News
Plain English guide to the Localism Bill published
1 Feb 2011
The Coalition Government’s Localism Bill aims to return power to councils and communities, moving it away from central government. A plain English guide has been released to ensure the general public and community groups can understand the effects of the Bill.
Reforms within the Bill include:
- Voluntary groups, social enterprises, parish councils and others will be able to express an interest in taking over council-run services.
- People will be able to trigger referendums on any local issue.
- Parish councils and “neighbourhood forums” will be given powers to come together to debate local development, such as deciding where new shops, offices or homes should go and what green spaces to protect.
- Changes to social housing, including measures to allow councils to decide who goes on their housing waiting lists.
Read the BBC’s coverage here.
Download the plain English guide to the Localism Bill here.
