Resources> Policy Documents> Community Empowerment
Strengthening Local Democracy (2009)
Communities and Local Government (CLG) recently launched its consultation document, Strengthening Local Democracy, as part of the government's efforts to promote local democracy and increase citizen participation and involvement in regional and local democratic structures. This consultation builds on the government's paper, Building Britain's Future, originally presented to Parliament in June 2009.
London Civic Forum and the London Empowerment Partnership are inviting all members, stakeholders and wider contacts to consult on the proposals laid out in this document by taking part in an online consultation. For more information, please visit our consultations page.
Control Shift- Returning Power to Local Communities (2009)
In February 2009, the Conservative party launched this major green paper which outlines the party's commitment to giving power back to local communities. The policy green paper builds on the ideas of decentralisation, devolution and empowerment, and includes a range of proposals aimed at devolving power from regional government to local communities.
Communities in Control: Real people, real power (2008)
This White Paper further upholds the idea that local citizens and communities should be included in decisions affecting their services or local areas.
- Communities in Control White Paper (2008)
- Commuities in Control- Summary (2008)
- Communities in Control- Equalities Impact Assessment (2008)
- Communities in Control- Evidence Annex (2008)
- The Government Response to the Councillors Commission (2008)
- Communities Progress Report (2009)
In addition to the White Paper, CLG also published a series of proposals which were open to public consultation during late 2008. These included:
- Improving Local Accountability- Consultation (2008)
- Improving Local Accountability- Government Response to Consultation (2008)
- The Empowerment Fund- Consultation (2008)
- The Empowerment Fund- Government Response to Consultation (2008)
- Changing Council Governance Arrangements: Mayors and Indirectly Elected Leaders- Consultation (2008)
- Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity- Consultation (2008)
- The Making and Enforcement of Byelaws (2008)- Consultation
- Codes of Conduct for Local Authority Members and Employees (2008)- Consultation
- Standing for Office- Time-Off Entitlements (2008)- Consultation
- Standing for Office- Time-Off Entitlements (2008)- Summary of Responses
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act (2007)
This Bill received public assent in October 2007, and includes many of the proposals initially set out in the Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper. This bill places a central government requirement on local authorities to include communities in decisions about health services, as well as a duty for local authorities to 'inform, consult and involve' local people.
- Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
- Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007- Impact Assessment
Strong and Prosperous Communities (2006)
The 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' White Paper, published in 2007, aimed to devolve power from central government to local government, communities and individuals.
- Strong and Prosperous Communities- The Local Government White Paper (2006)
- Strong and Prosperous Communities- The Local Government White Paper Summary (2006)
- Strong and Prosperous Communities- Making it Happen: The Implementation Plan (2007)
- Strong and Prosperous Communities- Final Implementation Plan (2007)
- London Civic Forum 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' - Briefing (2007)
