This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on the Local Government Elections (Referendum) Bill [HL] 2017–19, a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Balfe (Conservative),ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 December 2017.
Local Government Elections (Referendum) Bill (150 KB , PDF)
The Local Government Elections (Referendum) Bill [HL] received its first reading in the House of Lords on 28 June 2017, and is scheduled to have its second reading on 15 December 2017.
The Bill contains one operative clause. It would compel the Secretary of State to introduce a bill to provide that local authorities in England must hold a referendum on introducing proportional representation for local government elections if certain conditions are met. These conditions are that there has been a petition to the Government or to the United Kingdom Parliament signed by at least 10 percent of the electors in the local area, requesting a referendum; and that the local government body for that area has passed a resolution that a referendum should be held.
Local Government Elections (Referendum) Bill (150 KB , PDF)
Issues such as the growth in short-term lettings and second homes disproportionately impact housing issues in rural and coastal areas. This exacerbates an already complex housing situation nationally. Charities and campaign groups have called for government intervention, arguing that the negative impacts, such as a shortage of affordable housing, are hollowing out rural and coastal areas.
In December 2022 the House of Lords Land Use in England Committee published its report into land use in England. The committee noted the increasing number of demands on land and argued for the creation of a land use commission. This would oversee the development of a land use framework, to enable stakeholders to make the best decisions for land. It also made other recommendations. The government responded to the committee in April 2023.
The government has committed to continue the devolution of power from central government to local government in England. However, the process by which local devolution has been implemented has been criticised as complex and opaque. This briefing provides an overview of local government in England, the government’s policies on devolution and the criticisms made of the government’s approach ahead of a debate on local democracy in the House of Lords.
