Each central government department in England has devised a departmental plan, detailing work proposed from now until 2020.
We have summarised a range of issues mentioned within the plans which are likely to be of the most interest to IHBC members.
DCLG commitments include:
- Four objectives of:
- Driving up housing supply
- Increasing home ownership
- Devolving powers and budgets to boost local growth in England
- Supporting strong communities with excellent public services
- create a Brownfield Fund to unlock homes on brownfield land
- introduce new flexibilities that encourage local authorities to dispose of surplus assets and invest in services –
- fund the establishment of up to 100 pocket parks in deprived urban areas
- set up a Pub Loan Fund to help local people take control of pubs at risk of closure
DCMS plan includes commitments to:
- Spreading the benefits of our thriving tourism and heritage industries right across the country
- Keeping our major national museums and galleries free
- Attracting and retaining talent in the tourism industry
- Making sure apprenticeships work for the seasonal tourism industry
- Promoting the UK’s heritage and historic environment
- Working with the arts and culture sectors to emphasise the benefits of participation for all
- Supporting our world-class museums and galleries, exploring the case for introducing new tax reliefs
- Promoting an understanding of and access to the historic environment so that all people can appreciate and enjoy heritage assets
- Supporting arts and culture with funding through the Arts Council and BFI
- Articulating the benefits of access and participation, including through working with other government departments and partners
- Set challenging targets for VisitBritain and VisitEngland to ensure more visitors travel outside the capital
DEFRA’s plan includes commitments to:
- protect the Green Belt (working with the lead Department, DCLG), and maintain national protections for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental designations
- promote rural policy across government and give a strong voice to countryside issues
- Enterprise Zones in rural areas (DCLG lead)
- better regulation and improved planning for rural businesses (DCLG lead)
- more housing (DCLG lead)
The Cabinet Office writes:
Each central government department has published their plan for how they will deliver the government’s priorities and manifesto commitments.
All 17 central departments have published detailed plans setting out how they will deliver the government’s priorities and manifesto commitments over this Parliament.
Launched recently (Friday), each single departmental plan brings together efficiency, spending review and activity plans into a single, clear road map for the first time. The plans will provide a new way of monitoring performance against department objectives and improve financial management across government.
Available on GOV.UK, the plans form a new framework to monitor and hold departments to account. For the first time, the public will be able to track a department’s progress against its objectives using a set of indicators and view updates on a wide range of government work including education, housing and employment, all of which have a major impact on the everyday lives of working families.
Each department has developed their own plan which sets out key objectives and how they will deliver these with the resources they have been allocated at the Spending Review. The plans include indicators to show progress towards achieving each objective. Each department will update their plan with new data, as this becomes available, or provide narrative updates on performance where more appropriate. They also include links to more detailed published data sources.
The formulation of single departmental plans has been led by John Manzoni, Chief Executive of the Civil Service, as a way of business planning for each department, identifying clear commitments, driving efficiency and detailing how they will be delivered. The plans reflect government’s priorities and outlines in detail how the department will become more efficient and further improve the effectiveness of services, including use of office space and digitising of services, cementing the government’s position as a digital leader.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Letwin said: Single departmental plans will enable the public to see how government is delivering on its commitments, many of which will have a major impact on the everyday lives of people across the UK.
All 17 plans have been agreed between departments and the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, which will allow the government to drive more effective implementation of its programmes and policies, track on-the-ground impact, and get the best results for the British public.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt Hancock said: These plans are an important step in our commitment to being the most transparent government ever. They are a valuable and vital tool for the Cabinet Office to use and providing challenge, support and expertise to each department, ensuring we are delivering an effective and efficiently run government. We will hold departments to account to ensure we are delivering the promises we have made to the public, providing better services and delivering value for money for all.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands said: At the Spending Review, we set out how the government will deliver on its priorities, to eliminate the deficit, and deliver economic security and opportunity for working people. Whilst we’ve already made significant progress in strengthening financial management across government, the introduction of the single departmental plans is the next step to ensuring departments deliver the government’s priorities.
The plans will not only increase transparency and accountability, but by focusing resources where they are needed the most, we will ultimately be able to guarantee greater value for money for taxpayers.
View the news release
View the DCLG plan
View the DCMS plan
View the DEFRA plan
View other departmental plans
