Living Places - Powers, Rights and Responsibilities

Options for Reforming the Legislative Framework

July 2003: The comments received to the Powers, Rights, Responsibilities consultation exercise, and from the roadshows, have been collated and summarised. This summary document is not the Government’s response to the consultation but is simply a summary of what people have said on the individual options that were set out. The Government is considering all the responses it received in more detail and will consult further on specific issues in due course.
Summary of responses to consultation (140 kb)

This consultation paper describes options for reforming the legislative framework as part of the Government's strategy for clarifying and improving the statutory powers, rights and responsibilities associated with achieving cleaner and safer public spaces and local environments. The detail of the strategy and the context for the wider agenda are laid out in the accompanying publication produced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Living Places - Cleaner, Safer, Greener (see www.odpm.gov.uk and in particular, www.urban.odpm.gov.uk/greenspace/living/index.htm).

The Defra paper was produced following discussions with the key service providers (local authorities, police, key public bodies, contractors) to find out what other powers and guidance they needed, in order to deliver cleaner and safer public spaces. Those consulted asked for tougher powers for dealing with irresponsible landowners, and clearer and more flexible powers for dealing with specific nuisances. Most importantly, they asked for a consistent and straightforward framework by which everybody is clear about their responsibilities, what they can do to meet them and what they have the right to expect in return. The review also recognised that people wanted increased opportunity to hold those responsible to account when they fail to deliver and to have prompt remedies.

We would welcome your comments on any of the options for reform contained in the paper.

Additional information about Defra's activity in relation to local environmental quality is available on this page. See also this News Release in relation to the consultation paper.

Consultation paper

The consultation paper is available for downloading and printing, as follows:

• Main document (300kb)

• Front and back covers (400kb)

• Welsh translation:
  the text of the document is now available in a Welsh translation (300kb)

Printed copies can be obtained from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX, Tel: 08459 556000, Fax: 020 8957 5012, Email: defra@iforcegroup.com

Partial Regulatory Impact Assessments

On 17 February 2003, Defra issued Partial Regulatory Impact Assessments covering four options discussed in the Living Places consultation paper. Living Places promised to deliver appropriate and necessary reforms as soon as suitable legislative slots could be found. An early opportunity has arisen with the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill that is currently being prepared by the Government. Defra has been asked to consider and propose possible measures for inclusion in the Bill that will help to improve local environmental quality and tackle the growing problem of fly tipping.

The covering letter and Partial Regulatory Impact Assessments issued are available as follows:

Covering Letter 25kb

Partial RIA on Flytipping 50kb

Partial RIA on Local Environmental Quality 25kb

Partial RIA on Street Furniture 15kb

The closing date for responses was 26 February 2003.

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Responses

Please send your response by 14 February 2003 to:

Review of Powers, Rights and Responsibilities
Defra
Zone 6/E5 Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
LONDON SW1E 6DE

Fax: 0207 944 6559
E-mail: local.environment@defra.gsi.gov.uk