Planning, Housing and Economic Development
Localis argues strongly for the principle that local areas should be rewarded for encouraging growth and development. We also believe that economic development goes beyond bricks and mortar, and our output is increasingly reflective of a need to tackle the most pressing social and environmental issues, not only in terms of “value for money” but also in terms of “value for the community”. This should be done so as to recognise the differences between places, as well as similarities. Local councils have the strongest political mandate to change and develop local areas, but there are a number of challenges going forward –not least the burdensome control of central government over local spending and decision making. There are also a number of challenges around ensuring that the governance of economic development and planning takes place at the most appropriate spatial level; that councils are prepared to deal with changing economic circumstances, and; that the fundamental issues facing social housing are addressed in a way which ensures that the housing needs of the UK are addressed with a long term vision.
4 Projects
Efficiency, economic growth and development
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Infrastructure Funding[Jan 13, 2012 - Work in progress]The coalition has set itself two ambitious goals: eliminating the budgetary deficit by 2017, and driving £200bn worth of infrastructure investment by the end of the current parliament. It has substantially cut grant to local authorities whilst retaining financial control over certain areas of financ
How can we find the funding for infrastructure in 2012?[Jan 9, 2012 - Localis In The News]Councils may look to local asset backed vehicles to solve the problem of funding infrastructure in a downturn
Delivering infrastructure through a new public-private partnership[Dec 20, 2011 - Localis In The News]Richard Carr, Research Fellow, Localis discusses the Private Finance initiative (PFI) and how local authorities can deliver short-term growth without incurring long-term public debt.
LEPs to share £500m for infrastructure development[Nov 8, 2011 - Localis In The News]The government has today announced how it plans to share out a £500m funding pot for infrastructure projects that will encourage economic growth.
The Growing Places Fund will be made available to the 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships, which bring councils and businesses together to collaborate on ec
Localis welcomes Growing Places Fund prospectus[Nov 7, 2011 - Press Releases]Alex Thomson, Chief Executive of Localis, welcomes the Government's Growing Places Fund prospectus.
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Business urges more economic development powers for councils[Jan 16, 2012 - Mark Smulian, Local Government Chronicle]Business leaders have challenged local government’s commitment to investment and compared it poorly to civic leadership in the rest of Europe, LGA chair Sir Merrick Cockell has said.
Local Government Finance Bill promotes TIF and local business rate retention[Dec 19, 2011 - Michael Donnelly, Planning Magazine]A bill that will introduce an infrastructure funding mechanism that is intended to allow English local authorities to unlock stalled regeneration schemes will be launched today, communities secretary Eric Pickles has announced.
Boost for £500m transport projects[Dec 13, 2011 - Jim Pickard and Mark Odell, the Financial Times]More than 20 local transport projects with an overall value of £500m will receive fresh funding from the government as it tries to boost infrastructure spending, the Financial Times has learnt.
Balancing the different sectors of the economy
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Changing the system from 'command and control'[Mar 24, 2010 - Localis In The News]Last week saw the launch of the latest book from John Seddon’s stable, Systems Thinking in the Public Sector: Case studies delivering public services that work. It is a volume of case studies showing how local authorities using his ideas have made massive improvements in service in conjunction with
Meeting the Funding Challenge in Local Gov.[Mar 16, 2010 - Events]Host: City & Financial. Venue: Copthorne Tara Hotel London. Date: Tuesday 16th March. Tom Shakespeare of Localis speaking.
Total Place - Carpe diem![Mar 15, 2010 - Localis In The News]Total Place is a big opportunity to radically shake-up public services, but we face a missed opportunity if the Treasury cannot be persuaded soon that the radical option is a political reality.
Can social innovation be solved by big government?[Mar 9, 2010 - Localis In The News]James Morris discusses whether social innovation around issues such as housing, health and deprivation can be solved just by big central and local government?
Community ownership - watch this space[Mar 8, 2010 - Localis In The News]Recent thinking on co-operatives is about continued public service improvements, and a failure of the state – not just a rejection of ‘casino capitalism’. But there are still many challenges to overcome.
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25,000 jobs may go in councils[Mar 1, 2010 - BBC]At least 25,000 council jobs in England will be under threat in the next three to five years, a BBC survey suggests. The forecast is based on answers from 49 councils with a combined workforce of 256,000, suggesting cuts of 10%.
