The London Assembly Plenary met on Thursday 5 February 2026 to discuss a range of critical issues, including fire safety in London, petitions, motions, and mayoral commitments. Key discussions focused on the evolving risks faced by the London Fire Brigade (LFB), such as wildfires and lithium-ion battery fires, and the strategies being implemented to address them. The Assembly also considered several petitions and debated various motions proposed by Assembly Members.

Fire and Rescue Services in London

The meeting featured a significant question and answer session with Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, and Jonathan Smith, the London Fire Commissioner, regarding fire safety in London.

Commissioner Smith highlighted the multiplicity of risks now facing the LFB, moving beyond traditional fire scenarios to include wildfires, lithium-ion battery fires (e-bikes and e-scooters), and the complexities of London's evolving built environment. He noted a significant increase in e-bike and e-scooter fires, with over 200 incidents in the past year compared to 20-25 in 2020. The LFB has responded by purchasing four new wildfire vehicles, which can also be used for off-road flood response. The Commissioner stressed the need for the LFB to maintain agility and invest in modern firefighting strategies and operational training to keep pace with these changing risks. He also confirmed that the LFB is not considering closing any fire stations.

Regarding the electrification of fire engines, Smith stated that the LFB is testing the country's first Zero Emission Pumping Appliance (ZEPA) at Hammersmith Fire Station. While the technology is promising, he acknowledged that it is still emerging and needs to evolve to meet operational requirements, particularly concerning battery storage and pumping capabilities. The full electrification of the fleet is estimated to cost over £200 million.

On the issue of co-location of services, Deputy Mayor Pipe acknowledged the potential cost savings but noted that practical implementation is challenging due to funding gaps. However, he highlighted the successful co-location of community policing teams at Purley Fire Station as a positive example.

The LFB's commitment to diversity and inclusion was also discussed, with Commissioner Smith emphasizing that there is no intention to lower standards. Instead, the focus is on more targeted outreach to ensure the LFB is seen as a career of choice for all Londoners with the right skills and attributes.

The Deputy Mayor confirmed that the LFB is consulted on all referable planning applications concerning fire safety, but acknowledged that the current system is not statutory, meaning their advice is not always binding. He expressed a desire for stronger roles in both the planning and licensing systems to ensure LFB recommendations are implemented.

Regarding the Barking tower block incident, where a £85 million building allegedly lacked a backup electricity supply for its sprinkler system and firefighter lifts, Deputy Mayor Pipe stated that if the facts are as presented, the system has failed. He committed to investigating the matter further.

The LFB's approach to fire prevention and inspections in commercial premises, including nightclubs and takeaways, was detailed. Commissioner Smith explained that a risk-based inspection programme is in place, with frontline crews conducting baseline checks and specialist officers focusing on more complex buildings. Partnerships with local authorities through Borough Risk Management Plans are crucial for a localised approach.

The issue of lithium-ion battery fires, particularly from e-bike conversion kits, was a significant concern. Commissioner Smith stated that while conversion kits are a major risk, an outright ban would require careful consideration of the science and the availability of reputable alternatives. He stressed the need for proper regulation and legislation, and welcomed the Product Regulation and Metrology Act [2025] as a step forward, while urging for the swift introduction of secondary legislation. The LFB is also running the ChargeSafe campaign to raise public awareness.

The LFB's progress on cultural change, following the Nazir Afzal review, was discussed. Commissioner Smith stated that an independent review by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is scheduled for the summer, which will assess progress on culture and other organisational aspects. He also confirmed that all firefighters are required to declare interests, including Freemason membership, as part of the LFB's robust policy.

The LFB's commitment to tackling wildfires and flooding was also highlighted, with the purchase of multipurpose wildfire vehicles that can also assist in flood response. The Commissioner acknowledged the evolving nature of risks and the need for the LFB to adapt and potentially seek additional resources if required.

