Localis is an independent

think tank A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governmental ...

that promotes neo-localist ideas. It was founded in 2001 and is currently based in

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. Its research programme is guided by the concept of neo-localism which it describes as giving places and people more control over the effects of globalisation. Localis publish papers on a variety of public policy areas, including reshaping the economy; culture, tradition and beauty; reforming public services; and improving family life. Past publications have argued for greater financial autonomy for local authorities, the creation of a national infrastructure bank and that the

Right to Buy The Right to Buy scheme is a policy in the United Kingdom, with the exception of Scotland since 1 August 2016 and Wales from 26 January 2019, which gives secure tenants of councils and some housing associations the legal right to buy, at a large ...

should be extended into equity slivers. The think tank has also published reports on topics including health and social integration, Local Enterprise Partnerships and municipal enterprise. Current members of the board include Sir Merrick Cockell (who is also chairman), Councillor Paul Carter, Councillor Paul Bettison, Councillor Louise Goldsmith and Councillor David Renard. Former chief executives include James Morris, elected as the

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(MP) for

Halesowen and Rowley Regis Halesowen and Rowley Regis is a constituency in the West Midlands represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by James Morris, a Conservative. Members of Parliament Boundaries Halesowen and Rowley Regis straddl ...

in May 2010. On 25 July 2016,

Liam Booth-Smith Liam Booth-Smith is a British political adviser who has served as the Downing Street Chief of Staff since October 2022. He previously served as ''de facto'' chief of staff to then-chancellor Rishi Sunak as head of the Joint Economic Unit. Early ...

took over the role of Chief Executive, replacing the outgoing Alex Thomson. Booth-Smith stepped down in 2018, with Jonathan Werran replacing him in July of the same year.

Notable publications

''Can Localism Deliver? Lessons from Manchester''

In 2009, Localis published a report entitled ''Can Localism Deliver? Lessons from Manchester''. It series of recommendations to devolve powers to local government was highly influential in the establishment of the

Greater Manchester Combined Authority The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is a combined authority for Greater Manchester, England. It was established on 1 April 2011 and consists of 11 members; 10 indirectly elected members, each a directly elected councillor from on ...

. The report included a foreword by

Michael Heseltine Michael Ray Dibdin Heseltine, Baron Heseltine, (; born 21 March 1933) is a British politician and businessman. Having begun his career as a property developer, he became one of the founders of the publishing house Haymarket. Heseltine served ...

who was influential in the 2010-15 coalition government’s attempts to promote the advancement of devolution, especially through the

Northern Powerhouse The Northern Powerhouse is a proposal to boost economic growth in the North of England by the 2010–15 coalition government and 2015–2016 Conservative government in the United Kingdom, particularly in the " Core Cities" of Hull, Mancheste ...

. Heseltine mentioned in the report that “we need mechanisms that drive communities together, embracing academia, the private sector, the voluntary sector and others with a stake in our society to seek solutions designed in the circumstances on the ground and not forged as a national ‘one solution fits all’ diktat from London.”

''The Rate Escape: Freeing Local Government to Drive Economic Growth''

In 2011, the think tank also published a report which argued that local government must be given greater local financial autonomy through being allowed to retain business rates. The report attracted support from a range of prominent figures.

Bob Neill Sir Robert James MacGillivray Neill (born 24 June 1952) is a British barrister and Conservative Party politician. He has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bromley and Chislehurst since a by-election on 29 June 2006, following the ...

said that the report “underlines the real importance of Government's drive to end councils' dependence on the whims of Whitehall grants” whilst

Miles Templeman Miles Templeman was Director General of the Institute of Directors (IoD), the business organisation that represents and sets standards for company directors, between 2004 and 2011. Career Miles Templeman began his career as a marketing speciali ...

called it a “powerful model for business rate reform”. In 2015,

George Osborne George Gideon Oliver Osborne (born Gideon Oliver Osborne; 23 May 1971) is a former British politician and newspaper editor who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 and as First Secretary of State from 2015 to 2016 in the ...

announced that English councils would be able to keep all of the proceedings from business rates, calling it “the biggest transfer of power” in recent history.“George Osborne: Councils to keep £26bn in business rates”
Retrieved on 26 July 2016

Current members of the board

* Councillor Merrick Cockell, Chairman * Councillor Paul Carter * Councillor Paul Bettison * Councillor Louise Goldsmith * Councillor David Renard

Notes

External links