Six local authorities have joined forces to form a new partnership designed to give northeast London more clout in negotiations over funding and powers.
The North East London Strategic Alliance (NELSA) brings together Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest councils.
Its priorities will be delivering better public services, new homes, jobs, improved skills and transportation in the face of cutbacks and a growing population.
NELSA will also support the Local London eight-borough sub-regional partnership, which includes its members plus Greenwich and Tower Hamlets LBCs.
Chair of NELSA and leader of Waltham Forest, Chris Robbins, said: ‘NELSA brings together six boroughs that are perfectly-placed to put forward a clear vision for north-east London and set future improvements in motion.
‘This area of London deserves better representation at a national and regional level of decision-making and we intend to make sure this happens.
‘In partnership with the Local London eight borough sub-regional partnership, we want to secure greater devolution of powers from central Government so that we can better enable growth and development in our areas – such as building more homes, helping more people into work and being able to do more to support schools, businesses and local investment.
‘A bold new approach like this would represent a landmark shift in the local government landscape - enabling our six boroughs to deliver real change to hundreds of thousands of Londoners.’
Sir Robin Wales, mayor of Newham, said: ‘This new organisation will give further strength and a clear united voice to this burgeoning sub region.’
Cllr Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge, said: ‘We need a clear vision for north east London, and building strong partnerships is vital for us to be able to deliver that.
‘We need to do all we can to make sure our voices are heard and by joining together we can do this more effectively.’
