§ Lord Bassam of Brightonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they are making to ensure that the Greater London Authority can discharge its responsibilities. [HL1872]
§ Lord WhittySubject to the passage of the GLA Bill, currently in another place, the GLA will assume its responsibilities on 3 July 2000. We have commissioned consultants, KPMG, to advise on transition arrangements for the GLA. KPMG have now completed their report and copies are being placed in the Library. Among their conclusions, KPMG recommend that a dedicated transition team be established under the leadership of a Head of Transition and that the latter should be recruited as a matter of urgency.
The Audit Commission has kindly agreed to second to my department Dr. Robert Chilton, Director Local Government Studies at the commission to be the Head of Transition. Dr. Chilton, who will report to Ministers through the Director of the Government Office for London, will work closely with my officials to plan a smooth transition for the GLA and to ensure that the necessary financial controls and administrative machinery are in place. He will also be available, should the authority so decide, to act as statutory Chief Administrative Officer until the authority is in a position to make a permanent appointment. We are most grateful to the Audit Commission for making this assistance available. It will be for the GLA, once elected, to make its own arrangements for permanent appointments to senior positions.