Abolish the Government Office for London

Cllr Barry Macleod-Cullinane, Harrow councillor and Political Adviser to the Conservative Group London Councils, reports on last night's London Councils fringe meeting in Birmingham

An expert panel at the London Councils' fringe meeting at Conference mapped out how the localism agenda presents significant opportunities to radically improve the delivery of local services, including policing and health.

Cllr. Merrick Cockell, the Conservative Chairman of London Councils, described how London was the best performing region in the country, with 31 of its 33 boroughs rated either 3 or 4 stars by the Audit Commission's CPA process.  Nor were they complacent: through Capital Ambition, London's boroughs are working collaboratively across borders and party political divides to improve services for Londoners.

Referring to London Councils' Trusting Devolution paper, drawn-up cross-party and sent to all the Mayoral candidates before May's elections (with only Boris responding), Cllr. Cockell highlighted policing and health as two exciting opportunities for localism. Unlike other parts of the countries, the boroughs enjoy "co-terminosity" of borders with their local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and police forces.  Through joint-commissioning and borough involvement in setting local policing priorities, Cllr. Cockell argued that devolving power to the councils would deliver better services, cost savings and greater democratic accountability.  And, as part of that localism, devolution agenda, Government Office for London (GOL) needs abolition.