Lost opportunity

Almost a year after the Localism Act gave communities the chance to bid for a range of new powers, from developing housing to running local services, the response across the region has been pitiful, according to the charities group, Yorkshire and Humber Rural Network.

It therefore seems that, following the woeful lack of publicity over the mayoral referendums and the elections for police commissioners – and the subsequent display of public bewilderment – another key part of the Government’s localism agenda is in danger of withering on the vine.

And although part of the reason for this, according to the charities’ research, is lack of public knowledge about the opportunities on offer, those voluntary groups who have sought to bid have too often found the legislation unworkable.

Considering that localism is also being actively undermined by the Government’s own planning reforms, which
 are riding roughshod over local objections to rural housing development, 
even in Green Belt areas – as the Campaign to Protect Rural England points out today – it is not unfair to conclude that the entire policy is riddled with confusion and contradiction.

Unless the Government mounts a proper programme of information and support, therefore, the chance of a major shift in power to local communities will be lost forever.