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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Budget Hints at Greater Local Autonomy, But the Detail is Still to Be Revealed[Jul 2, 2010 - Localis In The News]
Offload ‘non-vital’ services, sector told[Nov 9, 2009 - Localis In The News]Councils must privatise ‘non-vital’ local services – such as libraries and leisure centres – if they are to thrive beyond the fiscal tightening, a radical new report has suggested.
The future role of local government[Nov 2, 2009 - Localis News]Tom spoke on Monday 2nd November at the CIPFA Local Government Conference at Holiday Inn, Regents Street. His speech focussed on looking into the 'The future role of local government in strengthening local economies'
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council [Oct 2, 2009 - Toolkits]Introduced in June 2009, “Free After Three” allows shoppers in Rochdale and Middleton to be able to park for free in the town centre if they arrive after three on weekdays and Saturdays. The move is aimed at helping local retailers hit by the recession.
More for Your Money[Jun 23, 2009 - Publications]Some recommendations around the need to fundamentally reconnect local government investments with the creation of a civil society, a sustainable environment, and linked to these, a strong local economy.
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A 3 minute guide to 'easyCouncil'[Nov 7, 2009 - ConservativeHome]The BBC's Giles Dilnot talks to the leader of Barnet Council, Mike Freer, about a 'no frills' model of council services where the council provides every local resident a core set of services but where residents get a discount for not using certain services or pay extra for additional services.
Councils surpass efficiency targets[Sep 29, 2009 - Local Government Chronicle]Local government has surpassed its efficiency savings targets after recording £1.76bn worth of value for money savings for 2008-09, communities secretary John Denham has announced.
Local action is crucial to efficiency[Sep 25, 2009 - The Times]Total Place is a key plank in the Treasury’s strategy for increasing efficiency and realising significant savings across the public sector. Under the initiative, which is being piloted in 13 places in England, the flow of public spending in a local area is calculated and mapped in an effort to identify overlaps and duplications where savings can be made.
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 dramatic reductions in costs.
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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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
HCA plans to recycle housing cash[Dec 21, 2009 - Localis In The News]England's regeneration agency has unveiled a set of proposals that would enable it to reinvest returns from its funding of affordable housing back into the delivery of further social housing
Should lottery winners have subsidised rent?[Nov 12, 2009 - Localis In The News]If you are a Council tenant and win the Lottery, what happens? Regeneration expert John Moss says a return to meaningful incentives to buy could generate £75 billion to spend on new housing.
Housing benefit reform[Sep 16, 2009 - Localis In The News]Housing benefit reform may be too complex for this government but its likely Conservative successors will have no shortage of options if they take power next year.
Tinkering won't fix the broken social housing system[Jun 29, 2009 - Localis In The News]The whole system of social housing is failing. The system means that housing allocation is politicised rather than left to the market and resentment is easy to foster.
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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
33-year wait for a council house[Dec 2, 2009 - Daily Mirror]It will take 33 years to clear the council house waiting list in some parts of London, figures revealed yesterday.A study found 1.8million are currently waiting for accommodation, but last year only 27,000 properties were let to new tenants. Housing charity Shelter said Barnet in London had the longest list.
Improving the system for planning and development
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Accountable Planning[May 21, 2010 - Publications - Policy Platform]In this edition of Policy Platform we consider what a more localised planning system should look like, and how community engagement can benefit future development.
Urban Regeneration Roundtable[Mar 18, 2008 - Events]Dr. Leunig will present the results of the second part of his acclaimed three-part series of Localis and Policy Exchange publications on urban regeneration, Local problems, Global lessons: Evaluating International Urban Policy.
Cities Limited[Aug 1, 2007 - Publications]There are countless programmes, schemes and policies in place which are meant to help our cities regenerate. Yet, despite all of them and despite huge amounts of money spent on urban policy, success is difficult to measure.
Better Homes, Greener Cities[Feb 10, 2006 - Publications]A Policy Exchange report into the problems with the housing system in the UK. Sponsored by Localis in collaboration with the LGA, Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation.
Bigger, Better, Faster, More[Jun 4, 2005 - Publications]Why some countries plan better than others
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Cash incentives for localised planning[Feb 22, 2010 - Local Government Chronicle]The Conservatives have said they would sweep away the present planning system and replace it with one based on financial rewards for localities that accept new development.
Camden introduces ‘naked’ street[Nov 27, 2009 - The Times]Camden has long considered itself at the cutting edge of fashion and popular culture but now it is claiming another first. A 380-metre stretch of its High Street in North London is to become the city’s only “naked” street.
Consultation: Community Infrastructure Levy[Jul 31, 2009 - DCLG]This consultation seeks views from consultees on the Government's detailed proposals for the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), including draft regulations.
