Upcoming Public Meetings in London to Address Key Issues
Several significant public meetings are set to take place in London between 8 and 11 December, focusing on urban development, transportation, and public safety. These gatherings aim to solicit expert opinions and scrutinise critical initiatives affecting the capital’s future.
Designing a Better London
The Planning and Regeneration Committee will convene on 8 December at City Hall to discuss urban design and development strategies. This session will involve a panel of specialists who will assess whether current building projects align with the preferences and needs of London residents.
- Saffron Woodcraft, Faculty Lead for Public Policy at UCL Bartlett School
- Lucy Bush, Director of Research and Participation at Demos
- Robert Kerr, Design Director at ADAM Architecture
- Robert Kwolek, Senior Architectural Designer and Project Manager with Create Streets
A second panel will address housing concerns with contributions from notable experts, including:
- Dinah Roake, Chair of the London Housing Panel
- Sarah Considine, Head of the Design Unit at the Greater London Authority (GLA)
- Holly Lewis, Co-Founding Partner at We Made That and Mayor’s Design Advocate
- Karen Montgomerie, Team Leader for Strategic Planning at the GLA
- Marissa Ryan-Hernandez, London Plan Manager with Strategic Planning at the GLA
Transport Challenges in London
The Transport Committee will meet on 9 December, also at City Hall, to investigate the escalating bus journey times in London. Key stakeholders from Transport for London (TfL) will discuss potential measures to alleviate this issue.
The first panel will focus on bus journey times and will feature:
- Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of London TravelWatch
- Keven Stagg, Chair of the London & Eastern Passenger Committee at Unite
- Jim Kelly, Vice Chair of the London & Eastern Passenger Committee at Unite
- Paul Lynch, Managing Director of London for Stagecoach Bus
A second panel will present insights into London TravelWatch’s business plan, comprising:
- Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of London TravelWatch
- Tricia Hayes, Chair of London TravelWatch
Scrutinising Police Budget
On 10 December, the Budget and Performance Committee will explore the draft budget for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) for 2026-27. Discussions will highlight the Metropolitan Police Service’s funding strategies in light of budgetary constraints.
- Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
- Amana Humayun, Chief Finance Officer at MOPAC
- Dan Worsley, Chief Finance Officer at the Metropolitan Police Service
- Clare Davies, Chief People and Resources Officer at the MPS
Impact of Unpaid Care
The Economy, Culture, and Skills Committee will also meet on 10 December to discuss the challenges faced by unpaid carers in London. The committee aims to understand how these individuals manage caregiving responsibilities alongside their personal and professional lives.
Panel discussions will include prominent figures such as:
- Brian Jones, Chief Executive of Carers Network
- John Perryman, Head of Policy at Carers UK
- Rohati Chapman, Executive Director for Programmes, Policy, and Impact at Carers Trust
- Allegra Lynch, CEO of Camden Carers
Future Oversight
Lastly, on 11 December, the GLA Oversight Committee will review a proposal concerning Rapporteurship from an Assembly Member, along with the Secretariat’s Quarterly Monitoring report. This meeting is crucial for assessing ongoing governance and accountability within the GLA.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-press-releases/coming-next-week-london-assembly-wc-december-8th
