The Community Right to Challenge allows local communities the right to challenge how local authorities provide and run services. The Localism Act 2011 allows voluntary or community bodies, parish councils, or two or more employees of a local authority, to challenge the provision of a local authority service.
Community Right to Challenge (177 KB , PDF)
The Community Right to Challenge allows local communities the right to challenge how local authorities provide and run services, and potentially take over those services themselves. The Localism Act 2011 allows voluntary or community bodies, parish councils, or two or more employees of a local authority, to challenge the provision of a local authority service.
A ‘challenge’ takes the form of an expression of interest, which the relevant authority must consider. If the relevant authority agrees to accept the expression of interest, it must run a procurement exercise – which would then be open to other bodies that did not provide the initial expression of interest.
The Community Right to Challenge has been used rarely so far, with some 50 expressions of interest submitted as of December 2014.
The right extends to England only.
Community Right to Challenge (177 KB , PDF)
There are currently 48 operational Enterprise Zones in England. Similar policies have been adopted by the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Businesses in these small areas will benefit from tax and planning concessions and superfast broadband.
This note provides an introduction to overview and scrutiny committees in local authorities, their development and the relevant legislative provisions. It also notes specific powers available to local councils to scrutinise other bodies. The note principally covers England, with some reference to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A briefing paper on Business Improvement Districts, which sets out the legal basis of BIDs and key statistics on their operations.