Transcript Slide 1

The Localism Bill
Anna Turley, New Local Government Network
22 January 2011, Construction Industry Council
Falling Net Capital Investment by Govt
Source: Office for Budget Responsibility, Nov 2010
Capital Change 2010-2015 by Department
Source: Institute for Fiscal Studies, Feb 2011
Brave New World?
 Decentralisation, localism and the Big Society
 Response to specific emerging challenges:
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Demographics
Dependency
Public expectations
Budget cuts
Growth of government
 Fragmentation, decentralisation of traditional
state control
Reform to make the planning system clearer, more
democratic and more effective.
The Bill will:
• place significantly more influence in the hands of local
people over issues that make a big difference to their lives
• provide appropriate support and recognition to
communities who welcome new development
• reduce red tape, making it easier for authorities to get
on with the job of working with local people to draw up a
vision for their area’s future
• reinforce the democratic nature of the planning system
– passing power from bodies not directly answerable to
the public, to democratically accountable Ministers
The Localism Bill contents:
 General Power of Competence
 Removal of ‘top down’ regional planning - abolition of
regional strategies and of the Infrastructure Planning
Commission
 Duty to cooperate on local planning authorities and other
bodies
 Neighbourhood development orders and plans
 Community right to build
 Compulsory pre-application consultation for developments
above certain thresholds.
 CIL income direct to communities and set locally
 Requirement to consult communities
Opportunities
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Less bureaucratic, target-led and top down
Reflect local circumstances
Incentive driven – eg. New Homes Bonus
Opposition to development set against wider
community benefits
 Localised developer contributions
 More control for parishes, neighbourhoods
and people
Challenges
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Strategic gap at regional/sub-regional level
Centralisation?
What is a neighbourhood/community?
Democratic mandate
Competency? Procedure? Cost?
Role of parish councils
Council versus community (and council)
Economies of scale – fragmentation and risk?
Incentives not reflecting economic development
need
The future
 Wider engagement than the local authority
now required
 Influence local residents, persuading them of
the merits of their schemes and proposals.
 Third party collaboration on the design of a
development.
 Role for LEPs? Official status and planning
powers?
New Local Government Network (NLGN)
is committed to promoting the
decentralisation of power, public service
reform, enhancing local governance and
empowering communities.
www.nlgn.org.uk