The devil is in the (lack of) detail

Like every other Minister pouring over their departmental spending budgets, Grant Shapps has been keen to keep his cards close to his chest of late - and who can blame him.

As the Comprehensive Spending Review (and this Autumn's Localism Bill) draw ever closer, so does the dreaded fleshing out of government policy.

The process of soundbite-peppered branding begins to morph into a tangible legislative program, and it is upon this (not the all-to-easy rhetoric of 'fiscal responsbility', 'reconceptualisation' and 'unleashing entrepreneurail spirit') that the coalition will be judged.

During the brief period of limbo we now find ourselves in, a few policy details will be drip-fed through to demonstrate the government's ongoing reformist and progressive credetials.

Occassionally, however, details of this kind trickle through that might give you the impression that the policy had not been entirely thought through. Grant Shapps' announcement on Wednesday regarding Right to Build is one such detail.

The previous requirement of 90% in a local ballot to trigger automatic approval of a development was, in truth, a ridiculous figure if the policy was ever to achieve its desired aims - empowering communities, devolving responsibility and reducing bureaucracy in local government.

In this sense, the new 75% figure is a progressive move (if one agrees with the policy's premise in the first instance).

However, the emergence of 'Community Right to Build organisations' in the rhetoric presents another huge grey area - with the structure and remit of these organisations (and their relationship with the local planning authority) still anyone's guess.

Doubtless we will receive "further details after the CSR/Localism Bill" - and perhaps the policy will prove to be a grand success.

But, it is the lack of clarity and detail that has industry professionals tearing their hair out on these proposals - and thankfully, the waiting is almost over.

Ally Kennedy
Liberal Democrat Consultant

Which 'Jedward' to choose......???

"Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" said Mark Twain after a newspaper published an obituary of him.

The same could be said of the Labour Party, who continue to perform well in local by-elections.

They have just taken control of Exeter City Council, which is a fairly major coup, and held Norwich.

In the euphoria of the general election, it was easy to miss how well Labour did in the local elections of the same day - especially in London.

When one of the brothers Miliband succeeds their predeecessor as the party's new hope - their opponents will be genuinely wary of them, with good cause.

Whichever 'Jedward' act the public opts for in the end (whether it be Ed/David or David/Nick), the next few months should make for interesting reading.

Pushing incentives another rung down the ladder of localism

Interesting aside on the localism debate from Policy Exchange recently - the think-tank widely regarded as the epitomy of 'Cameron Conservatism' during the party's time in opposition and a key influencer on the no.10 policy unit.

The group has suggested residents in specific areas most affected by development should vote on project proposals, and be provided with cash incentives to persuade them to back development in their area.

The move's motivation has been publicised as preventing small and militant community minoirites effectively lobbying councils against development without legitimacy as representatives of the local view.

This, no one would argue with.

Whether local residents are best placed to weigh the strategic considerations of a council's vision against their interests as local residents fairly and objectively will remain a contentious issue.

Grant Shapps' silence on the matter suggests we will not see this being muted as a policy option in the Localism Bill - although it may resurface should localism's mantra fail to translate into effective and reasoned legislation by the end of the year.

PAN nominated Curtin and Co for rising star consultancy award

Public Affairs News (PAN) have announced the nomination of Curtin&Co under the category of "Rising Star Consultancy" at this years PAN Awards ceremony.

See further details on the nominees, categories, past winnners and the awards ceremony itself at:

www.publicaffairsnews.com/panawards

Featured Article: The Problem with Localism

Our consultants have been grappling with the implications of Localism for regeneration in the UK as well as the wider planning system.

You can view their thoughts in this weeks Regeneration & Renewal Magazine here:

www.regen.net/news/ByDiscipline/Policy/1024705/Opinion-problem-localism/


(if you are not a current subscriber to the magazine, type ''opinion problem localism'' into Google and click on the first link)