A view to the bridge: London's political nerve-centre

This year Ken Livingstone secured his second term as mayor, this time under the Labour banner.

And members of the Assembly are also spending time considering the bid for the 2012 Olympics, the future of London's transport and the annual budget.

What's it all about?

Holding Mayor Ken to account is the main function of London's assembly.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) - first elected on 4 May 2000 - is made up of the directly elected Mayor and the London Assembly, elected through proportional representation.

Most members of the Assembly represent one of London's fourteen boroughs. The remaining 11 members are referred to as "Londonwide".

The Assembly's monthly question-time with the Mayor - broadcast in full on BBC Parliament - is often heated as members seek answers on issues including transport, housing, air quality and policing.

The Mayor may not have to act on these suggestions but when it comes to the budget he is obligated to the Assembly. Indeed if two-thirds of members oppose the budget - which this year will be approaching �3 billion - it can be blocked.

Where it's at

The meetings of the Assembly takes place in City Hall, the so-called glass egg near Tower Bridge, on the south bank of the River Thames.

The 25 members have offices here and the 10 floor building also hosts committee meetings. The latter are held in public and are a major part of investigation into a range of subjects affecting Londoners.

Since the Assembly's inception in May 2000 the Committees have dealt with the controversial subjects of congestion charging and tube derailments along with a number of initiatives proposed by Mr Livingstone.

The London Assembly is currently chaired by Sally Hamwee. Her job is to keep members, and the mayor, in check during question sessions. She hopes that Londoners will come to Assembly members to raise questions about their city.

"We are here as representatives, we want to represent London as a whole and pick up on the issues outside our glass bubble that are real to all the communities" she has told the channel.