The debate on theatres was tame compared to what followed. We all agreed that something needed to be done to bring our venues up to date. I stumbled when the interviewer suggested that some of the theatres should be allowed to close if they can't pay their way - my free market instincts agree, but I love our city and can't bear to see us lose good things. I also argued in favour of subsidising the Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch earlier this year, so I wanted to be consistent. Perhaps I'm mellowing with age...
Then there was a discussion about the Mayor's £750k trip to India, which featured some trenchant condemnation from Brian Coleman. Livingstone claims that they will get the money back if it creates just 6 jobs, which sounds like more dodgy maths. At over £100k per job the lucky recipients will be able to afford plenty of his 53p travelcards.
They wound up with a discussion about the Metropolitan Police Authority, featuring deputy chair Cindy Butts. Cindy passionately argued that the MPA's support for embattled police commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, demonstrates their political independence. As all but one of the non elected members voted in favour of the commissioner, I suggest it proves the opposite.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Politics Show Alert
You can see me on the Politics Show (London edition) tomorrow, talking about theatres of all things. The Assembly is doing a review of the condition of London theatres - which in many cases are outdated and tired - and possible ways to invest in our capital's attractions. A £1 levy on all theatre tickets is just one of the ideas under consideration...
East Thurrock & South Basildon Dinner
On Friday night I attended the fund raising dinner for mt good friend Steve Metcalfe, the candidate for East Thurrock & South Basildon, a seat which we should pick up at the next election.
Guest speaker was Iain Duncan Smith, who talked about his social policy work. I have known Iain since he was selected for Chingford in 1991 and I think he is more at ease than I have ever seen him. He clearly cares passionately about helping the communities he has met in the most deprived areas and he articulates his vision convincingly.
In the auction I bought two bottles of 'Gordon Brown Ale - Zero Strength' for £200, which in hindsight seems a lot - still, the money is going to a good cause, which is more than can be said for my end of year tax demand...
Talking of which, on the way there the taxi driver was telling me how worried he was about the security of his personal details, now that the government have mislaid them. When people without an interest in politics express such concerns, you know it is bad news for those in power. Several years ago I went to a pantomime which was full of jokes about David Blunkett - it was obvious the minister was doomed, and this feels the same.
Guest speaker was Iain Duncan Smith, who talked about his social policy work. I have known Iain since he was selected for Chingford in 1991 and I think he is more at ease than I have ever seen him. He clearly cares passionately about helping the communities he has met in the most deprived areas and he articulates his vision convincingly.
In the auction I bought two bottles of 'Gordon Brown Ale - Zero Strength' for £200, which in hindsight seems a lot - still, the money is going to a good cause, which is more than can be said for my end of year tax demand...
Talking of which, on the way there the taxi driver was telling me how worried he was about the security of his personal details, now that the government have mislaid them. When people without an interest in politics express such concerns, you know it is bad news for those in power. Several years ago I went to a pantomime which was full of jokes about David Blunkett - it was obvious the minister was doomed, and this feels the same.
December Londoner
The Christmas / Winterval edition of the Londoner wings its way to the capital's doormats. Highlights to look out for include:
Single Fare Price Freeze - Front page
Great 2 for 1 theatre and food offers with Oyster - pg2
Free travel for Londoners on New Year's Eve - pg3
Crime in London down to lowest in ten years -pg5
London's fares freeze - pg5
Bus passes made easy - pg5
New police teams 'are making London's buses and trains safer' - pg6&7
Make sure you get home safely during Christmas party season, Met says - pg9
Car free shopping is back - pg19
The usual TfL advertising takes up full pages at 4, 16 and 20. The Mayor's London Schools and the Black Child conference is advertised on pg6. The recycling campaign is advertised on pg12.
For the first time there is a special London assembly feature at the bottom of pg8.
And on pg9 there is the opportunity to win a two week cruise around the Indian Ocean. You just need to answer the question - In which Indian region is the city of Cochin? So you can follow in the Mayor's recent footsteps, but you won't be allowed to take 80 people with you...
Single Fare Price Freeze - Front page
Great 2 for 1 theatre and food offers with Oyster - pg2
Free travel for Londoners on New Year's Eve - pg3
Crime in London down to lowest in ten years -pg5
London's fares freeze - pg5
Bus passes made easy - pg5
New police teams 'are making London's buses and trains safer' - pg6&7
Make sure you get home safely during Christmas party season, Met says - pg9
Car free shopping is back - pg19
The usual TfL advertising takes up full pages at 4, 16 and 20. The Mayor's London Schools and the Black Child conference is advertised on pg6. The recycling campaign is advertised on pg12.
