Greater London Authority Bill

We have just had a long and detailed debate about the current staffing arrangements in the GLA, so I shall not go over that ground again. Clause 7 provides for the head of paid service to appoint the majority of the GLA’s staff and set their terms and conditions following consultation with the Mayor and the Assembly. Clause 8 allows the head of paid service to delegate any of his staffing functions to a member of staff of the authority other than to staff appointed by the Mayor. These are sensible changes which separate the administrative function of appointing staff and the Assembly’s primary role of scrutinising the Mayor. Amendments Nos. 25 and 26 would place restrictions on the head of paid service in relation to his staffing role. The problem is that they are unworkable. Amendment No. 25 would prohibit the head of paid service from delegating his staffing function. This would have the unfortunate and impractical effect of requiring the head of paid service himself to appoint GLA staff. That would not be the best use of his time, but that is the effect of the amendment. I can assure noble Lords that any delegation by the head of paid service in terms of appointments means a delegation of action, not of responsibility or accountability. He will remain responsible, but he would delegate the actions necessary to allow decisions to take effect. The head of paid service will remain responsible for overall GLA staffing provision irrespective of him delegating specific staff appointment responsibilities to other GLA officers. Amendment No. 26 would prohibit the Mayor from delegating the duty set out in Amendment No. 24, to give the Assembly 28 days’ written notice before he takes decisions on staff appointments. I believe it is reasonable to allow the head of paid service to be responsible for the administrative functions of the Authority and to free up the Assembly’s time. If the head of paid service is to take on this role, one that is analogous with other local authorities, it seems only sensible that he is able to delegate the function of making appointments while remaining responsible and accountable for the overall GLA establishment. I hope that this explanation is of help to the noble Baroness. If not, or if I have missed something, I will be happy to write to her in more detail.