The GLA Oversight Committee met on Tuesday 13 October 2026 to discuss the Mayor's Disability Action Plan, preparations for London's New Year's Eve celebrations, and proposed changes to probation procedures and staffing structures. The Committee noted progress on the Disability Action Plan, discussed preparations for the New Year's Eve celebrations, and considered proposals regarding probation policy and staffing restructures.

Disability Action Plan Implementation and Co-production

The Committee engaged in a detailed discussion with Dr Debbie Weeks-Bernard, the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, regarding the implementation of the Mayor's Disability Action Plan. While the plan was praised for its intent to prioritise disabled Londoners, concerns were raised about the lack of specific detail and concrete actions within the plan, particularly regarding housing accessibility and policing. The Deputy Mayor defended the plan's high-level approach, stating that detailed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are being developed in conjunction with disabled people and stakeholders.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the co-production of the plan. While the Deputy Mayor acknowledged that the plan was not fully co-produced due to the Mayor's final sign-off, she highlighted extensive engagement with organisations like Inclusion London, who helped shape the agendas and content. Concerns were raised by Assembly Member Hina Bokhari OBE AM about whether all named organisations had genuinely been involved, and a specific instance of an erroneously named group was acknowledged and rectified. The Deputy Mayor also clarified that payments were made to stakeholders for their time and expertise, disagreeing with the assertion that there was no payment involved in the process.

Assembly Member Elly Baker AM raised questions about the feasibility and practicalities of the workstreams, particularly concerning accessible housing allocation and the limited focus on transport accessibility within the plan. The Deputy Mayor explained that the plan aims to be flexible and iterative, incorporating developments from the London Plan and other strategies. The role of the newly appointed Disability Commissioners was discussed as a bridge between disabled organisations, officers, and GLA family departments.

Assembly Member Alessandro Georgiou AM questioned the number of accessible homes needed and existing provisions, to which the Deputy Mayor stated she did not have the figures to hand but could investigate. The Deputy Mayors for Housing and Planning were involved in developing the plan's commitments.

The Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice also addressed concerns about Oxford Street pedestrianisation, assuring the Committee that accessibility groups had been engaged and that changes to street furniture and access points were being made based on their feedback.

London New Year's Eve Celebrations Preparations

Nicole Valentinuzzi, Director of External Relations, and Lucy Waller, Deputy Director of Events and Host City Programmes, provided an update on the preparations for London's New Year's Eve fireworks. The Committee was informed that Heart Productions Limited had been appointed as the new event management company for the 2026-2029 period.

Concerns were raised by Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz AM about the ticketing of the event, noting that the £20 ticket price excluded vulnerable Londoners and that there was no plan for free tickets. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged the logistical and safety reasons for ticketing, stating that Londoner tickets are priced lower than those for non-Londoners and that companion tickets are available.

Assembly Member Joanne McCartney AM inquired about the economic benefits of the event, with Nicole Valentinuzzi stating that an estimated £11 million of additional spend on London businesses is attributed to New Year's Eve. The Committee also discussed the contribution of the fireworks to London's global reputation, with a commitment to developing a methodology to better quantify this impact.

Assembly Member Alessandro Georgiou AM questioned the tendering process for Heart Productions, given that previous contractor Identity Events did not tender. While assurances were given about Heart Productions' experience, concerns about delivery risk were raised. The Committee also discussed the potential impact of a tourism tax on visitor numbers.

Discussions also covered challenges related to scam websites and fake tickets, with TfL reporting fewer fake tickets presented at gates in the last year and strengthened processes with Ticketmaster. Stewards are trained to handle disappointed individuals with fake tickets, and clear signage will warn against counterfeit tickets. Crowd management plans were discussed, with assurances that the GLA retains ownership of the plan, and that Heart Productions will work within existing robust frameworks. The issue of Primrose Hill potentially closing was raised, with the Royal Parks yet to make a decision.

Probation Procedure and Staffing Restructures

The Committee discussed proposed amendments to the GLA's probation procedure and terms and conditions of employment, prompted by changes to unfair dismissal rights under the Employment Rights Act 2025. The proposed changes include reducing the standard probation period to three months with a possible six-week extension and standardising the annual increment date to 1 April. Consultation with UNISON had reached an agreement on the revised policy.

The Committee also considered proposed restructures within the GLA. The Economic Development Programmes team is set to close, with roles being deleted and a new Grant Programmes Unit created in the Chief Finance Officer's Directorate. Additionally, the People Function is being restructured to create a more strategically focused team with clearer accountability. In both cases, a number of staff are at risk of redundancy, and formal consultation with affected staff and UNISON is underway.

Assembly Budget Requirements 2027-28

The Committee agreed to recommend the London Assembly's core draft budget requirement for 2026-27 to the Mayor, noting that detailed allocations for 2027-28 would be presented later. Approval was also given for the general use of the Assembly's budget and the proposed use of reserve funding. A request for additional funding for London TravelWatch was considered, with authority delegated to the Chair to update the budget requirement based on the Transport Committee's recommendation.

GLA Oversight Committee Work Programme

The Committee noted its work programme and meeting dates for the 2026/27 Assembly year, with the next meeting scheduled for 12 November 2026.