For the first time there is a special London assembly feature at the bottom of pg8.
And on pg9 there is the opportunity to win a two week cruise around the Indian Ocean. You just need to answer the question - In which Indian region is the city of Cochin? So you can follow in the Mayor's recent footsteps, but you won't be allowed to take 80 people with you...
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Disorder on the Buses
Tomorrow the Transport Committee will be taking evidence from the police, London Buses and a bus operator.
This follows on from our meeting last month where passenger groups raised a number of concerns, and from our visit to observe enforcement at first hand in Stratford last week. I contributed an article about this to Conservative Home on Friday and you can read it at: www.Conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2007/11/roger-evans-am.html .
This follows on from our meeting last month where passenger groups raised a number of concerns, and from our visit to observe enforcement at first hand in Stratford last week. I contributed an article about this to Conservative Home on Friday and you can read it at: www.Conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2007/11/roger-evans-am.html .
Friday, November 16, 2007
Livingstonomics
So how can the lowest price be 80p but the average be 53p?
Was it because fare evaders were included - as suggested by Weggis and Andrew Gilligan? No...
Was it because free travel was included as suspected by me in the last post? No...
The Mayor has explained, very swiftly, by press release! The full text is here:
www.London.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=14532
Amidst the hyperbole, the key paragraph tells us:
The reason the average is lower than the cheapest single fare is that many people travel using period tickets such as Travelcards or weekly bus passes. In these cases the cost per journey is less as the passenger makes more trips. For example the average number of trips per week on a weekly bus pass is 28.25. For a cost of £13 this is 46p.
Well, yes. What if the average number of trips rises? The average cost per trip then falls, but can the Mayor use the new lower figure to claim that he has cut fares? Because that is how the average figure has been used.
Can a passenger who only uses the card 10 times a week get a rebate????
To illustrate the way this works:
Example 1: Mayor Truthful promises to freeze fares for a year and does so. However an economic downturn reduces the number of journeys made on public transport. The average fare per journey goes up and Mayor Truthful decides not to press release it - because it will mislead people.
Example 2: Mayor Untruthful promises to pin fares to inflation but after the election he breaks his promise and imposes inflation busting increases over three years, only desisting as the next election looms. Over the same period the number of journeys increases as London is doing well. The average fare per journey therefore falls and Mayor Untruthful decides to press release it - because it will mislead people.
Neither of these examples is intended to resemble any living person - however for an official view of the truthfulness of TfL advertising, see the following from the Advertising Standards Agency:
www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/public/TF_ADJ_43472.htm
Was it because fare evaders were included - as suggested by Weggis and Andrew Gilligan? No...
Was it because free travel was included as suspected by me in the last post? No...
The Mayor has explained, very swiftly, by press release! The full text is here:
www.London.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=14532
Amidst the hyperbole, the key paragraph tells us:
The reason the average is lower than the cheapest single fare is that many people travel using period tickets such as Travelcards or weekly bus passes. In these cases the cost per journey is less as the passenger makes more trips. For example the average number of trips per week on a weekly bus pass is 28.25. For a cost of £13 this is 46p.
Well, yes. What if the average number of trips rises? The average cost per trip then falls, but can the Mayor use the new lower figure to claim that he has cut fares? Because that is how the average figure has been used.
Can a passenger who only uses the card 10 times a week get a rebate????
To illustrate the way this works:
Example 1: Mayor Truthful promises to freeze fares for a year and does so. However an economic downturn reduces the number of journeys made on public transport. The average fare per journey goes up and Mayor Truthful decides not to press release it - because it will mislead people.
Example 2: Mayor Untruthful promises to pin fares to inflation but after the election he breaks his promise and imposes inflation busting increases over three years, only desisting as the next election looms. Over the same period the number of journeys increases as London is doing well. The average fare per journey therefore falls and Mayor Untruthful decides to press release it - because it will mislead people.
Neither of these examples is intended to resemble any living person - however for an official view of the truthfulness of TfL advertising, see the following from the Advertising Standards Agency:
www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/public/TF_ADJ_43472.htm
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Bus Fare Calculations
An interesting exchange at yesterday's Mayor's Questions.
