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What is the GLA?
About the Greater London Authority
What is the Greater London Authority (GLA)?
The GLA is a unique form of strategic citywide government
for London. It is made up of a directly elected Mayor
- the Mayor of London - and a separately elected Assembly
- the London Assembly. When fully staffed, there will
be about 490 staff to help the Mayor and Assembly in
their duties.
The Mayor is London's spokesman. He leads the preparation
of statutory ,strategies on transport, spatial development,
economic development and the environment. He sets budgets
for the GLA, Transport for London, the London Development
Agency, the Metropolitan Police and London's fire services.
As Mayor, Ken Livingstone chairs Transport for London.
The Assembly scrutinises the Mayor's activities, questioning
the Mayor about his decisions. The Assembly is also
able to investigate other issues of importance to Londoners,
publish its findings and recommendations, and make proposals
to the Mayor.
What responsibilities does the GLA have?
The GLA's main areas of responsibility are
- Transport
- Policing
- Fire and emergency planning
- Economic development
- Planning
- Culture
- Environment
- Health
How is the GLA structured? There is
a clear separation of powers within the GLA between
the Mayor - who has an executive role, making decisions
on behalf of the GLA - and the Assembly, which has a
scrutiny role and is responsible for appointing GLA
staff. The internal organisation of the GLA takes account
of this separation.
Common services
The GLA has a pool of permanent staff who support the
work of the Mayor and the London Assembly. The Chief
Executive, Anthony Mayer, oversees the permanent staff
of the GLA and ensures that it operates effectively
and properly.
What resources does the GLA have?
The GLA has taken over control of a number of existing
government programmes in London on police, fire, transport
and economic development and regeneration. The total
budget amounts to £4.7 billion in 2002/2003.
The cost of the GLA itself will be about £49.9
million in 2002/03. Most of the £49.9 million
is met by central government grant. London council taxpayers
contribute a small amount - about 13p a week on a Band
D Council Tax bill.
Further information: GLA website www.london.gov.uk
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