Sir Simon Milton Appointed By Boris As Planning Advisor

The newly dubbed Mayor of London Boris Johnson has appointed Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the Local Government Association, as his senior planning adviser.Milton, a Conservative councillor, has also been Leader of Westminster City Council since May 2000.

The move is notable as Milton opposed the goverment's decision to give former Mayor Ken Livingstone greater planning powers, which let him override individual boroughs' plans, he was also against levying local business to fund the £16bn Crossrail project.

Johnson called Milton an “experienced public servant with a fantastic record of delivery in local government.”

Other appointments include :

Richard Barnes, Assembly Member, has been appointed Mr Johnson’s Deputy Mayor.

Ian Clement becomes Deputy Mayor, Government Relations

Kit Malthouse, Assembly Member, becomes Deputy Mayor, Policing