The mayor of London is the city’s spokesman. He prepares statutory strategies on transport, economic development and spatial development, as well as the environment. The mayor also sets budgets for the GLA, London Development Agency, Transport for London (TfL), Metropolitan Police and London’s fire services. Before making decisions, the mayor must consult with Londoners. The London Assembly scrutinises the mayor’s activities and examines issues of importance to Londoners, publishes its findings and recommendations, and makes proposals to the mayor.

A separation of authority exists within the GLA between the mayor and the London Assembly. The mayor holds an executive role and makes decisions on behalf of the GLA. The Assembly has an investigative role and appoints GLA staff. The inner organisation of the GLA takes account of this separation. The chief executive of the GLA oversees the staff and ensures its effective operation. The mayor has an office of some 30 personnel. The Assembly has a staff which serves its committees, organises its meetings, and presents its investigative programme. The secretariat provides a core of experts who review the mayor’s activities and researches issues for investigation.

City Hall is home to the mayor and the London Assembly. City Hall can be reached by a 10-minute walk from London Bridge Station, and in 15 minutes from Tower Hill. It is also easily accessible by taking the uand rail stations at Tower Hill (Circle line and District line); Tower Gateway (Docklands Light Railway) and London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines and mainline station); as well as by numbers 42, 47, 78, 381, RV1, with services to London Bridge City Pier, Tower Millennium Pier and St Katharine’s Pier. City Hall is open to visitors on most weekends throughout the year. Attractions of City Hall include the Chamber, which is a purpose-built space for meetings and debates; London’s Living Room, which is an open space on the top floor providing panoramic views; the spiral stairs, with views of the open-plan offices; and the mayor’s Conference Room. Views of the Thames and the Tower of London can also be observed from City Hall.