Research Briefing
Referendums have become an established mechanism for validating constitutional initiatives in the UK. The possibility of using an appropriate minimum turnout, or a special majority to ensure that the outcome of such a poll is seen as legitimate is sometimes raised. This note looks at the debate in the UK so far and briefly looks at the use of referendum thresholds in states outside the UK.
Research Briefing
This article provides statistics on the 2011/12 New Homes Bonus scheme grants. Approximately £200m has been allocated to local authorities through the scheme in its first year.
Research Briefing
This paper covers the Commons Committee Stage of the Bill, and complements Research Papers 11/02 and 11/03, prepared for Second Reading. The Bill covers a wide range of topics in local government, planning, housing and the governance of London. It was not substantially amended in Committee, although there were some minor technical Government amendments. However, at several points, Ministers agreed to look again at certain issues and consider whether to introduce amendments at Report Stage.
Research Briefing
This note contains key statistics on council tax levels in 2011/12 and a limited amount of analysis is provided. The main purpose of this note is to act as a reference document although more detailed analysis is available on request.
Research Briefing
Central government will provide approximately £73bn in grants to local authorities in England in 2011/12. This funding is made up of the formula grant, comprised of revenue support grant, redistributed business rate income and Home Office Police Grant where appropriate, and specific grants.
Research Briefing
The Localism Bill 2010-11 was introduced in the House of Commons on 13 December 2010. This Paper summarises the local government and community empowerment sections of the Bill. Aspects of the Bill relating to planning, housing and London are summarised in Research Paper 11/03. The Bill is due to receive its second reading in the House of Commons on 17 January 2011.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Bill. It complements Research Paper 10/63 which was prepared for Commons Second Reading. The Bill gives effect to the Coalition Government’s commitment to stop the restructuring of councils in Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon. Specifically, it would prevent implementation of any of the existing proposals for single-tier local government made under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. No amendments were made to the Bill in committee.
Research Briefing
Government Offices for the English Regions are to be abolished
Research Briefing
This standard note explains the structures and reform of local transport governance and finance in England during the course of the 1997-2010 Labour Government.
Research Briefing
The Bill gives effect to the Coalition Government’s commitment to stop the restructuring of councils in Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon. Specifically the Bill would prevent implementation of any of the existing proposals for a single-tier local government structure made under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. The Bill completed its passage through the House of Lords and was introduced into the House of Commons on 11 October 2010. This briefing was prepared to inform the Second Reading debate on the Bill.
Research Briefing
This note briefly summarises the effect on local authorities of the £1,165m savings in 2010/11 to be made through reductions to individual grants. This forms Local Governments contribution towards the overall saving of £6.2bn across Government. This note will be updated when further announcements are made by the Government.
Research Briefing
This paper summarises the results of the local and mayoral elections held on 6 May 2010. Elections were held in all 32 London boroughs, 36 metropolitan boroughs, 20 unitary authorities, and 76 shire districts. Labour had a net gain of 17 councils, the Conservatives a net loss of seven and the Liberal Democrats a net loss of one. Four incumbent mayors were re-elected: in the London Boroughs of Hackney, Lewisham and Newham (all Labour), and in Watford (Liberal Democrat). The UK General Election was held on the same day.
Research Briefing
This note sets out the law relating to the provision of public conveniences and the powers of local authorities.
Total results (page 22 of 27)