LAST week I put a detailed amendment to the London mayor'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 decisions 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 http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/ members/jonesj/reports.jsp.
JENNY JONES AM Green Party group chairwoman,
Planning and housing committee
London Assembly
