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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