19/09/2014 BBC London News

believes that, with more powers being promised for those living

north of the border, it's also time for greater financial control to be

handed to City Hall. But should the capital and its Mayor be given more

political power? This report from our political editor, Tim Donovan.

Scotland was heard at Westminster and the conversation turned, to

England, and, yes, to London. With its current Mayor believing from

what the Prime Minister hinted at today that there would soon be more

powers for him or his successors anyway. Local government is all

about finding formulas for distributing rev knew in ond way

about finding formulas for distributing rev knew in one way or

another. We are confident we can do it. I think it is an idea that is

starting to catch on a little bit now. London's own referendum

starting to catch on a little bit now. London's own referendul 16

now. London's own referendum 16 years ago ushered in a Mayor and

devolved government, with kdy years ago ushered in a Mayor and

devolved government, with key powers devolved government, with key powers

over transport and policing. One of the architects of the complex

legislation that made that happen says without question it is time for

more freedoms. I think the crucial thing in London is more fin`ncial

control. This is the great `nomaly that London, which is very much the

that London, which is very luch the economic powerhouse of the UK,

that London, which is very much the economic powerhouse of the TK, has

economic powerhouse of the UK, has achieved a great deal but whth

against always on getting consent from Government for major

investment. That cannot be right. So what are these new financial powers

which London could soon get? The talk is of transferring property

taxes, including stamp duty, around half of the national total currently

being raised in London. London would control all business rate income,

and council tax would be revalued with new higher bands, and

potentially more freedom to raise it if needed for investment. This would

still mean London raising for itself just 12% of the amount it friends, a

fraction of the freedoms, say, of New York. But then the vital vital

question of being allowed to borrow more. London, much bigger population

than London, twice the population. We need a cohesive strategy and

leadership on the issue. I think the debate is about devolving powers

straight from Westminster down to city regions, Metro regions. In

London it is not just about devolving to the Mayor. It has to go

lower. The Mayor and groups of boroughs working together. Some

suggested what exists now should be improved before more powers are

added. Is there a need to look at the internal structure of Greater

London government? Does the Assembly have enough powers to hold the mayor

to account? Sit wise to downward trance fear more powers before we've

got that system sorted out? Going on sale today a bronze sculpture

inspired by the independencd sale today a bronze sculpture

inspired by the independence battle. The artist thought this morning

about closing the gap and fusing The artist thought this morning

about closing the gap and ftsing the about closing the gap and fusing the

parts together, but it wasn't so much about the result, he fdlt, as

the debate and energy it has unleashed.

Police hunting a convicted murderer in connection with the disappearance

of the West London schoolgirl, Alice Gross, have found a bike belonging

to him. Arnis Zalkans was spotted on CCTV close to where 14`year`old

Alice was last seen three weeks CCTV close to where 14`year`old

Alice was last seen three wdeks ago. Alice was last seen three weeks ago.

The search continues, but now at a second property. After five days of

searching Arnis Zalkalns's home, attentions turn to this house in

Hanwell. It is believed to be the former address of his partndr. This

afternoon, a black mountain bike was covered. Police confirmed they found

Mr Zalkalns's red mountain bike which they believe he was riding

Mr Zalkalns's red mountain bike which they believe he was rhding the

which they believe he was riding the day Alice Gross was missing. On this

afternoon, on that afternoon Alice crossed the bridge in Brentford 15

minutes later so did Arnis Zalkalns. Police believed their paths crossed.

In 1998 Arnis Zalkalns was convicted of murdering his wife and btrying

of murdering his wife and burying his body in woodland. He was accused

but not charged of indecently assaulting a 14`year`old girl. The

police maintained there is no evidence to suggest that Alhce has

evidence to suggest that Alice has come to harm, but she's been gone

for three weeks now. Despite huge for three weeks now. Despitd huge

media attention, her parents still don't know exactly what has happened

her. Scotland Yard has paid ?45,000 in

damages in an out`of`court settlement to a black motorhst who

settlement to a black motorist who claimed he was struck with batons

and sprayed with CS gas during claimed he was struck with batons

and sprayed with CS gas during an unlawful arrest. The Met's `lso

apologised to 34`year`old Nordell Edmondson, who was pulled over in

Edgware while he was out buxing Edgware while he was out buxing

nappies for his daughters in 2011. nappies for his daughters in 20 1.

It's home to some of the world's greatest and most recognisable 7th

Century masterpieces. And today, Century masterpieces. And today

after a ?5 million refurbishment, the Wallace Collection in M`rylebone

has reopened it's Great Gallery. the Wallace Collection in Marylebone

has reopened it's Great Gallery The has reopened it's Great Gallery. The

space now has a glass ceiling, which allows the public to see the

space now has a glass ceiling, which allows the public to see thd works

of art in natural light for the first time. The most import`nt

element was to bring natural light into the gallery. For this we had to

take off the roof, build a new roof, get the lighting in, so the top

lighting, the glass surface is new. Because artworks are fragild,

there's a lot of technology behind this.

Finally, torrential rain and hailstorms caused flash floods in

parts of London today. The heavy downpours flooded roads and caused

problems at some Tube stations. One family in East London had to be

rescued by the London Fire Brigade from a basement flat.

We've had some really quite disruptive thunderstorms. Hopefully

the worst will be over by the end of tomorrow. But still there are a few

storms out there, hence the warning from the Met Office for the rest of

tonight and tomorrow. For most of us it will be muggy again, and misty,

with fog. The risk is there tomorrow. The difference is there'll

be more cloud after the mist and fog clears. It will be humid, hence the

risk of a few showers. The hsolated risk of a few showers. The hsolated

potentially disruptive one. Temperatures in the low as opposed

to the mid 20s. But on Sund`y Temperatures in the low as opposed

to the mid 20s. But on Sunday high to the mid 20s. But on Sunday high

pressure moves in and clears out the humidity. Temperatures are down

again but it will feel fresher. A lovely day for many of us, with

chilly nights to come. This weekend the storms are easing, the clouds

will lifting and it is turnhng the pressure.

Hello. Our weather is about to correct itself and stop acting as if

we are still at the height of summer. 26 Celsius today in Sussex

and Kent.