Reference

The Greater London Authority Act 1999 was significant for London's governance for several reasons:

1. Establishment of the Greater London Authority (GLA): The Act created the GLA, which replaced a range of joint boards and quangos, providing an elected upper tier of local government in Greater London. This aimed to restore London's regional government and address the void in strategic governance for the city source.

2. Direct Election of Mayor: The Act facilitated the direct election of a Mayor for London, giving the city a single, powerful figure to represent its interests and make strategic decisions source.

3. Elected Assembly: Along with the Mayor, an elected body, now known as the London Assembly, was established to ensure checks and balances on the Mayor's power and to represent the interests of Londoners source.

4. Strategic Planning and Policy Development: The GLA Act determined the seven 'statutory' London strategies the Mayor must publish, covering areas such as the environment, economic development, and spatial development source.

5. Transport for London (TfL): The Act established TfL as a statutory body, giving the Mayor a general duty to develop and implement transport policies for the city source.

6. Devolution of Powers: The Act marked a step towards devolution in London, granting the city a degree of autonomy in governance and policy-making source.

In summary, the Greater London Authority Act 1999 was pivotal in modernizing London's governance by creating a more cohesive and accountable structure, with a directly elected Mayor and Assembly, and by providing a framework for strategic planning and policy development across the city.