Second reading of Localism Bill, now have your say

The Bill passed with a vote and will now be considered by a Public Bill Committee. Watch and read the views expressed by MPs who took part in the debate.

• Video and Audio: Localism Bill, second reading
• Commons Hansard: Localism Bill
• Bills before Parliament 2010-11: Localism Bill
• About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
• Topics: Local government

Have your say

The Bill has now been sent to a Public Bill Committee for scrutiny and there is a call for written evidence.

Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Government’s Localism Bill?

If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill. 

Guidance for submitting written evidence

• How to submit written evidence to the Public Bill Committee

Summary of this Bill

The Localism Bill will devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and give local communities more control over housing and planning decisions.

Key areas of the Bill

• Provisions in relation to local government, including a general power of competence for local authorities and relevant Fire and Rescue Authorities, changes to local authority governance arrangements  including provision for directly elected mayors, the abolition of the Standards Board regime, and requirements for  local authorities to set senior pay policy statements.
• Provisions  relating to community empowerment, including  giving people, councillors and councils the power to instigate local referendums on any local issue and a power to approve or veto in a referendum a council tax increase deemed to be excessive, and enabling voluntary and community bodies and others to express an interest in running a local authority service, and local community groups to bid or buy buildings or land which are listed as assets of community value.
• Reform of the planning system; including provisions to abolish regional strategies, provide for neighbourhood development orders and plans, make pre-application consultation compulsory, and make changes to planning enforcement.
• Provisions to reform social housing including measures to offer flexible tenancies for new social tenants; create a new system of council housing finance; provide assistance for tenants to exchange their social rented property; and transfer the functions of the Tenant Service Authority to the Homes and Communities Agency.
• Abolition of the Home Information Pack.
• Provisions for London that provide the Mayor with additional powers relating to housing and regeneration.
• Abolition of the London Development Agency.