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Localism Bill. Clarissa Corbisiero, Senior Policy Consultant . The Bill in numbers . 405 pages 208 clauses 24 schedules Over 140 regulation making powers, order making powers, guidance, statutory requirements, duties. . Key themes running through the . Transparency
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Localism Bill Clarissa Corbisiero, Senior Policy Consultant
The Bill in numbers • 405 pages • 208 clauses • 24 schedules • Over 140 regulation making powers, order making powers, guidance, statutory requirements, duties.
Key themes running through the • Transparency • Tools to promote the big society • Accountability
7 Parts of the Bill • Local government, inc. General Power of Competence, elected mayors, standards, pay accountability, repeals of previous legislation • EU Fines • Non-Domestic Rates • Community Empowerment • Planning, inc. neighbourhood planning, Community Infrastructure Levy, enforcement • Housing, inc. allocation, tenure reform, housing finance • London, inc. transfer of housing functions and Mayoral Development Corporations
Some welcome reforms • General Power of Competence • Small Business Rate Relief • More Localised Planning System • Planning Enforcement Reforms • Increased Flexibility on Social Housing Allocation
Areas for further discussion • Neighbourhood Planning • Neighbourhood Forums and parish councils develop Neighbourhood development orders and a neighbourhood plan. • Independent examination and subject to referendum. • General conformity with strategic objectives.
Areas for further discussion HRA reforms • Powers for SoS to set the buy out to enable self financing • Powers to re-open the buy out • Powers to set the borrowing limit.
Areas for further discussion Referenda: on any local issue • restrictions on timing and cost to be determined centrally • SoS power to determine whether something is a “local issue” Council Tax • SoS set principles for excessive council tax (not set in legislation) • If LA exceed obliged to hold a referendum. • Shadow budget
Areas for further discussion Elected Mayors • Order making power to put shadow elected mayors in place and trigger a mayoral referendum. • The Secretary of State to have broad power to transfer the duties of any public body onto elected mayors.
Areas for further discussion EU fines • Powers for SoS to order English councils to contribute to the UK’s obligation to pay an EU fine.
The response? LGA approach • Clear support of principles • Constructive amendments using our on-the-ground experience to help Ministers find better ways than their officials have of achieving the objectives we support. • Clear opposition to key areas – EU fines.
Get involved • Write to your local MP or to the Minister • Template letters available on the LGA website • Get in touch - localism.bill@local.gov.uk
More information • Briefings www.lga.gov.uk LG Group Events: • Localism Bill in practice 15 February 2011 • Housing finance reform 17 February 2011 • Planning and Growth 23 May 2011