Kingston Council leader Andreas Kirsch joined leaders across London in calling for local authorities to have a stronger voice in major decisions about the capital’s future.
Currently, the Mayor of London and central government make many major decisions without formally involving the boroughs that must carry them out.
Councils say this often leads to delays, duplication or plans that do not reflect local needs.
In a joint statement, the leaders described the government’s upcoming English Devolution Bill as a “golden opportunity” to update how London is governed and ensure boroughs are properly represented in future decisions.
“London’s devolution settlement was designed in a different century, for a different era and urgently needs an update,” the statement said.
It added: “The status quo is not good enough – in fact, it is holding London back. Without a change to current arrangements, we could become the only upper-tier council leaders in the country without a formal say over the decisions of their region’s Strategic Authority.”
Giving councils like Kingston a formal role in those early conversations through a proposed ‘Combined Board’ would make decisions easier to deliver.
Cllr Kirsch was among the signatories supporting the new proposal, and leaders said this would improve how boroughs work together and with the Mayor, especially when tackling big issues like housing, transport and climate change that affect all of London.
The plan would bring the Mayor of London and 12 members of the London Council’s Executive Committee together to decide how major funding and priorities should be handled across the capital.
The council leaders said the change would allow boroughs to be more involved in decisions from the start rather than being expected to carry out plans once they were already in place.
They said this would improve unity across London, reduce delays and help ensure services are delivered more effectively locally.
Councillor Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils, said: “This is a pivotal opportunity for London. Giving boroughs a seat at the table will put us in a far stronger position to tackle the challenges we face and drive growth in London.”
The statement also highlighted the key role councils play in providing essential services, from building homes and improving infrastructure to supporting local businesses and delivering front line care, such as social services.
“Boroughs are responsible for so much on-the-ground delivery – for example, their role in house-building and infrastructure, economic development and the vital local services that London’s communities rely on,” the statement said.
It added: “Excluding boroughs from strategic decision-making hinders delivery and undermines London’s ability to tackle its challenges.”
The push for reform came as the government prepares to publish its English Devolution Bill, which is expected to confirm how an ‘Integrated Settlement’ — combining several government funding streams into a single budget — will apply to London from 2026/27.
Council leaders warned that unless boroughs are included in the new arrangements, London risks falling behind other parts of the country as new local government systems are introduced elsewhere.
The proposal would not affect the London Assembly’s role in holding the Mayor to account but would give councils a direct role in shaping future policies and spending decisions.
The statement concluded: “Together, we can make sure London has the powers, funding and structures it needs to tackle the challenges we face, deliver better outcomes for Londoners and serve the needs of our capital city for decades to come.”
