Setting a new bar for City Hall transparency, Green Group Leader Caroline Russell AM has published a public diary record showing her meetings with campaigners, lobbyists and other organisations from September to November 2023.
Today’s publication from Caroline Russell AM follows her effort earlier this February to win support from every Assembly Member to commit to make similar records from their diaries available to the public. [1]
While that motion only received support from two of her colleagues, Siân Berry AM and Zack Polanski AM, a similar practice has already been adopted by London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan. [2]
Highlights from Caroline’s diary record include the London Youth Awards, a Vision Zero Summit with RoadPeace, a conversation with Release regarding drug harm in London, and a meeting with Lee Freeman from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell said:
“The public has a right to know who we are meeting.
“I am publishing these records because I am committed to the highest levels of transparency. Following the Mayor’s own practice is the least that Assembly Members, particularly those like Assembly Member Hall who is putting herself forward for the role, can do.
“Certain Members have suggested this kind of transparency would be too difficult to achieve, but today’s publication proves exactly how simple it can be. I hope every Member will now join me and my colleagues in publishing records of the lobbyists they meet for all Londoners to see.”
See a copy of Caroline Russell AM’s public diary record for September, October and November 2023.
Notes to editors
See a copy of Siân Berry AM’s public diary record between September and November 2023.
See a copy of Zack Polanski AM’s public diary record between September and November 2023.
Further diary records were published on Monday 18 March 2024:
Caroline Russell AM’s public diary record between December 2023 and March 2024.
Siân Berry AM’s public diary record between December 2023 and March 2024.
Zack Polanski AM’s public diary record between December 2023 and March 2024.
The criteria for including a meeting in the public diary record is as follows:
-
The meeting was scheduled and conducted in a formal matter;
-
The meeting did not include members of the media;
-
The meeting did not include internal site visits;
-
The meeting did not include another Assembly Member or Assembly Committee business.
-
The Assembly Member attended the meeting in their official capacity
[1] London Assembly rejects Caroline Russell’s push for better transparency
[2] Tories, LibDems and Labour vote against City Hall transparency