Localism Act: what does it mean for local democracy?

1. Localism Act: what does it mean for local democracy? Chris White Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrat Group, Local Government Association

2. ‘We have this new way of being a councillor: in future you will represent your community to the council rather than the other way round.’ Civil servant to a meeting of councillors in St Albans about 10 years ago

3. Community politics involves: listening to people - we should care about what people think, we should be trying to work on their behalf to improve their lives finding out what issues matter to them. We can talk to them about these issues – this increases the chance they will vote for us! gathering information This isn’t about asking people how they vote

4. Five steps in community politics Engage with our community Find out and understand what they need/want Campaign to achieve it Tell them what we’ve done Remind them (often) of our record

5. What’s New? New Legislation from Government will affect councils The Localism Act The Police and Social Responsibility Act Bill The Health and Social Care Bill Each bill/Act will change the way we work with communities and our partners

6. Localism Bill 1 The power of general competence You can do anything you want if the figures add up and it isn’t illegal for everyone Opportunities for: Council trading commercially Council establishing equal partner JVs Better ways of using council assets

7. Localism Bill 2 Abolition of the Standards Board Clarifying the rules on predetermination Councillors can play an active part in local discussions Directly Elected Mayors 11 referendums in major cities in 2012

8. Localism Bill 3 Community right to challenge Great for opposition councillors – community groups, parish councils and staff the right to express in interest in taking over poorly delivered services. Probably of little use for big council wide tendered services Assets of community value (aka ‘community right to buy’) Great for opposition councillors – community groups, parish councils and staff the right to express in interest in taking over poorly delivered services. Probably of little use for big council wide tendered services BUT Right to approve or veto excessive council tax rises Unlikely to be used much as there will be an effective cap which councils will work to

9. Localism Bill 4 Neighbourhood Planning – less to this than meets the eye Local communities able to develop a neighbourhood development plan Triggered by 21 people asking for it but all community being involved in development of it There must be some conformity to national and council wide planning strategies Local people will vote on it in a referendum It must then be actively used as the source document by planning departments and the planning inspectorate

10. Localism Bill 5 Community Right to Build Local proposals for building can go ahead subject to a referendum Enforcement Powers strengthened and sped up Community Infrastructure Levy This will be made more flexible, with some of the money being raised capable of being spent on things other than infrastructure: and there will be powers to direct that some of the CIL goes to the neighbourhood where the development takes place.

11. How will it affect councillors? The Localism Bill will change the way councils and councillors have to deal with communities Good councillors and activists are already plugged into the communities they represent Working with communities, councillors will be able to challenge the Council to do more for your area More work? – Not if we work SMARTER

12. Chris White chris.white.wwlo@gmail.com 01727 845300 “A plain English guide to the Localism Bill” www.communities.gov.uk