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Central-Local Concordat

Volume 699: debated on Friday 22 February 2008

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills following the signing of the Central–Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) that “there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central Government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; (c) that the number of national indicators should be “around 200”; (d) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1745]

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is fully committed to the principles set out in the Central-Local Concordat, including in particular the new performance management arrangements for local authorities and their partners, based on a single set of 198 national indicators and a limited number of targets agreed in local area agreements (LAAs). We have ensured that skills are represented in the national indicator set and are currently working closely with other government departments, government offices, the Learning and Skills Council and others to agree the new LAAs with local authorities and their partners by June.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What instructions and advice are being given to Natural England concerning changes to their policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central Government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1915]

The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December last year. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. The operation of this agreement will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed Central-Local Partnership arrangements.

Statutory guidance to Natural England on its role in regional planning and associated matters, including LAAs, was issued in March 2007 following public consultation: paragraphs 5.7 and 5.8 refer. We have no plans to issue further guidance. Implementation of the guidance is a matter for the board of Natural England.

The guidance is available on Defra's website and I will undertake to send the noble Lord a copy of the guidance.