The Local Democracy Bill

05-Dec-08

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill (the Local Democracy Bill) received its first reading in the House of Lords on 4 December 2008.  Having now completed its passage through the House of Lords, it is currently before the House of Commons, where the RTPI is seeking debate and amendments to the Bill.

The Bill implements the English Sub National Review by re-structuring regional and sub-regional planning and economic development arrangements.  It's provisions include:

  • a new joint duty on regional development agencies and local authorities leaders boards to produce a single regional strategy;
  • new powers for councils to cooperate in promoting economic development; and
  • a new duty for local authorities to assess economic conditions.

In addition, the Bill provides for a range of other changes including:

  • establishing a new body to represent the interests of housing tenants in England at national level;
  • creating new powers for audit authorities to appoint auditors to, and to produce public interest reports on, entities connected with local authorities;
  • making the Boundary Committee for England a separate body from the Electoral Commission; and
  • establishing requirements that local councils respond to petitions and consider other matters raised by citizens in their area.

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What do you think about the Bill?

 

 
Author:
Rynd Smith
Publisher:
The Royal Town Planning Institute
Date:
05-Dec-08
Categories:
Networks & Associations, Policy, Practice 
Sections:
The RTPI , What Planning Does

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