Localism at the neighbourhood level: London borough governance and situated anti-politics

The Localism Act 2011 has successfully devolved planning powers to over 2300 English communities with over 530 “made” neighbourhood plans legitimised by referendums, involving nearly six million people. The devolution deals however, creating combined authorities, appear not to have generated double devolution, failing to extend power down to their communities. There is governance rescaling but the rationale of subsidiarity is inconsistently applied. London has the benefit of stability and experience with a city-region authority and mayor in place since 2000, underpinned by 32 large unitary authorities. It is noteworthy that neighbourhood planning powers have been taken up in London much more slowly than in the rest of England, with marked differences in progress between the boroughs, despite a statutory “duty to support” localism. Two major national studies of localism are reviewed to inform an examination of the politics of localism in London. The role of the local authority is found to be critical and evidence of a London governance effect is noted. Related academic studies are also referred to so as to supply some theorisation. The significance and force of the community’s notion of “place” is observed. There has been remarkably little research into London borough governance since the Local Government Act 2000 reform. Based upon the evidence of localism and neighbourhood planning in London, which is proving to be problematic, a tentative case is made for a “situated” anti-politics in the capital.