The Localism Act is an important issue for SEEC members as local authorities.

SEEC members strongly support the principle of localism and devolving responsibility and delivery of services. Our members believe that communities are best served when elected and acountable local government is entrusted with powers, freedoms and flexibilities to respond to their needs effectively and efficiently.

Members support proposals such as a general power of competence for local authorities, the ability to grant business rate discounts and the abolition of regional planning. However during progress of the Bill, members briefed decision makers about three areas that could hinder effective and accountable localism and where changes were needed to the Bill:

• remove unnecessary local referendums
• simplify neighbourhood planning
• reduce bureaucracy and central control for local government.

SEEC's 2 page briefing on the Localism Bill outlines members' views on positive and negative aspects of the legislation.

SEEC has also produced a Localism Bill summary

 
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

SEEC welcomes the Government's aims of removing unnecessary bureaucracy and reducing top-down control in the planning system.  We also support the need for effective sustainable development, to ensure economic, social and environmental needs are met.  Read SEEC's summary briefing of the final NPPF published in March 2012. The final NPPF includes changes that reflect the views of SEEC members in a number of key areas.

SEEC's response to the Government's consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework set out where further work was needed to address members' concerns.  Key changes were needed to address potential uncertainty and conflict between different parties involved in planning.  The principle of democratically-accountable localism also needed to be given greater prominance throughout the NPPF - local government can provide leadership and skills to ensure the planning system delivers sustainable development, but only if given effective freedoms, powers and resources.