Funding is not a question of London versus the rest of the country, the chair of London Councils Claire Kober has claimed.
‘We are likely to face a funding gap of £2bn by 2020,’ she told delegates.
Rather than arguing about funds going to the capital or to the rest of the country she urged the sector to work together and recognise economic growth in London supported the whole UK.
Cllr Kober, who described herself as the first woman chair of London Councils on a platform with the first Muslim Mayor of London, said the boroughs have a ‘vital role to play to ensure all growth is inclusive’, particularly in light of the Brexit vote.
Haringey LBC leader, Cllr Kober, asked: ‘Who can listen to discussions of people who have been left behind…. without recognising the absolutely crucial role of the London boroughs?’ She said the same went for public sector reform and for housing.
‘None of these are new challenges but they have been brought into sharp relief by Brexit.’
Cllr Kober also paid tribute to the London boroughs over handling refugees. ‘We should be really proud of thee way we have responded to the refugee crisis… but we do need the support of our communities.’
She urged Londoners to come forward with offers of homes to rend at local housing allowance rates for Syrian refugees.
