GLE and the boroughs

GLE invests in and develops borough owned sites and properties to improve returns and bring about physical regeneration.

GLE provides specialist advice on borough owned real estate assets and regeneration issues.

GLE manages borough pension fund investments in venture capital for growing companies and property investments providing accommodation for SMEs in London.

GLE provides information, advice, assistance and training on European funding programmes, and a European information service to the boroughs on behalf of London Councils.

GLE funds the London Councils office in Brussels, offering excellent links with the EU institutions and an ideal base for making the case for London in the development of EU policy and funding programmes.

GLE helps make the case for London in the UK and EU through jointly funded research projects, representation and lobbying in partnership with the London Councils.

Through GLE oneLondon, GLE supports small business and voluntary sector at a local level through business advice, micro loan funds and capacity building.

GLE provides the boroughs with a strategic and regional economic development capability.

GLE creates profits and grow value in our commercial activities for our borough owners. Profits are part re-invested in complementary ‘not for profit’ activities and the remainder is reinvested in the businesses themselves.

GLE has undertaken a research project, jointly with the London Councils, on Local Strategic Partnerships and Neighbourhood Renewal in London and the role of local authorities in the process, with the objective of providing information on best practice and identifying key trends and issues.

GLE ensures that London local government receives a fair share of public funding in a priority for the London boroughs and for London Councils. GLE has funded, with London Councils, two important areas of research making the case for enhanced funding for London.

The Index of Deprivation, used in allocation of funds such as the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, is under review by Government. London Councils and GLE have commissioned research from the universities of Manchester and Liverpool to explore new indicators and to analyse their impact on London boroughs.

GLE has also commissioned jointly with London Councils research on the 2003/04 local government finance settlement – the grant that London boroughs will receive for central government.

Work is also under way on making the case for London in the review of the EU Structural Funds, which currently bring more than £100m a year into London.