Localism Bill must be 'business friendly', says chamber
The communities and local government committee's call for greater clarity surrounding localism has been welcomed by the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce.
George Cowcher, chief executive of the chamber, said the committee's report on localism was right to address the issue of how central and local government will work together effectively under the Localism Bill.
Cowcher said: "The main aim of the Localism Bill is to give communities a stronger voice, but it must also ensure the voice of business is heard. Government must remember that local authorities need to be accountable to businesses as well as residents. Private sector businesses pay rates like anyone else and also make a valuable contribution to their local economy.
"One of the Chamber’s main concerns with the Localism Bill is its potential to further complicate the planning system. Planning is critical to enabling development and economic growth, yet businesses believe that the system is too complex, timely and costly and does not adequately enable the growth of local enterprise.
"What the Localism Bill must not do is become a vehicle for anti-growth campaigners to block growth and hinder the creation of much-needed jobs."
