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Working with local authorities to help deliver the ambitions of a specific place has always been a core part of our work. And this is set to become an even greater focus for us as we progress through local investment planning (LIP) with our partners, following completion of our single conversation process. Under its localism agenda, the Government has made devolving power to local authorities and communities a defining goal, and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has a key role to play in ensuring that we continue to support local areas and the communities which live and work in and around them. We appreciate circumstances vary, and will be offering technical assistance, working together to agree a vision and set out key objectives in a LIP. The focus of this planning will be on local economic purpose, housing demand and supply, and community engagement. It will be evidence-based and address the social, demographic and environmental needs of a place, to make sure it covers all aspects of HCA involvement in each area. For me, and the HCA, it is important to be impartial, making sure our activities and processes are transparent and accountable, so that the impact we have is clear, and improvements can be made along the way as we learn from experience. I hope we will be able to help local authorities which are the driving force that ensures future investment is focused on local priorities regarding housing growth and affordability, the use of existing stock and regeneration. We believe this is a sensible direction for the HCA to move towards and think it will continue to give local leaders more control over the future of their communities, while allowing us to continue maximising housing supply and creating thriving communities. Richard Ennis is director of finance and corporate services at the HCA

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FINANCE

Money Matters

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