Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023

Official Summary

A Bill to make provision for the setting of levelling-up missions and reporting on progress in delivering them; about local democracy; about town and country planning; about Community Infrastructure Levy; about the imposition of Infrastructure Levy; about environmental outcome reports for certain consents and plans; about regeneration; about the compulsory purchase of land; about information and records relating to land, the environment or heritage; for the provision for pavement licences to be permanent; about governance of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; about vagrancy and begging; and for connected purposes.

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Overview

The Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill is currently under parliamentary consideration. A key point of contention involves amendments concerning the ability of local authorities to hold virtual meetings and the incorporation of climate change mitigation and adaptation into planning decisions. The Commons and Lords have differing views on these issues.

Description

Virtual Local Authority Meetings

The Bill initially included an amendment to allow local authorities to hold virtual meetings, regardless of existing rules. The Commons disagreed, advocating for in-person meetings. A compromise amendment allows the government to make regulations permitting virtual meetings but requires parliamentary approval for these regulations.

Climate Change Considerations in Planning

Another amendment sought to mandate that the Secretary of State and relevant planning authorities give special consideration to climate change mitigation and adaptation in national policy and planning decisions. The Commons initially rejected this but the Lords insisted, leading to further parliamentary debate.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly allocate funds, but the changes to virtual meetings could lead to potential savings in travel and venue costs for local authorities. The incorporation of climate change considerations into planning may lead to increased spending in certain areas, though precise figures are not yet available.

Groups Affected

Local Authorities: The ability to hold virtual meetings could impact their operational costs and accessibility for members and the public. Planning Authorities: New duties regarding climate change could significantly alter their decision-making processes and resource allocation. The Public: Increased or decreased accessibility to local authority meetings, depending on the final decision regarding virtual meetings. Environmental groups: The inclusion of climate change considerations in planning decisions will impact their advocacy efforts and may lead to more environmentally friendly planning decisions.

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