Edward Lister Joins Boris At City Hall

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Cllr Lister succeeds Sir Simon Milton as chief of staff and deputy mayor for planning

Cllr Lister’s has been Leader of Wandsworth Council since 1992 but this appointment as deputy mayor at City Hall means he will stand down as leader of Wandsworth Council. The question as to his replacement both as Councillor & Leader has yet to be decided.

He has been a leading campaigner on environmental, quality of life and transport issues and played a lead role in forming the all-party alliance in south west London that defeated plans to expand Heathrow. He was also a member of the Forensic Audit Team appointed by the Mayor following his election in 2008.

He will manage the Mayor’s budgets, relations with the boroughs and ensure City Hall continues to deliver the Mayor’s priorities.

With specialist knowledge of planning, Cllr Lister is seen by the GLA to be ideally placed to advise the Mayor and ensure the right balance is struck between much needed development and respecting the city's skyline and character.

He is currently leader of the Conservative Group on London Councils.

Cllr Lister said: “I am incredibly proud to be following in Sir Simon’s footsteps and excited to be joining Boris’s team at City Hall.  This is a great time to become involved in the running of London. It’s uniquely placed to attract investment in new development that will improve the quality of life for Londoners.

He continued:
“It’s a huge wrench to be leaving Wandsworth. We have a superb team which is committed to showing how a local council can deliver modern, effective services at a price people can afford.” 

The Mayor said: “Edward has the perfect combination of experience, character and expertise to help me lead this city out of recession and harness the unique opportunity of the 2012 Games to secure London for another generation as the best big city in the world.”

Richard Tracey London Assembly Member for Wandsworth & Merton welcomed the appointment saying: "This is recognition of Wandsworth's achievements under Edward's superb years of leadership. I welcome his arrival into the City Hall team after the sad death of Simon Milton."

Cllr Lister is currently chairman of the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Strategy Board where he worked alongside Sir Simon. The board comprises major landowners and developers, the GLA and Wandsworth and Lambeth councils.

The board is driving investment throughout the VNEB area which includes the new US Embassy and the proposed Northern Line extension to Battersea Power Station. The area has potential for 16,000 new homes and 25,000 jobs and is the biggest regeneration opportunity in central London.

Cllr Lister is also a leading champion for Localism. Before last year’s General Election Cllr Lister co-authored ‘A Magna Carta for Localism’ with the leaders of Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham councils setting out policy options for the new Government.   ‘Magna Carta II’, which will be published next month, will develop the case for financial freedoms for local government.

 

April 27, 2011