Greater London Authority Act 1999

The Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29) is the Act of Parliament that established the Greater London Authority, the London Assembly and the Mayor of London.

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to establish and make provision about the Greater London Authority, the Mayor of London and the London Assembly; to make provision in relation to London borough councils and the Common Council of the City of London with respect to matters consequential on the establishment of the Greater London Authority; to make provision with respect to the functions of other local authorities and statutory bodies exercising functions in Greater London; to make provision about transport and road traffic in and around Greater London; to make provision about policing in Greater London and to make an adjustment of the metropolitan police district; and for connected purposes.
Citation	1999 c. 29
Introduced by	Jack Straw MP, Home Secretary (Commons) Lord Whitty Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lords)
Territorial extent	England, Scotland and Wales
Dates
Royal assent	11 November 1999
Other legislation
Amended by	Greater London Authority Act 2007
Status: Amended
Text of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Background

Before the creation of the Greater London Authority, there was no single entity managing the entirety of London. Governance of the city was fragmented, and responsibilities for planning, transport, and other city-wide matters were divided between local boroughs and national authorities.

In 1965, the Greater London Council was established, covering a broader area. It managed transport, strategic planning, and services across Greater London. The Greater London Council, however, was dissolved in 1986 by the Local Government Act 1985 and its powers were devolved to the London boroughs and other entities.

The Act was brought in after a referendum was held under the Greater London Authority (Referendum) Act 1998 (c. 3). The referendum question was: 'Are you in favour of the Government's proposals for a Greater London Authority, made up of an elected mayor and a separately elected assembly?' The Yes vote was 72.01%, the No vote was 27.99%.

Provisions

Apart from the main provisions creating the authority and transferring powers to it, the Act also created a Metropolitan Police Authority for the Metropolitan Police Service, and consequently altered the borders of the Metropolitan Police District to be coterminous with Greater London (excluding the City, which has its own police force).

The Act comprises 425 Sections in 12 Parts including 22 named Chapters and 34 Schedules. It was the longest Act to be passed by Parliament since the Government of India Act 1935.^[1] Its 12 Parts were:

• Part I The Greater London Authority - Sections 1 to 29
• Part II General Functions and Procedure - Sections 30 to 80
• Part III Financial Provisions - Sections 81 to 140
• Part IV Transport - Sections 141 to 303
• Part V The London Development Agency - Sections 304 to 309
• Part VI Police and Probation Services - Sections 310 to 327
• Part VII The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority - Sections 328 to 333
• Part VIII Planning - Sections 334 to 350
• Part IX Environmental Functions - Sections 351 to 374
• Part X Culture, Media and Sport - Sections 375 to 386
• Part XI Miscellaneous and General Provisions - Sections 387 to 404
• Part XII Supplementary Provisions - Sections 405 to 425

Amendments

The Act was amended by the Greater London Authority Act 2007 (2007 c. 24)^[2] entitled 'An Act to make further provision with respect to the Greater London Authority; to amend the Greater London Authority Act 1999; to make further provision with respect to the functional bodies, within the meaning of that Act, and the Museum of London; and for connected purposes.'