Nicky Gavron, LHG Patron
LHG is very sad to record that Nicky Gavron, a long term member of LHG and one of our Patrons, died on Friday 30th August.
Nicky was active in LHG to the last, attending most of our Executive Committee meetings as a patron, having been a member of the Committee for some time previously. She offered her help and advice on numerous aspects of out work. She had deep knowledge of the planning system, and indeed had recently offered to take part in a project looking at spatial planning strategies, looking at how to build on the experience of the London strategy to assist other areas of the country. Her knowledge of the pros and cons of Modern Methods of Construction was second to none, following her investigation of this development as Chair of the London Assembly Planning Committee. She was also recognised for her expertise on net zero and climate change plans, not just in housing but across many policy areas.
Nicky was a councillor, a London Assembly member, and deputy mayor for London twice, but beyond her formal roles, she was someone who gave freely of her time and expertise to all sorts of organisations and projects. Nicky was always positive and encouraging, and LHG will miss her and her input a great deal.
LHG Treasurer Ross Houston offers the following personal reflection:
I first met Nicky when I was a newly elected councillor and she was London’s Deputy Mayor. There have been many tributes to Nicky and in particular her role as a key figure in London government. Nicky has always been a good friend to Labour Housing Group. First as a speaker on housing, planning and sustainable building and then as a long standing Executive member, and in recent years as a very active and supportive patron.
The newly devolved government of London was fortunate to have Nicky as Deputy Mayor. A role she held for seven years. Long a champion of strategic planning she was instrumental in shaping the first London Plan and the planning framework for London. For many years she chaired the London Assembly Planning Committee. Passionate about tackling climate change and sustainability Nicky helped ensure that London became a leader as a sustainable global city.
Nicky was a problem solver. Always well informed and always engaged with finding solutions to challenging problems, not excuses for inaction.
Nicky was always a warm, well informed and incredibly supportive colleague to work with. When we needed a chair for our Labour Group Housing Commission in Barnet Nicky gladly took this on and helped shape a report which years later still shapes our approach to housing delivery.
It is hard to underestimate Nicky’s contribution to London government, and more widely. Much of her contribution was out of the public eye. The many warm and wide ranging tributes from across the political spectrum show how much Nicky was respected, but also how much she will be missed as a warm and valued friend and colleague to so many who knew her.
