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
- Click to view
What does efficiency mean?[Sep 22, 2011 - Localis In The News]What do we mean by efficiency? It seems like a straightforward question, but as we found at a recent Localis and Capita Symonds roundtable discussion, the answer is not as obvious as one might think.
Discussion Note - Is Efficiency Enough?[Aug 31, 2011 - Publications - Discussion Note]Localis, in partnership with Capita Symonds hosted a policy roundtable at this year's LGA conference entitled 'Is efficiency enough? Or is a more fundamental rethink needed?
75% Of Council FDs Looking To Implement Shared Services Or Outsource[Dec 10, 2010 - Localis In The News]75% of Council financial heads are exploring options to merge services with other local authorities or outsource service delivery to external organisations, according to a survey of local governmnent Finance Directors conducted by Localis, the localism thinktank.
Scale of local government cuts took FDs by surprise[Dec 10, 2010 - Localis In The News]The severity of local government cuts announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review came as a shock to half of council finance directors, while almost all have denounced the front-loading, a survey shows.
Facing the Future[Dec 10, 2010 - Publications]A new report and survey by Localis says that councils will have to deliver better services for less money, and that a salami-slicing, business as usual approach will not suffice. Councils must think radically about how they support and empower their residents and introduce new service delivery model
- Click to view
Budget 2011: Osborne announces 21 enterprise zones[Mar 23, 2011 - Mark Conrad, The MJ]Twenty-one new enterprise zones - with significant planning, tax and business rate powers - will be established to help kick-start sub-national economic growth, chancellor George Osborne’s Budget has revealed.
Eleven urban enterprise zones[Mar 23, 2011 - Allister Hayman, Local Government Chronicle]Eleven urban areas around the country, including London, have been named as enterprise zones with a further ten to be created following a competitive bidding process, the chancellor has announced.
London boroughs to share a chief[Sep 9, 2010 - Local Government Chronicle]Islington and Camden LBCs are set to become the first upper-tier councils to share a chief executive.
Balancing the different sectors of the economy
- Click to view
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.
- Click to view
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
- Click to view
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.
- Click to view
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
- Click to view
Neighbourhood planning 'is not for Nimbys'[Oct 6, 2011 - Localis In The News]In a report published today, Localis argues that neighbourhood plans could deliver a more positive attitude to planning from all involved. It says local authorities must act as ‘honest brokers’ between developers and residents and provide an overarching strategic vision for growth.
Neighbourhood planning scheme 'could provide benefits'[Oct 6, 2011 - Localis In The News]A new thinktank report has highlighted the potential benefits offered by proposed neighbourhood planning schemes, as long as they are correctly managed. Localis has published analysis of stipulations in the Localism Bill that would allow neighbourhoods to have more of a say about developments in the
Power to the People[Sep 30, 2011 - Publications]Localis, in association with Birmingham City Council, LandSecurities and Quod have published a report on the future of neighbourhood planning and how it can deliver growth.
Localis at CIH Conference[Jun 23, 2011 - Events]Localis hosted a panel event entitled Power to the People: Helping Neighbourhood Planning to Deliver Growth at the Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Harrogate, which presented a variety of viewpoints on the Localism Bill’s neighbourhood planning provisions.
Ongoing research: Neighbourhood planning[Apr 13, 2011 - Work in progress]Localis is shortly to begin a report in conjunction with Birmingham City Council, Land Securities plc and RICS designed to be a helpful contribution to the development of the Government's plans for neighbourhood planning – and will be aimed both at central government and local planning authorities (
- Click to view
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.
Clark rejects claims of ‘cosying’ to developers[Sep 14, 2011 - Mark Conrad, The MJ]Planning minister Greg Clark has dismissed suggestions ministers enjoy a cosy relationship with the property industry following allegations he urged developers to lobby Number 10 with support for his decentralised reforms.
Osborne wades into planning row[Sep 6, 2011 - James Illman, LGC]George Osborne has robustly defended the coalition’s planning reforms and warned critics that no one should underestimate ministers’ determination to drive through the proposals.
Writing in the Financial Times, the chancellor dismisses claims by opponents that the reforms will put the countrysi
