Key information
Decision type: Mayor
Reference code: MD1640
Date signed:
Decision by: Boris Johnson, Former Mayor of London (May 2008 - May 2016)
Executive summary
This MD seeks Mayoral approval of the GLA Environment Team’s 2016-17 work programme and associated expenditure of up to a maximum of £756,000. Given the timing in the election cycle, only necessary commitments will be contractually entered into until the new Mayor has had the time to review the GLA budget.
Decision
That the Mayor approves expenditure of up to £756,000 to deliver the Environment Team’s 2016-17 work programme (as set out in section 2 of this report), which, when combined with previously agreed expenditure, totals £796,000.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
1.1 The Environment Team is required to undertake a range of activities as part of delivering on statutory functions involved in devolved national policies, supporting the implementation of the London Plan and the statutory London Environment Strategy, and providing inventories of data that other partners can use to deliver Mayoral priorities.
1.2 The Environment Team’s work programme has two objectives: To make London a resilient, greener city and a more resource efficient city. Underpinning both these objectives is the need to secure investment and create jobs, so the work programme focuses on seeking opportunities to diversify the economy and create the conditions for sustainable growth.
1.3 The Environment Team’s work programme will assist with achieving the Mayor’s vision of London being the “greatest city in the world” through:
• Delivering environmental commitments and strategies, using our strategic perspective and analysis to maximise impact and value for money
• Delivering on statutory responsibilities, both devolved national responsibilities and statutory strategies
• Working with key stakeholders to encourage and enable them to work more coherently together to deliver on the Mayor’s priorities
• Providing critical support to mayoral priorities such as working to deliver 2020 Vision and developing the London Infrastructure Plan, Smart City programme and the LEP’s work programme.
2.1 This work programme will contribute to:
• the development of the green economy, securing investment and creating jobs, including through the delivery of the London Infrastructure Plan
• the efficient delivery of London Plan environment policies and targets
• the efficient delivery of environment Strategy targets and commitments
A green and resilient city
• London to have the ‘best air quality of any major world city by 2020’ (Vision 2020)
• Increasing London’s tree cover by 5 per by 2025 (Vision 2020 and the Adaptation strategy)
• Increasing green cover in the Central Activity Zone by 5 per cent by 2030 (Adaptation strategy)
• Increasing resilience of critical infrastructure and vulnerable communities (Adaptation strategy)
• Raising awareness and building capacity of key stakeholders to address climate risk (Adaptation strategy)
• Promoting London as a safe place to do business and invest in (Adaptation strategy)
A resource efficient city
• Reducing London’s CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2015, 40 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2025 and 80 per cent by 2050 (Energy strategy)
• Supplying 25 per cent of London’s energy from decentralised sources by 2025 (Energy strategy)
• Helping to increase London’s water security by improving water efficiency (Adaptation strategy)
• Reducing the amount of household waste produced from 970kg per household in 2009/10 to 790kg per household by 2031 (Waste strategy)
• Recycling, or composting at least 45 per cent of municipal waste by 2015, 50 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2031. (Waste strategy)
• Reduce London’s waste management to save one mega tonne of CO2 equivalent per year by 2031 (waste strategy)
2.2 The table below sets out the main elements of the work programme, overall costs and immediate expenditure related decisions. Note there will be additional decisions required throughout the financial year to utilise all the available budget, or relating to any additional income or expenditure.
3.1 Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities are enshrined within the GLA’s programmes and activities according to the Mayor’s Framework for Equal Life Chances (June 2014). The framework aims to bring Londoners together rather than dividing them. It promotes outcomes for a diverse range of communities that seek to bring real changes to the quality of life for all Londoners. The Environment projects and programmes stem from the current suite of Environment strategies which was informed by a full Integrated Impact Assessment, which includes a consideration of equalities.
3.2 As a result Environment programmes and projects look to maximise their positive impact on all Londoners, through reducing the health impact of air quality, reducing fuel poverty, maximising energy security while keeping bills down, through to ensuring the resilience of London’s critical infrastructure and most vulnerable communities.
3.3 The Environment team is currently leading the coordinating of the development of a new Integrated Impact Assessment for all GLA strategies, with the aim of maximising coordination of strategies and benefit that they bring to all Londoners.
4.1 Key risks and issues
4.1.1 Delays in undertaking some of the activities listed above (due to not having budgets or contracts in place) are likely to lead to an interruption in service provision that may have a negative impact on the GLA's ability to address London's environmental issues and to respond quickly to a new Mayor's priorities in this area. Mitigation: The timelines and expected costs for all activities have been reviewed. In addition, risk registers will be drawn up for individual projects (where appropriate) to identify and monitor risks. High value / high risk projects will be monitored through IPB and lower value / lower value risks will be monitored through the Environment team’s monitoring and review process.
