Publications Publications
We produce a wide range of publications from research reports to policy briefings, as well as our members' magazine, Clearway, and a monthly Policy Round-Up. Our Handy Guides provide practical information covering topics such as LSPs, Planning and local government. All our publications are designed to provide accessible and relevant information to help you get to the heart of what matters.
Don't know your Handy Guide from your Briefing? Read our explanation of what our different publications are.
With today's long-anticipated announcement that the general election will be on 6th May, the phoney-war is over and real electioneering can commence.
For the next month, prospective MPs (backed-up by their Party machines) will be trying to convince us why we should vote for them. With the opinion polls narrowing over recent weeks and apparent differences in policy opening up between the Parties (at least on reducing the budget deficit) this could prove to be one of the most open elections for a generation.
Six months ago, the polls suggested Labour was dead and buried and the Conservatives were heading for a sizeable Parliamentary majority. But as we near the election, the gap has narrowed and all the chatter has been about the prospect of a hung parliament. Clearly, the chance to play ‘power broker' offers Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems much to gain from such a situation, but they also need to be very careful not to undermine their position or to play their hand too soon. At their Spring Conference, Clegg said he was not ‘the kingmaker', but also said that he would not back early cuts to public spending, whilst also praising Thatcher's attack on the Trades Unions. Confused thinking or political pragmatism? To actively campaign for a hung parliament would be electorally disastrous for the Lib Dems, so they'll carry on trying to present a coherent set of policies whilst knowing a hung parliament offers their best prospect of exerting influence.
The New Local Government Network has said that Total Place is being undermined by a lack of joining up across Whitehall. Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Total Place and the future shape of public services calls for a new 'Department for Devolved Government' to be established to devolve freedom to local authorities.
Greater than the sum of its parts: Total place and the future shape of public services
Communities and Local Government have published guidance on the Duty to Respond to Petitions, which will come into effect on 15th June 2010. The Duty, part of the Local Democracy, Economic Construction and Development Act 2009, requires councils to respond to petitions from local people. The guidance follows a consultation on proposals conducted earlier in the year.
The Public Services 2020 Trust have published a new report Delivering a Localist Future: A route-map for change, calling for new freedoms for local authorities. They argue that localism is the only way to manage public spending cuts and to strengthen accountability.
Communities and Local Government have announced the first ten proposals from local areas to be approved under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, from over 300 submitted. Local authorities will now be able to take forward measures to strengthen local communities ranging from giving communities the right to buy disused buildings, to enabling gardeners to sell their surplus produce.
