service, the Taxicard and Lorry Control schemes, London Care Placements and NOTIFY – the service that helps homeless families access services. The grants committee provides funding for many local groups who work across London boroughs on issues such as employment, domestic violence, poverty and advocacy and also distributes European Social Fund grants. Leadership Chairman The current Chair of London Councils is Peter John OBE, Labour leader of Southwark London Borough Council, who replaced Claire Kober on 7 June 2018. Previous chairs were: Peter John OBE, Southwark, 2018 – present Claire Kober, Haringey, Labour, 2016-2018 Mayor Jules Pipe, Hackney, Labour, 2010–2016 Merrick Cockell, Kensington and Chelsea, Conservative, 2006–2010 Mayor Sir Robin Wales, Newham, Labour, 2000–2006 Toby Harris, Haringey, Labour, 1995–2000 Leaders' Committee London Councils is run by a committee made up of all the leaders of London's borough councils and meet each month (except August) to discuss and agree policy issues of importance to Londoners and their councils. The committee is supported by a cross-party executive of eleven senior members which acts as a forum for detailed policy development. Each member of the executive holds a specific policy area portfolio. Politically, the Executive comprises councillors in proportion to the party representation on London councils. Other committees London Boroughs Grants Committee (from 1 April 2000) Transport and Environment Committee (from 1 April 2000) took over Freedom Pass from Transport Committee for London. London Housing Unit Committee (from 1 April 2000 until 31 March 2008) was a "sectoral joint committee" and not all London borough councils were members. Capital Ambition In 2008, a new directorate of London Councils was formed: Capital Ambition. This was formed from the merger of the previous London Centre of Excellence, London Connects and London's regional improvement and efficiency partnership, Capital Ambition. Over the three-year period (2008–11), Capital Ambition provided funding for projects run by London's authorities and local strategic partnerships that were designed to deliver efficiencies, improve performance and support innovative ways of working. Capital Ambition is now closed to new applications for funding although funding for some existing projects will continue until 2015. See also List of electoral wards in Greater London Local Government Association References External links London Councils Capital Ambition Freedom Pass PATAS Taxicard London Care Placements NOTIFY 1995 establishments in England Local government in London Local Government Association Organisations based in the London Borough of Southwark Organizations established in 1995 Regional employers organisations