LAST week I put a detailed amendment to the Mayor of London's draft budget which would have reversed the planned bus passenger fare increase, while giving boroughs more funding for cycling and traffic reduction.

I showed that we can freeze fares on buses and preserve police work on crucial areas like road safety, without raising council tax or dipping into reserves.

A large amount of this funding comes from reversing the mayor's decision to drop the £25 emissions charge on car drivers in central London and his proposed abolition of the western extension of the congestion charge.

I also tackle police excesses on overtime, hotels, chauffeured cars, and public affairs. For example, I see no reason why senior police officers should use chauffeur driven cars for non-operational purposes.

There is a real opportunity to make London a safer, more environmentally-friendly city which is also cheaper for those on low incomes to live in. Copies of my proposed amendment can be found at www.london.gov.uk/ assembly/members/jonesj/ reports.jsp.

COUNCILLOR JENNY JONES Assembly Member Green Party Group chairwoman, planning and housing committee