Me: Following the latest increases, what is the cheapest ticket you can buy?
The Mayor: 80p
Me: And what is the average bus fare?
The Mayor: 53p
Me: So the average fare is 27p less than the cheapest fare - that's a novel concept...
I suspect that TfL includes some of its free tickets in the calculation, which undermines the veracity of the figure, because it creates an 'average fare' which can't be paid by anyone. It certainly makes the result of fare increases look rosier than it actually is.
TfL will be coming to see me to explain how they arrive at this figure and what they use it for.
Me: Following the latest increases, what is the cheapest ticket you can buy?
The Mayor: 80p
Me: And what is the average bus fare?
The Mayor: 53p
Me: So the average fare is 27p less than the cheapest fare - that's a novel concept...
I suspect that TfL includes some of its free tickets in the calculation, which undermines the veracity of the figure, because it creates an 'average fare' which can't be paid by anyone. It certainly makes the result of fare increases look rosier than it actually is.
TfL will be coming to see me to explain how they arrive at this figure and what they use it for.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I've Been Awarded a Certificate
For completing the Capital Ring!
I didn't know that such a thing was available, but Gordon Clarke from TfL has been in touch after reading about my efforts on Barkingside21's blog. He also tells me that Walk London are organising a weekend of guided walks around the strategic network for 17 - 18 November. I prefer to walk on my own but for anyone who wishes to join a group, details are available at www.walklondon.org.uk .
This will be the first non academic certificate I have received since I passed my cycling proficiency test...
I didn't know that such a thing was available, but Gordon Clarke from TfL has been in touch after reading about my efforts on Barkingside21's blog. He also tells me that Walk London are organising a weekend of guided walks around the strategic network for 17 - 18 November. I prefer to walk on my own but for anyone who wishes to join a group, details are available at www.walklondon.org.uk .
This will be the first non academic certificate I have received since I passed my cycling proficiency test...
Monday, November 12, 2007
Public Sector Rich List
The Taxpayers' Alliance have published their own 'rich list' of public sector employees. With the help of Freedom of Information requests and annual reports they have pieced together the top earners in public bodies for 2006/07. London is an expensive city so no surprise that our public bodies feature in the top 100:
The Olympic Development Authority has three employees in the top 100 - Chief Executive, David Higgins, Director of Finance, Dennis Hone, and of course, Jack Lemley, the former Chairman who stood down halfway through the year.
Sister body, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, features twice with Chairman, Lord Coe and Chief Executive, Paul Deighton.
Transport for London has its own high earners, Commissioner, Peter Hendy, MD of London Underground, Tim O'Toole, MD of Surface Transport, David Brown, and General Counsel, Howard Carter.
And controversial Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair is also in the top 100.
The National Health Service has many high earners but the only local manager in the top 100 is Norman Lindsay, Director of Turnaround at Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust. Mr Lindsay ceased his employment at the end of the financial year. I have not met him, but I know Whipps Cross and I imagine it was a tough job.
The full list, including rankings and actual pay is available at www.taxpayersalliance.com .
The Olympic Development Authority has three employees in the top 100 - Chief Executive, David Higgins, Director of Finance, Dennis Hone, and of course, Jack Lemley, the former Chairman who stood down halfway through the year.
Sister body, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, features twice with Chairman, Lord Coe and Chief Executive, Paul Deighton.
Transport for London has its own high earners, Commissioner, Peter Hendy, MD of London Underground, Tim O'Toole, MD of Surface Transport, David Brown, and General Counsel, Howard Carter.
And controversial Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair is also in the top 100.
The National Health Service has many high earners but the only local manager in the top 100 is Norman Lindsay, Director of Turnaround at Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust. Mr Lindsay ceased his employment at the end of the financial year. I have not met him, but I know Whipps Cross and I imagine it was a tough job.
The full list, including rankings and actual pay is available at www.taxpayersalliance.com .
Friday, November 09, 2007
Bendy Bus Investigation
Following the disclosure of worrying accident statistics at the recent public question time in Ilford, the transport committee will be reviewing the record of these controversial vehicles. Complaints about the buses include:
Safety - are they prone to more accidents?
Fare evasion - up to four times the level found on other buses.
Shortage of seats - good news for buggies and wheelchairs but bad news for older passengers and pregnant women.
Unsuitability for narrow, crowded streets - particularly in the centre of town.
