The EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee has taken evidence on the EU Data Protection Directive and Regulation, the EU-US Privacy Shield, and the EU-US Umbrella Agreement from the tech industry. Questions included: How much room for manoeuvre will the Government have in practice on data protection …

Cotswolds LEADER Programme is grant scheme open to businesses, public & voluntary organisations and charities. The LEADER Programme is a grant scheme targeted at the rural areas around the Cotswolds. The aim of the Programme is to stimulate economic growth through the creation of jobs. …

A Commons Library Briefing Paper has been published which considered the National Citizen Service Bill which completed its remaining Parliamentary stages. Concerns previously raised about  the Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act 1920 preventing young people volunteering in ‘industries’ such as heritage railways or for the …

The Midlands Engine Strategy includes significant investment in skills, connectivity and local growth, while it sets out how the government plans to drive the region’s huge potential and promote it to the world. The Strategy notes that importance of heritage and culture to driving growth …

The Public Committee Accounts Committee has published a report which backs  a ‘full decant’  over six years as the best-value option to restore and renew the Palace of Westminster. The Committee concludes that the Palace, a World Heritage Site, is in an extreme state of disrepair …

The Lords Select committee on the European Union has published a report Brexit: UK-EU movement of people The conclusions noted that: ‘Employers’ organisations were alarmed at the prospect that EU nationals might in future be subject to the UK’s non-EU immigration regime, the ‘Points Based …

The 19th bulletin from the Government’s neighbourhood planning team about the latest news and policy developments has been published. The edition contains updates on the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, support for groups and material to help stimulate discussion on the housing white paper consultation question on …

John Preston IHBC’s [Alliance member] Green Panel Chair called for traditional buildings to be given a ‘Different but Complementary’ approach in Bonfield’s ‘Each Home Counts’ plans for domestic energy use and provision. IHBC Chair James Caird said: ‘While all can welcome the wider moves towards …

Essex’s Museum Development Officer has contacted William Brown, National Security Advisor at the Arts Council for clarity on museum fire arms. His advice is that a museum needs a firearms license if a ‘collection contains live firearms, although there is an exception for historic firearms. …

The Supreme Court has granted permission to appeal in to appeal in Dover DC v CPRE [Alliance member]. The Court of Appeal previously held that the Council had given inadequate reasons for its view on how much harm the scheme would cause to the Kent …

CPRE’s new pamphlet, Landlines: why we need a strategic approach to land brings together a number of experts to argue for greater national coordination on land use, a longer term approach that can enhance both the environment and the economy. Shaun Spiers CPRE, Chief Executive, has …

The House of Lords has voted to amend the Neighbourhood Planning Bill so it removes permitted development rights relating to the change of use or demolition of pubs. Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab) tabled amendment 35 to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to …