BCSC calls for greater clarity on Localism
Published: 10 June, 2011
BCSC has welcomed calls for greater clarity and consistency from the coalition about which tier of government will be held accountable for decision-making in an era of Localism.
This comes as the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee publishes its report on Localism.
Since the publication of the Localism Bill last year, BCSC has been actively engaging with all levels of government to ensure that the coalition’s flagship legislation does not undermine the industry’s efforts to facilitate private sector growth.
With the retail property development pipeline at its lowest ebb since 1994, the industry body remains concerned that there still exists a great deal of uncertainty around the Localism agenda which could hinder the effectiveness of the legislation in enabling regeneration in towns and city-centres across the country.
BCSC’s executive director, Edward Cooke said: “We were pleased to give evidence to the CLG Select Committee Inquiry into Localism, and we support its recommendations to government.
“In our own representations to Committee MPs we emphasised the need for much greater clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of the different tiers of government - particularly new structures such as LEPs and Neighbourhood Forums - and we are pleased to see that the Committee has taken our concerns on board.
“We hope that the publication of this report will prompt government to provide our industry with some certainty as to which level of governance will hold decision making powers under Localism, and therefore how we can effectively engage with the correct bodies in order to deliver much-needed investment in town centres up and down the UK.”
BCSC submitted its recommendations to the Localism Bill Committee in February of this year during the bill’s passage through the House of Commons, and has also made representations to the House of Lords.
BCSC’s Localism submission can be viewed at: www.bcsc.org.uk/policy
