IHBC Chair Dave Chetwyn said of the proposed Bill: “We’re very hopeful about the key principles of the ‘localism’ agenda, given the way it can help people shape the management of their local historic environment, and conservation officers have a central role to play in that management, but there are also widespread concerns over the potential loss of the infrastructure for more strategic planning, with insufficient recognition of the role it has played in underpinning integrated planning across regions.”
Seán O’Reilly, IHBC Director, said: “There’s substantial evidence that confirms the role and value of local conservation services, and our forthcoming sector Yearbook features these services. Evidence from across cultural, planning and management sectors demonstrates clearly that that dedicated conservation professionals, working to local interests and aspirations within and on behalf of local authorities, can provide a unique and valuable resource for delivering the widest agendas of local government.”
CLG reports on the Queen’s Speech as follows: A Bill that would shift power from the state to local communities and empower local people forms part of the Queen’s Speech.
The Devolution and Localism Bill would set the foundations for the Big Society by shifting power from the central state back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles said: “This important Bill would shift power from the central state back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils. It will empower local people giving them more power over local government. It will free local government from central and regional control so that they can ensure services are delivered according to local needs.”
Some of the Coalition Agreement commitments would be legislated through the Localism Bill including:
– Returning decision-making powers on housing and planning to local councils by abolishing Regional Spatial Strategies;
– New powers for communities to help save local facilities and services threatened with closure, and the right to bid to take over local state-run services;
– Giving councils a general power of competence;
– Giving residents the power to instigate local referendums on any local issue and the power to veto excessive council tax increases;
– Greater financial autonomy to local government and community groups;
– Outright abolition of Home Improvement Packs;
– Create Local Enterprise Partnerships – joint local authority-business bodies to promote local economic development.
Greg Clark, Minister for Decentralisation, added: “This Bill would reverse years of creeping state control and return power to people, communities and councils. We have an optimistic vision that supports people to work in the interests of their communities, rather than telling them what to do. When you decentralise power you unlock creativity and dynamism that gets better results, better services and better value for money. The state alone is often too monolithic and clumsy to tackle our deepest social problems and we believe that the best ideas come from the ground up, not the top down.”