4.1.2 Staff resources have been identified within the GLA Environment team to manage and take forward the projects set out in 2.3. These are set out in the Environment Team’s business plan and will be monitored and reviewed by the Environment Team’s management team.
4.2 Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities
4.2.1 The Environment Team’s 2016-17 work programme will contribute towards:
• The efficient and effective delivery of Mayoral commitments
• The diversification of the economy (principally through supporting the growth of the green economy), driving investment and job creation
• The efficient and effective delivery of policies and targets in the London Plan and the Mayor’s environmental strategies, including:
4.2.2 Climate change mitigation and energy
• Reducing London’s CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2015, 40 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2025 against a 1990 baseline
• Supplying 25 per cent of London’s energy from decentralised energy sources by 2025
4.2.3 Air quality
• Halving road transport exhaust NOx emissions in central London by 2020 to deliver the best air quality of any major world city and achieve EU legal air quality limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
• Delivering a 64% reduction in particulate matter (PM2.5) transport exhaust emissions in central London by 2020 to protect human health.
• Fulfilling the Mayor’s statutory duties relating to Local Air Quality Management as set out in the Environment Act 1995.
• Securing investment in London for the next generation of ultra low emission vehicles to create jobs and growth as well as to deliver the Mayor’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.
4.2.4 Municipal waste management
• To reduce the amount of household waste produced from 970kg per household per year in 2009-10 to 790kg per household per year by 2031. This is equivalent to a 20 per cent reduction.
• To recycle or compost at least 45 per cent of municipal waste by 2015, 50 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2031
• To cut London’s greenhouse gas emissions from municipal waste management by one million tonnes CO2 equivalent by 2031.
4.2.5 Water
• Helping to balance London’s supply and demand for water by using the water we have more wisely, tackling water poverty and safeguarding the water environment
4.2.6 Green Infrastructure
• Increasing London’s tree cover by 5 per cent by 2025
• Increasing green cover in the Central Activities Zone by 5 per cent by 2030
4.2.7 Climate change adaptation
• Increasing resilience of critical infrastructure and vulnerable communities
• Raising awareness and building capacity of key stakeholders to manage prioritised risks
• Promoting London as a safe place to do business and invest in.
• Promoting London as an international leader in the ‘adaptation economy’.
4.3 Impact Assessments and consultations
4.3.1 Each of the Mayor’s environmental strategies, from where much of the Environment Team’s work programme has been drawn, have been through a formal process of consultation and integrated impact assessments have been undertaken.
5.1 This Mayoral Decision is seeking approval for the expenditure of Environment team’s 2016-17 programme budget totalling £756,000, as detailed in the main body of this report.
5.2 In addition of this work programme, the commitment of £40,000 for Capital Clean-Up work in 2016-17 has being approved via MD 1223.
5.3 This means the total Environment programme budget for 2016-17 is £796,000
6.1 The foregoing sections of this report indicate that:
6.1.1 the decisions requested of the Mayor fall within the GLA’s statutory powers to do such things considered to further or which are facilitative of, or conducive or incidental to the promotion of economic and social development and the improvement of the environment in Greater London. In formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought officers have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:
a. pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;
b. consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons, health inequalities between persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and
c. consult with appropriate bodies.
6.2 Section 2 of this report indicates that there may be contributions towards the costs of third party projects which amount to the provision of grant funding and not payment for works, supplies or services. Officers must ensure that:
6.2.1 the funding is distributed fairly, transparently, in accordance with the GLA’s equalities and in manner which affords value for money in accordance with the Contracts and Funding Code; and
6.2.2 appropriate funding agreements are put in place between and executed by the GLA and the recipient of the funding before any commitment to fund is made.
6.3 All other services or supplies required must be procured by Transport for London
Procurement (who will determine the detail of the procurement strategy to be adopted) in accordance with the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code. Officers must liaise with Transport for London Procurement in this regard and ensure that appropriate contracts are put in place between and executed by the GLA and the successful bidders before the commencement of any such services or supplies.
6.4 Officers must ensure that they comply fully with all GLA HR/Head of Paid Service protocols in respect of any staffing proposals, in particular the need to gain all necessary approvals for the creation of any new posts.
6.5 To the extent that it is proposed that any policy related activities are to be undertaken/funded under contracts/funding agreements for periods that extend beyond April 2016 officers must ensure that those contracts and funding agreements contain no fault break clauses and milestones and schedules are developed in a way which does not unreasonably fetter the discretion of a successor administration to terminate the same.
Signed decision document
MD1640 Environment programme 2016-17 (signed) PDF