Future of the PLA

[MiskinDriver]

Apologies if this has been covered before and I missed it.

As well as the various discussions going on around the future of the EA and BW, the Mayor of London has launched (June 2010) a document calling for the 'devolution' of various powers to the GLA. Included in this is the idea that the Port of London Authority should become the responsibility of the GLA and the Board appointed by the Mayor, and including representation from Kent and Essex local authorities. The document is at:

http://www.london.gov.uk/who-runs-l...iness-and-economy/mayors-proposals-devolution

The Mayor's Office, GLA and London Councils have written to Government (July 2010) indicating that they all agree with this proposal. Letter is at:

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/media/current/pressdetail.htm?pk=1128

While I agree that there is a need to have democratic accountability, I'm not convinced that this is the way to go about it. I also have concerns re the dilution of the technical capability of the PLA consequent on increased political control - and I am not convinced that the GLA is the right body to be in control of PLA - particularly given that only around a third of the Thames for which the PLA is responsible is within Greater London.

Is it just me - or should we be making a fuss?

 

[byron]

Massive mistake in my opinion. The P.L.A. is a highly professional organisation run by experts from all spheres of the maritime world. It has a collective knowledge unrivalled by any major port world wide.
To water this by political interference would be a gross inanity.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

PLA frankly does not need democratic accountability and Boris does not need to add it to his empire (and that's the bottom line here). Let them get on with doing what they do so well, with maybe a gentle reminder about not letting docks and wharves sold to developers become unuseable by boats.

 

[MiskinDriver]

Guess that answers my question then .......