Briefings and responses

There are a number of changes to the draft revised NPPF and accompanying draft national planning practice guidance that are welcome and well-intentioned. However through discussions with councils, including at our consultation events, it has become clear that there are a number of key concerns shared by the sector.

"We consider that there is an urgent need to consolidate the CIL regulations into a single updated version to reflect the numerous changes made since its introduction."

Over the past year, councils have conducted all of their council business virtually due to pandemic. Councils have reported that virtual meetings have allowed for critical decision to be made democratically and without delay during this period of emergency.

The consultation document rightly acknowledges that the SEND is the subject of significant reform via the SEND Green paper and establishment of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), but we are concerned that it does not acknowledge the reasons why system reform is needed.

07 November 2023

We are not commenting on any feature other than the use of the FSO in relation to multi-occupancy high-rise buildings. Our responses contained below.

We note that the consultation states that the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement will be published in December 2019. We would urge the Government to publish the provisional settlement as soon as possible after 12 December and no later than Parliament rising for the Christmas recess.

The Government’s industrial strategy provides a critical opportunity to drive the creation of a successful, world-leading economy and the LGA welcomes the Government’s ambition to drive growth and tackle the economic imbalances in different parts of the country.

The LGA does not support the proposal to include major shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime. This will bypass the locally democratic planning system.

It has been clear for a long time that local audit is in crisis. The causes are multi-faceted and complex. We have been pressing the Government to set a firm timetable by which timely audits will be restored.