Libraries may shut in wave of cuts[Feb 9, 2010 - Daily Telegraph]The Government believes that the spread of the internet and other social changes may mean that councils should be free to close libraries. Libraries account for more expenditure than other cultural or sporting projects funded by local councils.
Savings which our residents want[Jan 8, 2010 - David Parsons, ConservativeHome]Cllr David Parsons, the Leader of Leicestershire County Council, explains how residents were involved in helping to make some tough choices on their budget
Reform of the social housing system
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Alex Thomson talks to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire[Dec 19, 2011 - Localis In The News]Localis’ Chief Executive, Alex Thomson took part in a debate on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire’s Shane O'Connor's Breakfast Show.
Seize the moment[Dec 13, 2011 - Localis In The News]We need to build more houses, a lot more. And the government’s housing strategy, with its panoply of policies, makes clear that they know it. But could it be another government policy that opens the door to local authorities playing a major part in house building?
Councillors doubt HRA reform will boost building[Dec 8, 2011 - Localis In The News]
Local authority leaders have questioned whether the dismantling of the housing revenue account subsidy system will allow councils to start building large numbers of homes.
A New Era for Council Housing?[Dec 7, 2011 - Publications - Policy Platform]Impending reforms to the Housing Revenue Account are set to give local authorities self-financing control over their housing stock, albeit at the cost of taking on additional debt. This Policy Platform outlines how the upcoming changes may help councils drive increased levels of house building, whe
Looking Forward to the General Election[Dec 23, 2009 - Localis In The News]A paper for the think tank Localis co-authored by Hammersmith & Fulham council leader Stephen Greenhalgh has made waves by calling for the wholesale deregulation of social housing
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Housing minister to 'get Britain building again'[Aug 31, 2011 - Helene Mulholland, The Guardian]The housing minister, Grant Shapps, has admitted that house prices in Britain have become "too unaffordable", following a report warning that the housing market is in crisis as home ownership falls and property prices soar.
But the minister insisted that government plans would get "Britain buildi
No more council houses for life, says David Cameron[Aug 5, 2010 - The Daily Telegraph]The Prime Minister said the Government may introduce “fixed period” tenancies to ensure new social housing tenants can be evicted if their circumstances improve.
The benefits of mutual housing[Jan 13, 2010 - The Guardian]Marginalised for years by home ownership and social landlords, co-op housing's advocates believe its time has come as the main political parties see its potential to promote community responsibility
Improving the system for planning and development
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Is the Localism Act a lawyers' charter?[Dec 23, 2011 - Localis In The News]A round table debate organised at think-tank Localis with Berwin Leighton Paisner discussed the question: is the Localism Act a lawyers' charter?
Roundtable: Is the Localism Act a lawyers’ charter?[Dec 13, 2011 - Events]Is the Localism Act a lawyers’ charter? (in association with BLP Managed Legal Service)
District Nurses[Nov 8, 2011 - Localis In The News]The communities that are piloting the government's flagship neighbourhood planning policy are getting stuck into their work. Colin Marrs reports on how three very different initiatives are progressing.
PluggedIN: Planning at neighbourhood level[Nov 8, 2011 - Localis In The News]Whilst national media coverage has focused on the National Planning Policy Framework, the local government community has due cause to cast its eyes to the lowest, rather than highest, rung of our future planning system.
Localism gives people the chance to make real changes[Oct 28, 2011 - Localis In The News]Planning is a Krakatoa policy. For years it lies dormant with only the barest murmur on the political seismograph, and then it erupts. And this summer it has certainly erupted - it cannot have escaped the attention of even the most cursory of newspaper readers that planning has been something of a p
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Government announces 14 community budget pilot schemes[Dec 22, 2011 - Dominic Browne, The MJ]The Government today announced the award of 14 'community budget' pilots for 2012 -ten more than the four originally planned – to give councils and communities greater powers to control their budgets and pool resources.
LEPs could get formal role in planning process[Dec 8, 2011 - Colin Marrs, Planning Magazine]Local enterprise partnerships covering the UK's eight core cities outside London could become statutory consultees on planning applications under a menu of options revealed today by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.
Business backs reforms to 'creaking' planning system[Sep 19, 2011 - Jonathan Werran, The MJ]A group of leading businessmen and industrialists has written to The Times blaming a 'creaking planning system' for deterring inward investment and stalling the ability of UK businesses seeking to expand.
