The GLA Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 18 June 2026 to discuss a range of important topics. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the GLA's workforce report for the year ending March 2026, proposed amendments to probation procedures and terms and conditions of employment, and an update on the committee's work programme. Additionally, the committee will receive background information on countering fraud within the GLA Group.

Countering Fraud in the GLA Group

The committee is scheduled to receive background information on the measures in place to counter fraud within the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group. The GLA's Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy & Response Plan highlights the importance of these measures, stating that Fraud and corruption not only divert scarce resources from the public purse. They corrode public confidence in our democratic institutions and public services and the morale of those who work within them. ¹ The Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance (DARA) within the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) acts as the lead internal audit provider for the GLA Group. Recent reports from DARA have noted cases of suspected fraud involving GLA grant recipients and training provision to grant officers, as well as collaborative counter-fraud work across the group. David Esling, Director of Audit, Risk and Assurance at MOPAC, has been invited to attend the meeting to assist the committee in understanding the issue further and to help define the scope of any future scrutiny work.

GLA Workforce Report - Year Ending March 2026

The committee is scheduled to review the GLA Workforce Report for the year ending March 2026. This report provides key insights into the GLA's workforce, noting that the overall size has remained broadly stable, with continued improvements in diversity. However, the data also indicates shifts in workforce dynamics, including reduced recruitment activity and an increase in the use of contingent labour in specific areas linked to organisational change programmes. The report highlights that while the GLA demonstrates strong diversity outcomes overall, with 40% of staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and 20% declaring a disability, Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff remain underrepresented at senior grades. The report also notes a slowdown in recruitment activity, with a decrease in the proportion of successful candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in external applications. The committee is recommended to note the findings of this report.

Proposed Amendments to Probation Procedure and Probation Terms and Conditions

The committee is scheduled to consider proposed amendments to the Greater London Authority's (GLA) policy and procedure for probation periods. These changes are being proposed in response to the Employment Rights Act 2025, which will reduce the qualifying period for protection from unfair dismissal from two years to six months from January 2027. To ensure legal compliance and proportionate management of dismissals, the GLA plans to revise its probation arrangements by July 2026. The proposed amendments include reducing the standard probation period from six months to three months, with an option for a single extension of up to two months. Additionally, the notice period during probation is proposed to be reduced from one month to one week, aligning with statutory minimum requirements. Changes are also proposed to the application of the first incremental pay increase following successful completion of probation, aiming to standardise and simplify incremental progression. These changes have been consulted on with UNISON, and while some concerns were raised, they will only apply to new starters. The committee is recommended to respond to the Chief Officer on these proposed updates.

GLA Oversight Committee Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to review its proposed work programme for the 2026/27 Assembly year. The committee's functions include managing the budget of the Assembly and Secretariat, overseeing GLA corporate governance, and scrutinising the activities of senior officers. The proposed work areas include the Assembly budget and scrutiny work programme, staffing consultations and appointments, and scrutiny of the Chief Officer function. Specific topics for consideration include the Annual Workforce Monitoring Report, the Mayor's Annual Equality Report, and governance matters. The agenda also lists specific scrutiny topics for future meetings, including Countering Fraud in the GLA Group for the current meeting, and future sessions focusing on Q&A with the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, and the Statutory Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Children and Families. The committee is recommended to note its meeting dates and work programme for the upcoming year.