Ilford North MP Lee Scott has welcomed the review, saying 'These numbers are at an unacceptable level and are not to be tolerated. I want to see a far bigger analysis as some roads simply cannot cope with them.'
I hope that passengers and bus drivers will let us have their views on the buses. Contact me at roger.evans@london.gov.uk .
The full story is carried by the Ilford Recorder, www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk .
Safety - are they prone to more accidents?
Fare evasion - up to four times the level found on other buses.
Shortage of seats - good news for buggies and wheelchairs but bad news for older passengers and pregnant women.
Unsuitability for narrow, crowded streets - particularly in the centre of town.
Ilford North MP Lee Scott has welcomed the review, saying 'These numbers are at an unacceptable level and are not to be tolerated. I want to see a far bigger analysis as some roads simply cannot cope with them.'
I hope that passengers and bus drivers will let us have their views on the buses. Contact me at roger.evans@london.gov.uk .
The full story is carried by the Ilford Recorder, www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk .
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Commissioner Faces Assembly
Tomorrow morning the Assembly will be questioning Sir Ian Blair, the Met Police Commissioner. It looks like being a lively session which will probably make the headlines in the evening.
we are also questioning the new Fire Brigade Commissioner, Ron Dobson, for the first time. I expect he will get a comparatively easy ride...
we are also questioning the new Fire Brigade Commissioner, Ron Dobson, for the first time. I expect he will get a comparatively easy ride...
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Radio Alert - Link FM
Tomorrow morning I'm the guest on our very own community radio station, Link FM. Appearing from 10:00 am, I will be talking about the London Assembly, transport in London, my role at Havering Council and, of course my newly published novel, Gremalquest.
Last time I was on Link we got into a discussion about my own broadcasting efforts on Radio Skerne, twenty years ago. This was the Darlington hospital radio which transmitted late in the evenings from a room in the basement next to the morgue. Keeping up a cheerful patter for a couple of hours all on your own, with a room full of corpses to walk through, was quite a challenge.
You can enjoy Link FM on line at www.linkfm.net .
Last time I was on Link we got into a discussion about my own broadcasting efforts on Radio Skerne, twenty years ago. This was the Darlington hospital radio which transmitted late in the evenings from a room in the basement next to the morgue. Keeping up a cheerful patter for a couple of hours all on your own, with a room full of corpses to walk through, was quite a challenge.
You can enjoy Link FM on line at www.linkfm.net .
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Any Suggestions?
There is a competition running at City Hall this week - the task is to choose a title for the Mayor's next Olympics publication.
The document is due to be published in early November and will set out the five commitments the Mayor is making in relation to the 2012 games.
Any suggestions?
The document is due to be published in early November and will set out the five commitments the Mayor is making in relation to the 2012 games.
Any suggestions?
Thursday, November 01, 2007
'Award Winning' Londoner to go Cross Party
Well, one page anyway. Today the GLA Business Management & Appointments Committee (BMAC) approved proposals to give over one page of the Londoner each month to Assembly stories. The report states:
The London Assembly will contribute a regular column for page 8 of The Londoner. The column would be a maximum of 420 words, or 350 plus a picture, either vertically aligned on the left side of the page or horizontally across the bottom of the page. There would be no charge to the Assembly for the column.
So we know which page everyone will turn to in future...
The London Assembly will contribute a regular column for page 8 of The Londoner. The column would be a maximum of 420 words, or 350 plus a picture, either vertically aligned on the left side of the page or horizontally across the bottom of the page. There would be no charge to the Assembly for the column.
So we know which page everyone will turn to in future...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Cycle Lane Consultation A127 to M25
TfL and Havering Council have revealed plans for a dedicated cycle route which will follow the Southend Arterial Road (A127) from Gallows Corner to junction 29 on the M25. this will form part of the London Cycle Network.
They are consulting on this proposal until 16th November, responses please to www.tfl.gov.uk/cycles or leave a comment on this thread.
They are consulting on this proposal until 16th November, responses please to www.tfl.gov.uk/cycles or leave a comment on this thread.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Security on Transport
Tomorrow our Transport Committee launches its review of security on London's public transport. In particular we will be considering the buses - following the Mayor's introduction of free travel for under 18s - and also the major interchanges, for example the bus and train stations at Stratford.
Are police on buses effective?
How about the CCTV?
Would you like to see conductors brought back?
Do you feel safe on our trains and buses?
We are interested in your views and experiences, so please email me at Roger.Evans@London.gov.uk or write to me at City Hall, The Queens Walk, LONDON, SE1 2AA.
