URBAN COUNCIL VISIT TO LONDON
21st 25th April, 1975
The following are my findings (subject to minor report- ing errors) and recommendations on the above visit, and these are presented in two parts, viz. 3
Part I Part II
App. "A"
It
"B
Greater London Council and Westminster City Council Anglo-Hong Kong Parliamentary Group and Foreign &
Commonwealth Office
The papers are supported by the following attachments :
A
Business programme
List of reports and publications received
"C" GLC Organisation Chart
GREATER LONDON COUNCIL
1.
2.
Introduction (Mr. D. Blackhurst, Asst. Director General)
The Greater London Council was created in 1964 and its authority extends over 32 Borough Councils with a population of 7.35 million in an administrative area of 810 square miles. It consists of 92 Councillors each elected from separate electoral areas and, currently, 15 Aldermen although this office will be abolished in 1977. The Chairman of the Council is elected annually with a Vice Chairman and Deputy Chairman nominated by the majority and minority parties respectively, The Leader of the Council is elected by the majority party.
Education is
GLC has responsibility for London planning, housing, public transport, refuse disposal, traffic controls, roadways, parks, arts, entertainment and fire services. provided through the Inner London Education Authority, a committee of the GLC. Vater, gas, electricity, health and welfare services are operated by other national agencies, and the Metropolitan Police by the Home Office.
The GLC functions through 14 committees (incl. ILEA), appointed annually. All committee meetings are open to the public in Part I Agenda; public and press being excluded from Part II Agenda.
A copy of Standing Orders was obtained at my request.
Questioned on attendance of voters at local elections, Mr. Blackhurst indicated a maximum of about 50% electorate participation, with probably not more than 20% in "safe seats",
Finance (Mr. W. Hill-Rootes)
The GLC annual budget is about £1,750m and total indebtedness £2000m, with annual interest of £70 £80m and capital repay- ment £130, A shortfall of £150m is anticipated for 1975/76.
Under the London Government Act, 1963 GLC capital expenditure is governed by annual Money Acts, Capital is secured from internal resources and the major part from issue of stock,