NALC Update on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

See below for an edited copy of the NALC CEO's update on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

"Two sessions of the Committee Stage of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill were held on 13 March and 15 March, featuring several amendments tabled by Baroness Scott.

Wednesday's [15th] session featured seven amendments covering the suspension of councillors, carer's dependents allowance, review of neighbourhood governance, power to pay grants to local councils, financial assistance to places of worship and the general power of competence.

These proposals received significant support from across the House. I was pleased to see the minister Baroness Scott of Bybrook, confirm the review of neighbourhood governance would take place in the coming financial year and note the intention of clarifying powers of local councils to fund church buildings.

However, I was bitterly disappointed the government did not agree with the other proposals, citing the additional cost regarding the carer's allowance and remote meetings that the government would be publishing its response to the call for evidence in due course, which would set out its intentions.

We are liaising with Baroness Scott and other Peers about pressing some of these issues further at the Report stage of the Bill. The 13 March session is available to watch or read on Hansard, likewise the 15 March recording and transcript of sessions one and two".

This is a significant setback to NALC's lobbying work on the above issues, first detailed here: NALC calls for change to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill - News