Localism opportunities and challenges Chris Widgery Assistant Director

Localism – opportunities and challenges Chris Widgery, Assistant Director Strategy and Resources David Joyce, Head of Place shaping

Localism is a key theme of the government • Localism, decentralisation and “Big Society” are key themes of the government • Aims to give people and communities more control over & ownership of local services, assets and facilities • Supported by Localism Bill; introduction of general power of competence, community powers to buy local facilities and to bid to take over local state run services

What they mean when they say… Localism Do things at lowest possible level and only involve state if absolutely necessary Decentralisation Give away power to individuals, professionals, communities and local institutions Big Society People, neighbourhoods and communities have more power & responsibility and use it to create better services and outcomes

“ 6 actions for decentralisation” Big Government Big Society

Whitehall hopes the Big Society will mean a huge shift in power and responsibilities

The Localism Bill will enable much of this change to happen • General power of competence • Powers for neighbourhood plans and development orders • HRA and social housing policy changes • Power for local referendum on any local issue • Community right to buy community assets • Right to challenge and bid to run a service • New GLA powers: policing, housing & regeneration

Community Right to Challenge • Enable VCS groups, social enterprises, parish council and local authority staff to bid to run local services • Outcomes -Increased VCS delivery of local services? • What support will be needed?

Community Right to Buy • Communities can buy certain community assets before they come on the open market • Outcomes –assets of community value are kept under community control • What support will be needed to make bids? • How to define the community?

Local referenda • Local people will be able instigate a local (non-binding) referendum on any local issue if >5% of population support it • Desired outcome – “invigorate local democracy and increase community involvement in local decision making” • How can the VCS support the ‘real’ community voice to be heard?

Planning measures included in Bill • Give neighbourhoods more ability to shape places through ‘neighbourhood plans’ – Empower communities to take control – Neighbourhood, not authority led – In line with existing London Plan and LDF – Ways of enabling small-scale community development – Permissive regime – Subject to local referendum

Planning measures included in the Bill (2) • Appetite for neighbourhood planning but generally for less permissive regime, not more • Requirement for prospective developers to consult communities before submitting applications • Abolition of Infrastructure Planning Commission – decisions taken by Ministers • Community Infrastructure Levy – reasonable proportion to be passed to neighbourhoods

A new role for councils in an age of localism? • Market makers-encouraging and supporting new public service providers • Facilitating co-production of services • Providing local leadership and accountability

Key challenges for us • How much of this is going to happen? • How much do we want to buy into? • How much untapped community energy is there? • Do people have the resources, expertise, money & time to take over the running of council services?