Issue - meetings

RESOLVED – that (A) the progress to date against some of the proposals contained in the Localism Bill, be noted; and

(B)     the Scrutiny Committees be invited to consider including aspects of the Bill in their work programmes as it progresses through Parliament.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report on key proposals in the Localism Bill and how the Council was responding to the proposed changes.

It was reported that the Bill was still being debated and had not passed into legislation.  The Bill proposed to devolve a range of powers and freedoms to local government and communities.  It proposed to overhaul the planning system and underpin the creation of the “Big Society”.

Details of the key proposals were given together with the six essential actions needed for decentralisation.  The Council had taken a number of steps in respect of these issues and the Leader outlined some of these at the meeting.

Firstly, following abolition of the National Performance Indicator set, the Council had reviewed its performance indicators.  This was to deliver priorities and account to residents for its performance.  Hot Performance indicators appeared on the website linked to residents’ concerns and interests.

In addition, the Community and Public Engagement Task and Finish Group had been set up to review giving local people and communities a bigger say in services.

Flexible housing options and a house swap scheme were already offered in East Herts. 

The Local Development Framework would continue.  As regards, planning enforcement, a proposed non-key decision would devolve powers on fly posting to Town Councils.

Finally, webcasting at Council and Development Control Committee had been introduced to increase transparency of government and could be expanded after the elections in May.  New ways of communicating and consulting with the public were being investigated e.g. Twitter, MySpace.

Members commented that the final legislation might contain some changes from the current proposals.  They thought that the management of public expectations arising from the legislation would be a challenge.

The Executive decided to note the report and ask Scrutiny to look at appropriate issues arising from the Bill in the future.

RESOLVED – that (A) the progress to date against some of the proposals contained in the Localism Bill, be noted; and

(B)      the Scrutiny Committees be invited to consider including aspects of the Bill in their work programmes as it progresses through Parliament.