Greater London Authority Bill

moved Amendment No. 103: 103: Before Clause 36, insert the following new Clause— ““Water and sewerage strategy (1) In section 41 of the GLA Act 1999 (general duties of the Mayor in relation to his strategies) in subsection (1) after paragraph (ef) insert— ““(eg) the water and sewerage strategy prepared and published under section 361F below.””. (2) In Part 9 of the GLA Act 1999 (environmental functions) after section 361E insert— ““361F The water and sewerage strategy (1) The Mayor shall prepare and publish a document to be known as ““The water and sewerage strategy for London””. (2) The water and sewerage strategy for London document shall contain— (a) the Mayor’s assessment as to the consequences of actual and planned development of whatever nature upon the water and sewerage infrastructure within Greater London; and (b) the Mayor’s proposals and policies for ensuring the water and sewerage infrastructure is adequate for the development referred to in paragraph (a) above. (3) The Secretary of State may give to the Mayor guidance— (a) about the content of the strategy; and (b) in relation to the preparation or revision of the strategy. (4) The guidance that may be given under subsection (3)(b) above includes— (a) guidance specifying or describing the bodies, persons or organisations which the Mayor must consult; and (b) guidance as to the consequences of development to which the Mayor must have regard. (5) In preparing or revising the strategy the Mayor must have regard to any guidance given under subsection (3) above.””.”” The noble Baroness said: It is nice to be facing the Minister again; it is like old times. AmendmentNo. 103 proposes that the Mayor should prepare a water and sewerage strategy for London. It is in some senses surprising that the Bill, which gives the Mayor so many new powers and influence in almost every other field, does not give him any say in utilities, and particularly in water. It is well known that there is an unusually high level of water usage in London compared to other parts of the country. London—particularly last year—frequently faces water shortages which do not always follow the national weather pattern. Therefore, it seems that this is one area that would benefit greatly from having a genuinely strategic overview. There are many ways in which a strategy could benefit the city. It could impact particularly on future developments. We have previously had discussions about whether there was proper water planning for the new developments down in Thames Gateway and on down into Essex, and have said that all new developments should be required to be water neutral if possible. It would be possible, with the help of a strategy, to ensure that new homes are fitted with highly water-efficient appliances, and it would oblige developers to offset the water their developments use by paying for water-saving equipment to be installed in existing houses. I think that means meters. Equally, more funding could be made available to mend leaking pipes. That is a terrible problem in London. Also much emphasis could be put on behavioural change by prioritising water reduction. It would also appear that a water and sewerage strategy would complement well the Mayor’s new climate change and energy strategy. We appreciate the force of the argument that such a strategy could impact on residents outside the area of control in London, but we do not believe that that would be a negative impact. The same must be true of a number of the other strategies being put forward, not least on climate change and energy, where it is hard to see how the Mayor will be able to construct a plan that is truly related to London. Most of the benefits of the proposed water and sewerage strategy would derive from heightened awareness and changes to future developments. Therefore, it will affect only the residents and developers of London, rather than all bill-paying customers of Thames Water, as was suggested by the Government in another place. This is one area where we believe a strategy for the Mayor would be welcome. I beg to move.