London boroughs push for formal governance model to speed up funding and services

London’s boroughs and the Mayor are advocating for a formalised ‘Combined Board’ to streamline decision-making, accelerate funding, and enhance services amid ongoing governance debates and national reforms.

London’s boroughs have renewed calls for a more formalised and collaborative governance model with the Mayor of London to accelerate funding delivery and improve services for residents. Councillor Claire Holland, chair of the cross-party London Councils group, has advocated for a “Combined Board” model, which would embed closer cooperation between the Greater London Authority (GLA) and boroughs, aiming to overcome the delays associated with the current voluntary arrangements.

Currently, boroughs and the GLA collaborate on initiatives like the Warmer Homes Programme, which targets energy-saving efforts for vulnerable groups. However, as Councillor Holland highlighted at the annual Labour Party conference, the absence of a statutory framework means that collaboration is not guaranteed and decision-making can be slowed. She argued that “hardwiring” such partnerships through a formal Combined Board, similar to structures in Manchester or the West Midlands, would streamline funding flows and enhance efficiency, although she acknowledged the need to prioritise the new integrated settlement due to be handed to London next year.

In April 2025, the leaders of all 32 London boroughs reinforced this position with a united statement proposing a Combined Board comprising the Mayor and members of London Councils’ Executive Committee. Their aim is to give London a governance model more in line with other combined authorities across England, where devolved powers and budgets are collaboratively overseen to better meet local needs.

Despite these calls, the government’s recent English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced in July 2025, does not address London’s situation, reflecting the complexity of the capital’s governance. A September 2025 report by the GLA Oversight Committee, titled “Trusting London to deliver: our place in the Government’s devolution reforms,” explicitly rejected the Combined Board proposal, citing London’s distinctiveness as a significantly larger and more complex city with 33 local authorities. The committee argued that managing a strategic authority with 34 decision-making bodies, including the GLA, would be unmanageable. They also raised concerns that a Combined Board could exclude some London areas from decision-making, weaken transparency and accountability, and fragment the city’s established mayoral governance model.

London’s unique model currently includes the London Assembly’s role in representing the entire city and scrutinising the GLA’s decisions. The committee emphasised that this structure distinguishes London’s devolution from other English cities and cautioned against reforms that might dilute the Mayor’s authority or confuse governance.

The Mayor of London’s office responded by reaffirming the Mayor’s broad mandate and ongoing collaboration with local authorities. A spokesperson emphasised the Mayor’s programme, which includes major initiatives such as ensuring free school meals for all state primary children, delivering the highest number of new council homes since the 1970s, improving public transport affordability, and leading efforts on climate change and crime reduction. They stressed that the Mayor remains committed to working with London Councils on the integrated settlement to enhance service delivery.

This ongoing debate unfolds against wider governance challenges in London. For instance, previous collaborative attempts like the Tri-borough shared services initiative—linking Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Kensington and Chelsea councils from 2011 until 2018—showcase both potential and pitfalls of shared-local governance models. More recently, London Councils and the GLA have jointly tackled specific issues such as the fragmented funding landscape for retrofitting social housing, recommending the creation of a London Office for Retrofit to better coordinate efforts and funding.

Furthermore, the GLA Oversight Committee has also emphasised the importance of consistent and accountable public consultation practices across the GLA group, recognising that transparent citizen engagement is critical to successful governance and policy implementation in such a diverse and populous city.

With the GLA Act now 25 years old, the conversation about London’s devolution and governance structures remains alive, though pressure for immediate reform appears tempered by the government’s broader devolution agenda across England. As Councillor Holland noted, the focus for now is on establishing a robust and integrated funding settlement for London, leaving deeper structural discussions to possibly unfold at a later date.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 2 October 2025. Similar calls for formalised governance have been made earlier in 2025, notably in April and June, indicating ongoing discussions. ([londoncouncils.gov.uk](https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/news-and-press-releases/2025/london-borough-leaders-make-united-call-seat-table-new-devolution?utm_source=openai)) The report references a press release from London Councils dated 3 April 2025, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests a mix of fresh and recycled content. The report also references a press release from London Councils dated 3 April 2025, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([londoncouncils.gov.uk](https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/news-and-press-releases/2025/london-borough-leaders-make-united-call-seat-table-new-devolution?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
7

Notes:
The report includes a direct quote from Councillor Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils, advocating for a ‘Combined Board’ model. This quote appears in the press release from 3 April 2025, suggesting it may be reused content. ([londoncouncils.gov.uk](https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/news-and-press-releases/2025/london-borough-leaders-make-united-call-seat-table-new-devolution?utm_source=openai)) No earlier instances of this exact quote were found, indicating potential originality.

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The narrative originates from Asian Standard, a news outlet with limited online presence and credibility. The report references a press release from London Councils, a reputable organisation, which adds credibility. However, the reliance on a single, less-established outlet raises concerns about the overall reliability of the narrative.

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative discusses ongoing debates about London’s governance and devolution, aligning with recent developments and public statements from London Councils. The inclusion of specific dates and references to official documents adds credibility. However, the lack of coverage from other reputable outlets and the reliance on a single, less-established source raise questions about the narrative’s overall plausibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding London’s governance and devolution, referencing official documents and statements. However, the reliance on a single, less-established source and the inclusion of both fresh and recycled content raise concerns about its overall credibility. Further verification from more reputable outlets is recommended to confirm the accuracy and originality of the information.