MQT Question List: November 2012

The following are a list of the questions our group will be asking to the Mayor Boris Johnson at tomorrow’s Mayors Question Time (MQT).
 
It can be watched live online at 10am tomorrow (21 Nov 12) here http://www.london.gov.uk/who-runs-london/the-london-assembly/webcasts
 
 

Predictive crime mapping

James Cleverly will be asking about predictive crime mapping as it could help London reduce crime by 30% using the same numbers of personnel.
 

Q: Over the past seven years, predictive crime mapping software is believed to have contributed to a 30% reduction in crime in Memphis, Tennessee. Will you consider piloting a similar scheme in London?

 
 

Transport Fares

Richard Tracey will make clear that bearing down on fares means cutting the cost of running London’s public transport. He will also highlight areas where other parties have called for more spending and lower fares in the same breath.
 

Q: In your view, is it possible to bear down on fares, whilst opposing virtually every cost saving measure introduced by TfL over the last 4 years?

 
 

A United Emergency Service

Gareth Bacon will be asking about James Cleverly’s report `A United Emergency Service` which proposed police, ambulance and fire sharing the same buildings and resources for financial reasons and for better response. He is looking to clarify which suggestions are being taken forward and also would like to take the report’s suggestions onto the next step and look into co-working and sharing tasks between emergency service staff.
 

Q:What will you be doing to take forward the ideas in `A United Emergency Service` regarding co-locating different emergency services?

 
 

Wandle Valley Park

After the publishing of ‘London’s Hidden Charge: Ending the Lee Valley Tax’ Steve O’Connell will be asking if the money saved from paying for North-East London's Lee Valley can be used to support the new Wandle Valley Park in his constituency of Croydon and Sutton.
 

Q: Do you support the emerging Wandle Valley Park?

 
 

Rail freight depot employment boost for Barking

Andrew Boff is asking about the potential of a new rail freight depot in Barking and the prospect for jobs and growth that this represents.
 

Q: Can the Mayor shed any light on the veracity of reports in trade press that a new high-speed rail freight depot is planned for Barking in 2017 to form part of a Europe-wide network. Is there anything he can do to ensure this much-needed investment, with corresponding employment opportunities, is secured for the borough?

 
 

Retention of DNA

Roger Evans is asking for the MPS to streamline the process of removing DNA from the national archives. This was brought to his attention by one of his constituents who asked the MPS in July 2009 for his DNA to be removed from their database. In May 2012 the laws changed which meant he had the right to remove his DNA because he was never charged. However this is a very slow bureaucratic process and the constituent is still battling to have his DNA removed.
 

Q: I understand since May 2012, citizens of the UK are entitled to seek early deletion of DNA records from police systems through the Protection of Freedom Act, although this is a lengthy and laborious process. How long do you think it should take for innocent UK citizens to remove their DNA records from the system?

 
 

Police Bail

Victoria Borwick is asking the Mayor to ensure that the most dangerous offenders are refused bail. Other members will be asking the Mayor to ensure that police officers have the ability to push for a refusal of bail.
 

Q: Over 6000 offenders were convicted of serious indictable offences while on bail in 2011 in London. What will you do to ensure police and courts refuse bail to criminals, identified as potentially dangerous, except in exceptional circumstances?

 
 

Urban Broadband Fund

Tony Arbour is asking the Mayor to explain how the money will be spent from the GLA’s portion of the Urban Broadband Fund. Supplementary questions may explore connectivity on public transport, which could feed into further work from our group.
 

Q: What are the priorities for spending the £25 million recently awarded to the GLA through the Urban Broadband Fund?