and the Co-Ordinating and Policing Committee of the MPA agreed that the entire process surrounding the estate strategy should immediately be put on hold, and reviewed as a matter of urgency as part of the budget process over the summer. Dee said, "It is essential that this time all communities are fully engaged in this process, both in understanding what is planned, and knowing how to make their voices heard." What's the future for the Freedom Pass? Caroline Pidgeon earlier this week accused Conservative controlled Bromley Council of possibly putting the future of the Freedom Pass at risk. The Freedom Pass, paid for by London Council taxpayers, allows all persons over 60 and the registered disabled to travel free of charge on London's transport network. Councils are currently charged on the number of Pass holders resident in each London borough. Recent discussions at a London wide level between councils across London has resulted in the majority of the Councils agreeing to fund the Freedom Pass based on the number of times a Pass is used by people in their areas. However all London councils have to agree to this change, and failure to agree means that outside arbitration is sought. Because Bromley council have objected to the change the cost of the scheme is increasing. Caroline who is also Vice Chair of the London Assembly's Transport Committee said: "The arbitration scheme is likely to take months, and cost Bromley council taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds. What is even more worrying is that it could in time cause a breakdown of the whole Freedom Pass scheme. I am sure that local residents don't want Bromley Conservatives to put this well - loved scheme at risk." Seeing in to the future? Although written before the news that Boris Johnson has had to order an investigation in to the allegations made against his Deputy Mayor for Young People, Ray Lewis, in an article for the Liberal Democrat Voice website (http://www.libdemvoice.org/boris-johnson-two-months-on-2953.html) reflecting on Boris Johnson’s first two months in office, Lib Dem Assembly leader Mike Tuffrey told readers:- “Behind the scenes, however, the picture is less rosy. Johnson has botched the process of appointing his advisers. Despite promising an end to cronyism and sofa government, there’s no sense of a coherent new team with a new agenda. Indeed, no mention at all of the promised cabinet.” Ray Lewis has not been suspended from his role while the investigation takes place and he, along with Tim Parker the new GLA group Chief Executive and first Deputy Mayor, and Kit Malthouse the Tory Assembly Member who is the Deputy Mayor Policing will be appearing in front of the London Assembly on Wednesday July 9th to answer questions about their roles and future plans. More details at http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/index.jsp Don’t forget you can keep up to date with all the news from the Liberal Democrat London Assembly group at www.glalibdems.org.uk, or by writing to us at
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