more direct routes to funding, removal of restrictions on borrowing
The SLP has already worked together which, the SLP argues, puts the region in a ready-made position for devolved powers and to deliver real change.
This includes the first four borough shared legal service in England, a regional collaboration to provide occupational therapy equipment and a range of shared IT, finance, HR and payroll systems and a long-established regional waste disposal service.
Picture courtesy of Merton Council, with thanks
Related Posts
Streatham MP Chuka Umunna endorses Liz Kendall for Labour leadership
10000
Labour leadership contender Liz Kendall has been backed by Streatham MP and shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna. Writing in the New Statesman he, along with his leadership team Stephen Twigg, Jonathan Reynolds and Emma Reynolds, nailed their colours to the mast branding her a ‘courageous’ candidate who is ‘challenging conventional wisdom’. Mr Umunna wrote: “For…
Kensington mum travelled 2,800 miles in bid to fix smile after London dentist quoted £18,000 for treatment
10000
A Kensington mum travelled to Belgium SEVEN TIMES to fix her pearly whites after being quoted £18,000 at her usual London practice. Thairah Shaker, 54, travelled to Belgium via Eurostar to get braces put on, three implants and several crowns put in saving more than £8,000 in the process. She told South West Londoner that she decided…
Former Tory Merton councillor Suzanne Evans to be ‘replaced’ in Nigel Farage’s UKIP ‘plotters’ purge
10000
Former Conservative Merton councillor and now UKIP deputy chairman Suzanne Evans is set to be replaced as head of policy as part of Nigel Farage’s clear out of alleged plotters. Just 24 hours after UKIP’s economic spokesman Patrick O’Flynn apologised and resigned after branding the party leader ‘snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive’ Farage looks set to…
Labour’s London mayoral race intensifies as Tooting MP Sadiq Khan resigns from shadow cabinet
10000
Tooting MP Sadiq Khan has resigned from his role in the shadow cabinet – paving the way for his mayoral ambitions. Mr Khan tendered his resignation to acting Labour leader Harriet Harman today marking what’s expected to be his entry into the selection content which officially launches on Wednesday. The Labour MP explained that it…
Veterans with dementia find comfort in creativity and dance at Surbiton's The Royal Star and Garter
10000
Ex-Servicemen and women living with dementia are finding solace in creativity at The Royal Star and Garter Home in Surbiton. More than 820,000 people in the UK live with dementia and a new case is diagnosed every three minutes. The Royal Star and Garter’s exemplary work, creatively caring for British veterans, is proving a leading…
The post You’ve heard of SNP, now here’s SLP: Five South London councils join forces demanding devolution appeared first on South West Londoner.