| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| 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 | |
| Amends | |
| 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, fromlegislation.gov.uk. | |
TheGreater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29) is theAct of Parliament that established theGreater London Authority, theLondon Assembly and theMayor of London.
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, theGreater 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 theLocal Government Act 1985 and its powers were devolved to the London boroughs and other entities.
The Act was brought in aftera referendum was held under theGreater 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%.
Apart from the main provisions creating the authority and transferring powers to it, the Act also created aMetropolitan Police Authority for theMetropolitan Police Service, and consequently altered the borders of theMetropolitan Police District to be coterminous withGreater London (excluding theCity, which hasits 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 theGovernment of India Act 1935.[1] Its 12 Parts were:
The Act was amended by theGreater 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.'
