Clause 25
Greater London Authority Bill
3:00 pm
Jim Fitzpatrick (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Poplar and Canning Town, Labour)
The clause, which amends paragraph 1 of schedule 28 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999, changes the composition of LFEPA and gives it wider powers in the appointment of the authority members. It enables the Mayor to appoint the 17-member board as follows: eight assembly members, currently nine, seven London borough nominees, currently eight, and two further new members appointed by the Mayor on his own nomination who are intended to represent stakeholders who are other than elected politicians. The hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington mentioned the prospect of someone from the black minority ethnic community being nominated, which is an option that would be open to the Mayor.
The clause also makes consequential amendments to ensure that the Mayor’s appointment of eight assembly members continues to reflect the political balance of the prevailing parties in the assembly. It makes consequential amendments requiring the Mayor to fill any occurring vacancy of mayoral representatives on the authority as soon as reasonably possible.
Clause 26 removes the constraints imposed on a chair or vice-chair of LFEPA who is also an assembly member in respect of receiving allowances for carrying out those roles. This change reflects the initial responsibilities of being chair or vice-chair of the authority. The Government believe that assembly members should not be prohibited from receiving an allowance in respect of those offices.
Clause 27 inserts new sections 328A and 328B to the 1999 Act. The clause provides power for the Mayor, under new section 328A, to issue directions and guidance to the authority. In issuing any directions and guidance, the Mayor must have regard to the fire and rescue national framework and other fire safety enforcement guidance. That will give the Mayor more influence over delivery while ensuring that the arrangements for LFEPA remain broadly compatible with those for fire and rescue authorities elsewhere.