Petitions

The Assembly considered several petitions:

• Road Safety in Hayes and Coney Hall: A petition calling for new speed cameras on specific roads in Hayes and Coney Hall to reduce speeding and support Bromley Council in reducing road casualties.
• Bexleyheath Police Station: A petition asking the Mayor of London to keep Bexleyheath Police Station's front counter open overnight, opposing plans to reduce its opening hours.
• South Wimbledon Tube Station: A petition calling on Transport for London to prioritise bringing step-free access to South Wimbledon tube station.

The Assembly was recommended to note these petitions and decide whether to refer them for responses.

Motions

Four motions were submitted for consideration:

• Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations 2025: Proposed by Hina Bokhari OBE AM, this motion expressed concerns about the incoming regulations for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), highlighting issues with the term reasonable endeavours instead of best endeavours, the burden on individuals to initiate assessments, lack of professional accreditation requirements, and limitations to specific housing types. The motion called for the Chair to write to the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging a rethink of the regulations, and for the Mayor to join this request. It also called on the London Fire Commissioner to remind the Minister of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendation for a new legal duty on building owners to prepare PEEPs.
• Curtailment of Jury Trials: Proposed by Alex Wilson AM, this motion expressed concern over the Secretary of State for Justice's plan to abolish the right to a jury trial for offences with a likely sentence of three years or less. It argued that the Crown Court backlog is not due to the jury system but to a failing estate. The motion called on the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Justice and the Prime Minister to express the Assembly's opposition and to publicly champion the right to a jury trial.
• Government Policy U-turns: Proposed by Susan Hall AM, this motion congratulated the Government on its commitment to policy flexibility through a series of U-turns, but noted the damaging impact of policy uncertainty on London's economy and investment prospects. It called on the Mayor to raise these concerns with his Government counterparts to ensure Londoners have certainty on decisions affecting their lives.
• TfL Advertising Estate for Public Health Messaging: Proposed by Emma Best AM, this motion recognised the value of the TfL advertising estate for revenue and public messaging. It suggested that the non-commercial allocation could be used more effectively for public health messaging, such as HIV awareness and mental health support. The motion called on the Mayor to work with the Assembly on a cross-party basis to utilise this space for public health campaigns, identify cross-party campaigns, and support campaigns with unanimous Assembly support.

Mayoral Commitments

The Assembly noted a report summarising commitments made by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, during London Assembly (Mayor's Question Time) meetings held between November 2025 and January 2026. These commitments covered a wide range of areas, including transport, policing, business, health, planning, housing, and GLA administration.

Notable commitments included:

• Transport: The Mayor committed to arranging a meeting with Elly Baker AM to discuss delays in PHV licence renewals and potential compensation schemes. He also agreed to share written representations made to the Chancellor regarding pay-per-mile schemes and to review TfL's advertising policy. Commitments were made to investigate ticket barrier issues at Hayes station and increase visible policing at railway terminals. The Mayor also agreed to explore additional stops at Acton Main Line and Hanwell stations for the Elizabeth line and to take away concerns about Gallows Corner works.
• Policing: The Mayor committed to following up on the lack of a central database for MPS officer suicides and to work with Lord Bailey of Paddington AM on collecting this data. He also agreed to consider supporting an amendment to mandate data collection on police suicides, subject to seeing the details.
• Housing: The Mayor reaffirmed his commitment to affordable housing targets and acknowledged concerns about accessible housing delivery. He also agreed to take away allegations of premature counting of housing starts for investigation. Commitments were made to lobby the Government for greater flexibility in affordable housing funds and to support renters' unions, subject to budget constraints.
• Fire and Rescue: The Mayor committed to ensuring the LFB's wildfire vehicles are multipurpose and to reviewing their deployment. He also agreed to explore commissioning a longitudinal study on firefighter exposure to contaminants.

The meeting also addressed numerous questions regarding specific TfL services, bus routes, road safety, cycling infrastructure, and the impact of government policies on London.