The GLA Oversight Committee met on Wednesday 8 July 2026 to discuss the Mayor's Action Plan for Disabled Londoners, the GLA's workforce report, and the budget. Key decisions included noting the progress of the Mayor's Action Plan for Disabled Londoners, approving the expansion of the Specialist Housing and Services Unit, and noting the London Assembly's quarterly budget report.

Mayor's Action Plan for Disabled Londoners

The committee received an update on the Mayor's Action Plan for Disabled Londoners from Tom Rahilly, Assistant Director of Communities and Social Policy at the GLA. The plan, developed through extensive engagement with Deaf and Disabled Londoners and over 60 organisations, aims to address challenges faced by this community, including poverty, housing, transport, and safety. The plan identifies themes around financial support, employment and skills, transport, housing, and safety. While the specific actions are not yet published, the plan is on track for a summer 2026 release.

Assembly Members raised concerns about the definition and implementation of co-production throughout the process, with some questioning whether it had been truly collaborative or merely consultative. Concerns were also raised about the inclusion of specific issues, such as floating bus stops, within the plan, and the clarity of measures and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the actions outlined. Mr Rahilly acknowledged that experiences of co-production can be variable and committed to ensuring the plan sets out clear deliverables and mechanisms for measuring progress. He also noted that the plan will focus on actions within the Mayor's remit and resources.

Discussions also touched upon the importance of ensuring that Transport for London (TfL) and other GLA bodies are fully engaged in implementing the plan's commitments. The Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Cohesion, Debbie Weeks-Bernard, was noted as leading this work, with efforts to engage across the GLA group.

GLA Workforce Report

The committee reviewed the GLA Workforce Report for the year ending March 2026. Dianne Tranmer, Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Business Improvement, highlighted that the report excludes changes related to the Savings and Efficiencies Programme and noted a shift in how staffing profiles are benchmarked against London's economically active population.

Justine Kenny, Chief People Officer, reported a 40.4% representation of staff from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, the highest recorded, though acknowledged that more work is needed to achieve representation at all levels. The pay gap data for March 2025 was presented, with an action plan for the upcoming 2026 data being developed.

Concerns were raised about recruitment timescales, with Assembly Members requesting more concrete data on the length of time it takes to fill vacancies and whether this is improving. While acknowledging anecdotal improvements, officers committed to providing specific data. The report also noted a rise in agency workers and fixed-term contracts, with justifications including covering vacancies, supplementing teams with heavy workloads, and bringing in specialist skills for major change programmes. Controls for these arrangements are being monitored by the People Board.

Phil Graham, Executive Director of Good Growth, discussed the impact of the Savings and Efficiencies Programme on his directorate, noting some staff reductions in environmental and cultural sectors, but a focus on maintaining capacity in planning and regeneration due to new Mayoral priorities. He also highlighted the need for specialist skills in the new Strategic Licensing team, with some roles being converted from fixed-term to permanent.

Chandru Dissanayeke, Executive Director of Strategy and Communications, explained that the growth in his directorate was primarily due to the integration of the London Resilience Teams. He committed to providing further details on the roles and activities of the remaining 80 staff members and to share metrics on public engagement with communications activities.

Tim Steer, Executive Director of Housing and Land, addressed the increase in headcount within his directorate, attributing it to new programme activities and funding for affordable homes, city developer programmes, and new homes accelerators. He acknowledged the challenges in housing delivery but stated that the team's flexibility and responsiveness are crucial in supporting partners.

London Assembly Quarterly Budget Report

The committee noted the 2025-26 Q4 budget report, which showed an underspend of £562,000. This underspend was attributed to vacancies, post-election impacts, and the planned conclusion of the Secretariat internship programme. No draw on the Assembly reserve was required, and £65,000 will be transferred into the reserve.

London TravelWatch Board Recruitment

The committee authorised the Chief Officer to engage an external recruitment agency for the London TravelWatch Board recruitment exercise, up to a maximum value of £50,000. This recruitment will include establishing a Deputy Chair role and filling two Board Member positions. The costs are expected to be below the authorised threshold and will be met from Assembly reserves.

People's Question Time Mid-term Review

A mid-term review of People's Question Time (PQT) was presented, highlighting improvements in safety, event control, and question throughput since the implementation of a revised format in March 2025. However, concerns remain about declining attendance and perceptions of impartiality regarding the independent Chair, Charlene White. Despite mixed feedback on fairness, the independent Chair is proposed to continue due to her effectiveness in managing the event and increasing audience participation. Proposals to mitigate reduced attendance include more specific locality-based communications and earlier registration windows.

Expansion of Specialist Housing and Services Unit

The committee was asked to respond to a consultation on proposed new posts within the Specialist Housing and Services (SHS) unit. The unit's remit, responsibilities, and budget have significantly increased, necessitating an expansion to ensure delivery against new and expanded responsibilities. It is proposed to create seven new permanent posts and three fixed-term posts, and to make five existing fixed-term roles permanent. These proposals are to be fully covered by existing budgets.

GLA Oversight Committee Work Programme

The committee noted its meeting dates and work programme for the 2026/27 Assembly year. Key topics for future meetings include Q&A sessions with the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice and the Statutory Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Children and Families, as well as discussions on public communications, countering fraud, and planning for the New Year's Eve celebration.