Greater London Authority Bill

moved Amendment No. 54: 54: 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). (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: My Lords, later in the day I shall return to the amendment that we were discussing—Amendment No. 53. Amendment No. 54 moves us on to the water and sewerage strategy for London. We had a brief discussion on that last time and we have put forward amendments again that would oblige the Mayor to prepare a water and sewerage strategy for London. From time to time in the House, we have considered the need for some control over the amount of water that is used, particularly when there are to be major new developments in the outer areas of London, which will increase the requirement for water. It is a little odd to be talking about water at the moment. The last time we discussed this, we were in a serious drought and now we have serious floods. It does not always pay to talk about water. If we work on the average basis of neither feast nor famine, there will be a great requirement for more water use in London. It will be one of the few areas where I would admit that London needs a strategic overview. We have support for this amendment, perhaps unusually, from all five parties in the Assembly and from the Mayor. I very much hope that the Minister will be able to accept the amendment. I beg to move.