The Localism Bill is a lengthy document dealing with a range of measures and 'A plain English Guide to the Localism Bill' was published by the Department of Communities and Local Government in January 2011. On page 6, there is an interesting section entitled:

"Clarifying the rules on predetermination

.......... the Government intends to use the Localism Bill to clarify the rules on “predetermination.” These rules were developed to ensure that councillors came to council discussions – on, for example, planning applications – with an open mind. In practice, however, these rules have been interpreted in such a way as to reduce the quality of local debate and stifle valid discussion. In some cases councillors have been warned off doing such things as campaigning, talking with constituents, or publicly expressing views on local issues, for fear of being accused of bias or facing legal challenge.

The Localism Bill will make it clear that it is proper for councillors to play an active part in local discussions, and that they should not be liable to legal challenge as a result. This will help them better represent their constituents and enrich local democratic debate. People can elect their councillor confident in the knowledge that they will be able to act on the issues they care about and have campaigned on. "

The ARGonaut believes that many ARG supporters will be delighted to learn that this clarification is intended for inclusion in the forthcoming bill!!

The FT article explains that the bill is said to be about "decentralising power as far as possible", "meeting people's housing aspirations", "putting communities in charge of planning", "increasing accountability" and "letting people see how their money is spent".

A key feature of the bill is that if an area does not have a parish council, then any "neighbourhood forum" - such as a town society or conservation group - can apply to its local authority to become a "qualifying body". The forum must have been formally established for the purpose of "furthering the social, economic and environmental well-being of individuals living, or wanting to live, in the area", must have open membership and at least 21 members living in the area.

It also seems that the bill will be concerned with the protection of community assets, including, for example, an asset such as a sports facility, and this would certainly find a resonance with ARG supporters!

Without having to start from scratch, it seems possible that the Anstey Residents Group might well be able to morph into a "neighbourhood forum" under the act. Indeed, this might well require little more than the incorporation of "neighbourhood forum" into the ARG name, together with a formalisation of the ARG membership.

Of course, such a step would require the most careful consideration and deliberation of all the pros and cons involved. But what seems vitally important is that such consideration and deliberation is started now or very shortly and in advance of the bill becoming law.  In many ways, it would seem that the localism bill has been initiated for the benefit of concerned residents groups, such as ARG, and the possible advantages from the bill that might accrue to ARG should not be allowed to be lost by inactivity or disinterest.

Please express your views on the localism bill on the 'Have Your Say' page, particularly if you have any additional information about the bill which you may have learned from other press articles or TV/radio programmes.