Are police on buses effective?
How about the CCTV?
Would you like to see conductors brought back?
Do you feel safe on our trains and buses?
We are interested in your views and experiences, so please email me at Roger.Evans@London.gov.uk or write to me at City Hall, The Queens Walk, LONDON, SE1 2AA.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Peoples' Question Time
The big moment arrived last night. Nearly six hundred people crammed into Ilford Town Hall to raise local issues with the Mayor and assembly Members. It was a lively and good natured meeting with several public votes taking place. These snapshots showed:
66% of the audience felt no safer on the streets despite a visible increase in police numbers.
75% were opposed to congestion charging in Ilford.
75% felt that Redbridge didn't need any more housing.
66% were still pleased we were hosting the 2012 Olympics. Although there was a lot of dissatisfaction about the spiralling budget.
Those are rough figures and the audience was self selecting, so perhaps not representative of the wider electorate.
Serious reservations were raised about bendy buses following the tragic accident that occurred recently in Ilford.
Users of the Eastway Cycle Circuit turned up to demand a venue closer than the one they have to use at Hillingdon whilst the Olympic Velodrome is being constructed.
There were a large number of younger people in the crowd, which is encouraging. One girl was upset that she got fined when she left her Oystercard at home, but there wasn't much sympathy, perhaps because the same rule applies to everyone - it's called responsibility so get used to it...
And my newly selected Labour opponent was there. I made a point of congratulating her on being chosen. Her reply - Who are you? - was either the best put down in history or reveals a steep learning curve.
The next PQT is in six months time at Richmond Theatre.
66% of the audience felt no safer on the streets despite a visible increase in police numbers.
75% were opposed to congestion charging in Ilford.
75% felt that Redbridge didn't need any more housing.
66% were still pleased we were hosting the 2012 Olympics. Although there was a lot of dissatisfaction about the spiralling budget.
Those are rough figures and the audience was self selecting, so perhaps not representative of the wider electorate.
Serious reservations were raised about bendy buses following the tragic accident that occurred recently in Ilford.
Users of the Eastway Cycle Circuit turned up to demand a venue closer than the one they have to use at Hillingdon whilst the Olympic Velodrome is being constructed.
There were a large number of younger people in the crowd, which is encouraging. One girl was upset that she got fined when she left her Oystercard at home, but there wasn't much sympathy, perhaps because the same rule applies to everyone - it's called responsibility so get used to it...
And my newly selected Labour opponent was there. I made a point of congratulating her on being chosen. Her reply - Who are you? - was either the best put down in history or reveals a steep learning curve.
The next PQT is in six months time at Richmond Theatre.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Petition Presented
Following on from the Mayor's refusal to reinstate the footbridge over the A12 at Mawney Road, I presented a petition from local residents at the Assembly plenary meeting today. Four of the lead petitioners turned up to make their point:
They don't want a crossing at road level which will force pedestrians to race the lights - the other main junctions on the A12 all have either bridges or subways.
The original bridge (removed by TfL) had wheelchair ramps - a fact seemingly lost on TfL who claim that there is no space for a bridge with ramps to be built...
Have ramps got longer in the last two years?
They don't want a crossing at road level which will force pedestrians to race the lights - the other main junctions on the A12 all have either bridges or subways.
The original bridge (removed by TfL) had wheelchair ramps - a fact seemingly lost on TfL who claim that there is no space for a bridge with ramps to be built...
Have ramps got longer in the last two years?
Monday, October 22, 2007
Final Call for PQT
A last reminder that Peoples' Question Time is taking place at Ilford Town Hall on Thursday night. Come along and question Mayor Livingstone and other Assembly Members about their plans for our area. Tickets are going fast but there is still time to grab a place - just click on the top link on the right...
See you there...
See you there...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Transport Select Committee Investigates PPP
In what I think is a first for the London Assembly, I will be giving evidence before the Transport Select Committee tomorrow.
The committee are investigating the circumstances around the collapse of Metronet and they will also be taking evidence from the PPP arbiter, the tube unions and the other PPP company, Tubelines.
The whole episode will be available to enjoy on the Parliamentary Channel.
The committee are investigating the circumstances around the collapse of Metronet and they will also be taking evidence from the PPP arbiter, the tube unions and the other PPP company, Tubelines.
The whole episode will be available to enjoy on the Parliamentary Channel.
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