Local Democracy

Long title

To make provision for the purposes of promoting public involvement in relation to local authorities and other public authorities; to make provision about bodies representing the interests of tenants; to make provision about the procedures of local authorities and the audit of entities connected with them; to establish the Boundary Committee for England and to make provision relating to local government boundary and electoral change; to make provision about local and regional development; to amend the law relating to construction contracts; and for connected purposes.

Summary

<p>The Bill seeks to create greater opportunities for community and individual involvement in local decision-making. It also provides for greater involvement of local authorities in local and regional economic development.</p><p><strong>Key areas:</strong></p><ul><li>Provisions to secure greater involvement of people in the workings and decision-making processes of local public authorities</li><li>provisions to ensure that councils respond to petitions and can consider other matters raised by citizens in their area</li><li>a new duty for local authorities to assess economic conditions; a joint duty on regional development agencies and local authorities to produce a single regional strategy; and powers for councils to co-operate in promoting economic development.</li></ul>Additional provisions in the Bill include: <ul><li>establishing a new body to represent the interests of housing tenants in England at national level </li><li>new powers for audit authorities to appoint auditors to, and to produce public interest reports on, entities connected with local authorities</li><li>making the Boundary Committee for England a separate body from the Electoral Commission </li><li>improving the operation of construction contracts particularly as regards cash flow and adjudication. </li></ul><p> </p>

Progress through Parliament

1. 1st reading· Lords

   4 December 2008 – 4 December 2008

2. 2nd reading· Lords

   17 December 2008 – 17 December 2008

3. Committee stage· Lords

   19 January 2009 – 3 March 2009

4. Report stage· Lords

   17 March 2009 – 22 April 2009

5. 3rd reading· Lords

   29 April 2009 – 29 April 2009

6. 1st reading· Commons

   30 April 2009 – 30 April 2009

7. 2nd reading· Commons

   1 June 2009 – 1 June 2009

8. Programme motion· Commons

   1 June 2009 – 1 June 2009

9. Money resolution· Commons

   1 June 2009 – 1 June 2009

10. Committee stage· Commons

    9 June 2009 – 18 June 2009

11. Report stage· Commons

    13 October 2009 – 13 October 2009

12. 3rd reading· Commons

    13 October 2009 – 13 October 2009

13. Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons· Lords

    9 November 2009 – 9 November 2009

14. Consideration of Lords amendments· Commons

    12 November 2009 – 12 November 2009

15. Royal Assent· Unassigned

    12 November 2009 – 12 November 2009