The much vaunted Localism Bill purporting to renew local democracy runs to 430 pages and 215 clauses,with 111 pages of explanatory notes. It weighs 2lbs 10 ozs, and the impact assessment weighs 8lbs 13ozs. It contains around 145 new powers for the Secretary of State and contains such prescriptive duties as the compulsory [...]

Liverpool City Council is one of the founder members of the Co-operative Councils Network just launched by Ed Miliband in Rochdale Town Hall. The Network is a group of like-minded Labour Councils who want to progress the principles of mutualism and cooperation in our local areas.

The savage cuts being imposed on [...]

The Localism Bill contains a range of measures and initiatives that will impact significantly on planning, housing and economic development across the country. Indeed, at a recent Future of London seminar, a Department of Communities and Local Government official was clear that in his view, the Localism Agenda represents “…a significant statement of intent [...]

The recent ProgLoc articles by Graham Allen MP and by Sam Elliot made interesting reading.

As a Councillor, I will be happy to help my community take up opportunities within the Localism Bill – not least, the possibility of neighbourhood plans approved by a local referendum becoming part of the statutory planning framework.

But we [...]

To date, the move to relocalise the Business Rates has been met by many with enthusiasm but worryingly without fully understanding the real potential consequences that may be delivered.

However, as the Government’s proposals become somewhat clearer that initial enthusiasm is becoming for many a nervousness around what the impact will be across [...]