Local Government Association’s Post

Does Devolution Risk Weakening Local Representation? 📈 Staffordshire's local government is currently at the heart of discussions about potential reorganisation into larger unitary authorities as part of wider devolution plans. The government has suggested that simplifying councils and transferring powers from Westminster could drive economic growth, but concerns have been raised about how this might impact local representation. Simon Tagg, leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, has raised concerns that larger councils could become less responsive to community needs and reduce the democratic influence of local residents. Meanwhile, the Staffordshire Leaders Board has expressed a willingness to collaborate on regional issues such as transport and economic growth, while rejecting the idea of an elected mayor. Can devolution deliver economic benefits while still maintaining strong local representation? #Devolution #EconomicGrowth

At least 39 councils want to be in the first tranche of new devolution discussions, which could result in 12 new mayors being elected next year. There are three areas where all the councils are already unitaries, meaning that a reorganisation programme in parallel with devolution won’t be required: Berkshire, Cheshire and South Midlands (Beds, Northants and Milton Keynes). Norfolk and Suffolk CCs are working together towards a mayor covering both county footprints. Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils, which were formed in 2023 from the former Cumbria County Council and six district councils, have expressed an interest in a mayoral strategic authority. Surrey CC is the only single council looking to reorganise and set up a strategic authority on the same footprint. However, with a population of 1.2 million, this falls below the 1.5 million expected for mayoral regions, meaning Surrey may need to engage with neighbouring authorities on other options over a larger footprint. https://lnkd.in/eHj9FkJJ

Clarity yes... and then... consistency... and less politicking... Local Government has a brilliant history of responding to change - what we need is clarity and political commitment. Then we can get on with it.

Opinion: How the Conservative's final planning changes stalled Labour's charge into planning and development Read our latest Opinion Insight, below, in which Viable Placemaking's Director, Adam Place, discusses how the December 2023 update to the NPPF impacted planning and housing delivery in England throughout 2024. https://lnkd.in/eMb9WJW5 #housing #politics #development #labour #NPPF #townplanning #planning #government #hbf

Socius Managing Director Barry Jessup has joined other industry leaders in giving their reactions to the plans outlined by Angela Rayner at UKREiiF yesterday. He believes the focus needs to be broader than new housing. “We support efforts to unlock development and delivery of affordable and high-quality housing, but for new towns to be economically sustainable they must be connected to cities and there must be an investment in infrastructure. “Mono-use places do not work and we need a mix of housing, workplaces, education and community amenities to ensure the long-term sustainability of places, and the positive social impact on communities.” Read the full article below - registration required. #development #future #newtowns #socialimpact #newhousing #sustainability #UKREiiF

ARL's Response to the General Election Outcome The Association for Rental Living (ARL) has issued a detailed response to the outcome of the recent General Election, highlighting its implications for the Build to Rent (BTR) sector. 📢 Key Points: - The ARL acknowledges the newly elected government's stance on housing and rental policies. - The statement emphasises the importance of continuing to advocate for the BTR sector and ensuring that the needs of renters and operators are addressed in upcoming legislative agendas. - Brendan Geraghty, CEO of the ARL, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to engaging with policymakers to support the growth and sustainability of the BTR sector. 📝 Read the full response: https://lnkd.in/dPWADqUa This comprehensive analysis covers the potential impact of new policies on the rental market and outlines ARL's strategic priorities moving forward. Stay informed and join us in navigating the future of rental living under the new government. #BTR #BuildToRent #RentalLiving #GeneralElection #Policy #ARL #HousingMarket #Advocacy

Important period for the BTR sector & ARL to position ourselves with new Government. Plenty of focus in recent days on immediacy of policy action and reestablished housing targets - the purpose-built rental sector has an important role to play in delivering 1000s of homes annually.

The industry has given qualified approval to plans outlined by shadow housing secretary Angela Rayner at UKREiiF that would put carefully-designed new towns at the heart of Labour’s housebuilding strategy should it win the general election. Rayner told the Leeds audience that The Labour Party would draw inspiration from successful garden suburbs such as Hale in Greater Manchester, Roundhay in Leeds and the Garden City developments to create a foundation for a New Town Code. The code calls on developers to deliver more social and affordable homes, with a gold standard of 40% per scheme. Landsec chief executive Mark Allan welcomed the plans. He said: “The measures put forward today by Labour appear to take into account the need for good design, access to nature and decent infrastructure, which we know are essential to developing with the consent of local communities.” However, Allan also raised concerns about how they would be implemented. “Any new regulation must be done in a way that doesn’t create an even more rigid planning framework than we face today,” he said. “It is also important that the introduction of new policy takes account of the realities of developing at scale. Density combined with good, flexible design will be key to unlocking value and delivering the growth, jobs and homes that the country needs.” Read more from EG’s Jim Larkin ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ezd5YAWT

It's great to see local government minister Jim McMahon hint of a stronger role for districts in combined authorities. He did this yesterday at the Local Government Association councillor forum. We’re hugely enthusiastic about working even more closely and productively with our county and unitary partners to support our places. Our uniquely localised expertise and our unrivalled ability to build relationships with business and communities in each of our cities, towns and villages can make a huge difference towards us meeting our shared goals. Together we can: 👯 Create jobs, 🏚 Increase housebuilding ⬆ Grow our economies ⚖ Lessen Inequality 😀 Increase wellbeing https://lnkd.in/egDNnJxN

While some suspect that party politics may have played a role in why the government removed a Conservative council in Hampshire from poor planning performance ‘special measures’, practitioners close to the authority say the key factor was a dramatically improved success rate driven by an up-to-date local plan and an extended pipeline of housing sites. #planning #planningperformance #specialmeasures #housing #localplan #strategicplanning #politics #partypolitics #localgovernment #LPA