briefing transforming places changing lives 2009 06

URBAN FORUM 2009

In July 2008, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published their draft Framework for Regeneration known as ‘transforming places; changing lives'. Following a consultation period this document sets out how the government is taking forward the delivery of a new national framework to shape the way that regeneration is carried out in England.

 handy guide to laas 2009 07

1-9 copies £4.95 each

©Urban Forum 2009

ISBN 978-0-9551421-6-1

Local Area Agreements, or LAAs, are now a central part of the design and delivery of public services in all local areas. LAAs are the action plan for priorities and improvements that will be made in an area in the future. With LAAs being such an important part of local public service delivery, it is essential that voluntary and community groups understand and engage with them. This Handy Guide explains everything you need to know about LAAs - what they are, how they work and how you can influence them.

 10 things you need to know about Community Reinvestment_2009_06

© Urban Forum 2008

Urban Forum has been developing ideas to change the banking system to make it more ‘people centred' in light of the recent crisis and subsequent bail-out of banks. Urban Forum believes that things must change and that fundamental reforms of the banking system are needed urgently.

Here are 10 things that you need to know....

 the killian pretty review planning applications faster and more responsive system 2009 06

URBAN FORUM
2009

The Killian Pretty Review published in November 2008 details 17 recommendations for improving the planning application process. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has recently published a "Government Response to the Killian Pretty Review", which comments on the Review and outlines a broad action plan to implement the recommendations. While the original Review and subsequent government response are primarily concerned with the planning application process in detail, a number of issues relating to consultation and community engagement within this process have been raised. This briefing note deals primarily with these issues.

 what is the community infrastructure levy cil 2009 06

URBAN FORUM 2009

The powers for levying the CIL were brought forward in the 2008 Planning Act and are now before parliament. The legislation will allow local authorities in England and Wales to charge a levy on most types of new development in their area. CIL charges will be based on simple formulae which relate the cost of the charge to the size and character of the development. The proceeds of the levy will be spent on local and sub-regional infrastructure to support the development of the local area, and may be pooled across local authority areas to fund cross-borough or regional projects.

 working together white paper briefing 2009 06

URBAN FORUM 2009

Government's latest White Paper ‘Working together; Public services on your side' outlines broad plans for public service reform. It follows the 2008 publication of ‘Excellence and fairness' White Paper, which sets out the Government's overall approach to public services reform over the next years. But ‘Working together' seeks to bring forward £3 billion of planned capital expenditure into the next two years. The Government wants to start further public service reform by giving local people, communities and public service staff both the information and effective power needed to improve and personalise public services. The Government hopes to move towards a richer, fairer and safer society by creating public services which better reflect local and individual needs. ‘Working together' continues the principles set out in ‘Excellence and fairness' White Paper of ‘citizen empowerment', ‘a new professionalism', and ‘strategic leadership' and shows how these three principles will be broadly translated into practice over the coming years.