Local authories get more power in regeneration

Local authorities will be given powers to decide how spending on transport and regeneration is prioritised, under proposed new legislation.

The Department of Communities and Local Government announced today it would give top-tier councils a duty to assess the economic conditions of their area and then work with Regional Development Agencies (RDA) to use the information as the basis of regional strategies concerning future housing, transport and regeneration.

Under the proposed legislation, RDAs and councils would also advise government on how to best join up regional funding already allocated.

RDAs would be answerable to new regional forums of local authority leaders to ensure they are accountable to their communities and government.

The proposals follow last year’s announcement of streamlined regional government and the phasing out of Regional Assemblies from 2010.

Local Government minister John Healey said: “These reforms lay the foundations for a renaissance in England’s most deprived areas. It will help them to unlock the potential of local businesses and help build new ones - putting our local economies in an even stronger, competitive position than now."