London Borough of Westminster

London Borough of Westminster, administrative region, London, England. Westminster borough is officially known as the City of Westminster, and is located on the north bank of the Thames, to the west of the City of London and Camden and east of Kensington and Chelsea and Brent. Many of Great Britain's national government offices and residences, including the Houses of Parliament, No. 10 Downing Street (the prime minister's residence), Buckingham Palace, and St James’s Palace are found in the south-east corner of the borough. Many of London's West End attractions are located here—the famous retail quarter focused on Oxford Street and Regent Street; the media and entertainment districts of Leicester Square and Soho; and major theatres and art museums such as the Tate Britain and National galleries. Other notable landmarks include Westminster Abbey; Piccadilly; Trafalgar and Belgrave squares; London Zoo; and the Royal Albert Hall. Some of the most exclusive residential properties in London are found around the open spaces of Regent’s Park and Hyde Park. Victoria and Paddington railway stations connect the heart of London with the south and west of Britain.

In 1965 Greater London was created under the jurisdiction of the Greater London Council. This council was abolished in 1986, and each inner and outer borough and the City of London itself had its own governing council as the sole administrative authority from then until 2000. The borough councils consist of councillors elected every four years, who in turn annually elect their presiding official. Councils are responsible for the provision of most local services including education, housing, social services, local planning, roads, refuse collection, recreation, and culture.

On May 4, 2000, the people of London voted in a new London mayor, Ken Livingstone, and a 25-strong cross-party assembly, known as the Greater London Authority. A new mayor is elected every four years; Livingstone served two terms, but was defeated by Conservative MP Boris Johnson in the 2008 mayoral election. Although the mayor has limited budget-raising powers, the position includes responsibility for the police, fire service, health, and public transport. Population 181,279 (2001).