Queen’s Speech: an ambitious plan hampered by omissions

Richard Harbord examines the impact of the government’s legislative proposals on councils, and concludes that local authorities expect and need more from central government.

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However you view the parliamentary programme for the next year there is no doubt that it is ambitious.

Twenty-two bills were outlined by Prince Charles in the Queen’s Speech, although 38 have been promised in total. Some of those not mentioned in the speech have been carried over from this year or even from previous years. How many of those will translate into acts remains to be seen. Recent performance leaves room for doubt.

The main priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living. It was only line three when levelling up got a mention.

Some of the bills not mentioned in the speech have been carried over from this year or even from previous years. How many of those will translate into acts remains to be seen. Recent performance leaves room for doubt.

Breakdown of bills affecting councils

The main measures that might affect local government substantially and were mentioned in the speech are as follows.

• A bill to drive local growth and empower local leaders to regenerate their areas. The planning system will be reformed to give residents more involvement (Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill).
• Modernise rail services and improve reliability for passengers (Transport Bill).
• A bill to build on the success of the COP26 Summit (Energy Security Bill).
• New competition rules for digital markets and digital firms (Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill).
• The formation of a UK Infrastructure Bank (UK Infrastructure Bank Bill).
• Raising standards in schools and higher education (Schools Bill, and Higher Education Bill).
• Reform of the Mental Health Act (Mental Health Act Reform Bill).
• Reform of law inherited from the European Union (Brexit Freedoms Bill).
• Public sector procurement to be simplified to create opportunities for small businesses (Procurement Bill).
• Reform of the data protection regime (Data Reform Bill).
• Strengthen the financial services industry (Financial Services and Markets Bill).
• A bill to strengthen powers in areas such as money laundering (Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill).
• As expected, a bill to prevent public bodies engaging in boycotts that undermine community cohesion (Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions Bill).
• Strengthen the rights of tenants (Social Housing Regulation Bill).

The difficulty with the Queen’s Speech is knowing exactly how and whether local authorities will be involved in these measures. The remaining bills are not likely to involve local authorities.

Some progress on business rates

There was no mention by Prince Charles of the reform of business rates, but that is because it is unfinished business from a previous Queen’s Speech. Briefing notes issued by the government promised a Non-Domestic Rating Bill that would shorten the revaluation cycle and improve valuation accuracy. It also intends to make the Valuation Office Agency more transparent. This has long been requested by local authorities

There was some discussion at the time about HMRC taking over central collection of business rates, but I think that is a fundamental change from last year’s proposals and may not be followed up.

The most significant issue for local authorities will be levelling up and we have few clues as to what that will include.

There is a major U-turn on the previous proposals on planning reform. The emphasis now is on climate change, bringing back empty properties to meaningful use. I am sure the proposals on giving residents a greater say in street names will be a huge vote winner. Proposals on maintaining current al fresco dining are, however, controversial.

The Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions Bill will have an effect on pension authorities and has been much discussed. It is also controversial and will not be an easy bill to get through parliament.

Missing elements in the speech

What does not appear in any way shape or form, unless now in levelling up, is the future financing of local government. The working party established by levelling up secretary Michael Gove had its meeting postponed until after the local elections and will presumably now be bursting into life. Major change would need primary legislation and is not mentioned.

There is also no mention of any real changes to health, adult social care or children’s social care. These are major areas, and the latter two are areas of greatest concern to local authorities. It is disappointing that the current committee looking at children’s social care will not finish in time for action in the next 12 months.

Local authorities expect and need more from central government and it is bad news that future funding does not figure.

More will become apparent over the next few days as the government publishes more detail on its plans.

The programme is particularly ambitious considering the number of unresolved issues from the last two speeches and the delays in dealing with consultation. Local authorities expect and need more from central government and it is bad news that future funding does not figure.

Richard Harbord is the former chief executive of Boston, Richmond and Hammersmith & Fulham councils.

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