Lack of transparency could lose Londoners’ confidence, says GLA.

The Greater London Assembly has warned that the London Development Agency – one of mayor Ken Livingstone’s key development bodies – will lose the public’s confidence unless it becomes more open about its activities.

After a meeting yesterday with LDA representatives, the Assembly unanimously agreed a motion to call on the board of the LDA to conduct its business in as transparent a manner as possible.

Chair of the Assembly Sally Hamwee said: “how can anyone have any confidence in the LDA unless they conduct their business in an open manner? Most of its meetings are held behind closed doors, and unlike other GLA bodies it does not even share with the Assembly the budget submission it makes to the mayor.”

Hamwee said that the LDA’s involvement made the situation even more worrying. “Londoners are entitled to know how public money is being spent,” she said.