A plain English guide to the Localism Act Department for Communities and Local Government Contents Forword About this guide So when can we use the rights in the Act? New freedoms and flexibility for local government General power of competence Abolition of the Standards Board Clarifying the rules on predetermination Greater local control over business rates Directly elected mayors London Empowering cities and other local areas Other freedoms for councils New rights and powers for communities Community right to challenge Community right to bid (assets of community value) Right to approve or veto excessive council tax rises Transparency over senior council officials’ pay Getting rid of fines and charges for rubbish collection Reform to make the planning system clearer, more democratic and more effective Abolition of regional strategies Duty to cooperate Neighbourhood planning Community right to build Requirement to consult communities before submitting certain planning applications Strengthening enforcement rules Reforming the community infrastructure levy Reform the way local plans are made Nationally significant infrastructure projects Reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally Social housing allocations reform Social housing tenure reform Reform of homelessness legislation Reform of council housing finance National home swap scheme Reform of social housing regulation Abolition of Home Information Packs The overall effect of the Act New freedoms and flexibilities for local government New rights and powers for local communities Reform to make the planning system clearer, more democratic and more effective Reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally Click below to download copies of the Localism Act A plain English guide to the Localism Act Localism Act full version (497 pages) Explanation notes Correction sheet RETURN TO THE TOP Department for Communities and Local Government Eland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5DU Telephone: 030 3444 0000 Website: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government ©Crown Copyright, 2011 Copyright in the typographical arrangement rests with the Crown. This publication, excluding logos, may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium for research, private study or for internal circulation within an organisation. This is subject to it being reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and the title of the publication specified. ISBN: 978 1 4098 3225-6