Relating to National and Regional Government

Toby Harris Associates provides high level strategic advice on how best to relate to national and regional government. 

 

This is based on the experience of Lord Toby Harris over many years in dealing with Government Ministers and Senior Civil Servants.  For example:

 

- As Chair of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities’ Social Services Committee (1986-1993), he led for local government in the negotiations with national government on the introduction of care in the community and on the Children Act.

 

- As Director of the Association of CHCs (1987-1998), he met regularly with Ministers and civil servants on behalf of the Association, and sat on a wide range of Department of Health committees and bodies.

 

- As Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Safety Panel (1997-1998), he negotiated with the Home Office the introduction of the Crime and Disorder Act.

 

- As Chair of the Association of London Government (1995-2000), he led the discussions each year on the grant settlement for London and was heavily involved in all of the negotiations which led to the Greater London Authority Act.

 

- As Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (2000-2004), he met the Home Secretary regularly to discuss the policing of London.  Since 2004 he has sat on the Authority as the Home Secretary’s personal representative, regularly meeting Ministers, sitting on the Counter-Terrorism Ministerial Advisory Group, and working closely with civil servants in the Office of Counter Terrorism and Security.

 

Lord Toby Harris has also had extensive experience in local and regional government.  He led a London Borough Council for over twelve years, chaired the Association of London Government, was a Deputy Chair of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, sat on the Executives of the Local Government Association and the Association of Police Authorities, and was a member of the London Assembly.

 

He is also, of course, an active member of the House of Lords.