London Councils has outlined its vision for future housing provisions in the capital, responding to the housing strategy laid out by mayor Ken Livingstone.

The response emphasises the importance of the role played by London’s individual boroughs, with their hands-on experience of local issues and priorities.

Any long-term statutory housing strategy should build on the work done by the city’s communities, London Councils concludes, by focusing on regional issues and not micro-managing boroughs.

And investment in new London housing should rise from the current £1.7 billion over two years to £1.3 billion each year by 2009.

“While we agree with the development of a London-wide strategy, we must stress that boroughs should remain free to do what they do best, provide excellent housing services for their communities,” said councillor Jamie Carswell, executive member for housing at London Councils.

“The strategy should remain a strategy and not seek to interfere with the day to day work of the boroughs, which must remain able to respond flexibly and innovatively to the needs of their communities.”

London Councils was formerly known as the Association of London Government.

© Adfero Ltd