The Levelling Up Bill: Law Timeline And What's Next

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 11 May 2022 and became an Act of Parliament on 26 October 2023. The bill covers a range of topics, including local democracy, town and country planning, the imposition of an Infrastructure Levy, and vagrancy and begging. The bill is expected to speed up the process of offering all of England the opportunity to benefit from a devolution deal by 2030.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill became an Act of Parliament on 26 October 2023

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 originated in the House of Commons during the 2022-23 session and received Royal Assent to become an Act of Parliament. The Act includes provisions for setting levelling-up missions and reporting on progress, local democracy, town and country planning, community infrastructure levy, imposition of infrastructure levy, environmental outcome reports, regeneration, compulsory purchase of land, information and records relating to land and the environment, permanent pavement licences, governance of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, vagrancy and begging, and connected purposes.

The process of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill becoming an Act of Parliament involved its introduction on May 11, 2022, followed by debates, amendments, and votes in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Act introduced significant changes to the planning system, giving more weight to adopted plans and addressing issues in the operation of the housing delivery and land supply tests. It also encouraged the use of small sites for development, particularly in urban areas, to speed up housing delivery and give confidence to small and medium-sized builders.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 is a far-reaching piece of legislation that will have a significant impact on communities and the built environment across the country. It remains to be seen how the Act will be implemented and what secondary legislation will be required to support it.

The Bill originated in the House of Commons and was introduced on 11 May 2022

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 11 May 2022. The Bill, which was a Government Bill, was designed to set provisions for the following:

• Setting levelling-up missions and reporting on progress in delivering them
• Local democracy
• Town and country planning
• Community Infrastructure Levy
• Imposition of Infrastructure Levy
• Environmental outcome reports for certain consents and plans
• Regeneration
• Compulsory purchase of land
• Information and records relating to land, the environment or heritage
• Provision for pavement licences to be permanent
• Governance of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Vagrancy and begging

The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 11 May 2022 and became an Act of Parliament on 26 October 2023.

The Bill covers topics such as town and country planning, the imposition of the Infrastructure Levy, and the compulsory purchase of land

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill covers a wide range of topics, including town and country planning, the imposition of the Infrastructure Levy, and the compulsory purchase of land.

Town and Country Planning

The Bill seeks to improve the planning process by giving local communities more control over what is built, where it is built, and what it looks like. It aims to create an incentive for communities to welcome development, provided it meets certain standards. The Bill will also enable changes to come forward, such as the full digitalization of the system, to enhance the way planning works.

Infrastructure Levy

The Bill will replace the current system of developer contributions with a simple, mandatory, and locally determined Infrastructure Levy. The Levy will be charged on the value of the property when it is sold and will be applied above a minimum threshold. Local authorities will be able to set different rates within their area, and the rates will be based on a percentage of the gross development value. The Bill sets out the framework for the new Levy, with the detailed design to be delivered through regulations.

Compulsory Purchase of Land

The Bill proposes measures to support land assembly and regeneration, including important changes to compulsory purchase powers. These changes will give local authorities clearer and more effective powers to assemble sites for regeneration and make better use of brownfield land. The Bill will also enhance transparency by requiring the government to collect and publish data on contractual and other arrangements used to exercise control over land.

The Bill proposes speeding up the process of offering all of England the opportunity to benefit from a devolution deal by 2030

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill proposes speeding up the process of offering all of England the opportunity to benefit from a devolution deal by 2030. This is in response to long-running requests from councils and the Local Government Association (LGA) for further devolution in England.

The Bill includes information on draft metrics proposed in the Levelling Up White Paper to measure progress towards the twelve missions. This is a good first step, but they still fall short of the full breadth of what is needed to create thriving and inclusive communities. The LGA is supporting amendments to ensure that progress towards the missions is followed closely.

The LGA is also seeking an amendment to ensure that demographic disparities are addressed as part of the levelling-up agenda. Research published by the LGA indicates that the health and economic welfare of BAME residents and young people in urban areas were put at greater risk by the coronavirus pandemic. While the government's ambition to address regional disparities between places is commendable, the LGA is concerned that particular communities within these places will continue to experience economic and social disadvantage unless demographic disparities are also addressed.

The Bill also gives councils more power to charge premium council tax for long-term empty and second homes, allowing them to influence local housing markets. The LGA supports these measures, which are outlined in clauses 75 and 76 of the Bill.

The LGA has expressed deep concern about the proposed risk-mitigation measures in clause 74 of the Bill, which could give the Secretary of State significant powers to intervene in a local authority. The LGA believes that the formula-based approach outlined in the Bill could have wider implications than intended. They emphasize the importance of full engagement and consultation with the sector before enacting the regulations arising from the Bill.

The Bill also includes a range of other proposals related to planning reforms, infrastructure levy, vacant properties, environmental assessment, neighbourhood planning, and more. The LGA has offered a mix of support and criticism for these proposals, with a focus on ensuring that the measures benefit local communities and address their specific needs.

The Bill includes information on draft metrics proposed in the Levelling Up White Paper to measure progress towards twelve missions

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons in the 2022-23 session, includes information on draft metrics proposed in the Levelling Up White Paper to measure progress towards twelve missions. This is an important step towards creating thriving and inclusive communities, and the Local Government Association (LGA) supports amendments to ensure that progress towards these missions is closely monitored.

The twelve missions outlined in the Levelling Up White Paper are clear, measurable, and difficult to oppose. They provide a clear focus for the work ahead, addressing profound inequalities through serious long-term reform. The missions cover a range of areas, including research and development, innovation, and various societal issues.

Metrics are a collection of quantifiable indicators used to monitor and evaluate performance over time. They are often stated in numerical terms and are used to track progress towards a specific objective or assess the efficiency of a particular procedure or system. In the context of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, metrics will be used to measure progress towards the twelve missions and ensure that the government's efforts are on track and effective.

The draft metrics included in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill are an important step towards creating transparency and accountability in the government's efforts to address inequalities. By using metrics, the government can track its progress and make data-driven decisions to improve its policies and strategies. Additionally, metrics can help identify areas that require additional resources or attention, ensuring that the needs of all communities are met.

Overall, the inclusion of draft metrics in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing inequalities and creating a more level playing field for all. By measuring progress towards the twelve missions, the government can ensure that its policies are effective and making a positive impact on the lives of people across the country.

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