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2007 has been an interesting year across property and politics. While REITs didn't quite lead the charge of the new dynamism in the market that was originally expected, the credit crunch has impacted on yields and fluidity - particularly across the commercial sector, and the residential market is deemed to be on something of a tightrope - particularly for new build high density in inner-city areas.

The Government has today published the new PPS (Planning Policy Statement) on Planning for Climate Change. A supplementary document to PPS1 it focuses specifically on measures to address and combat climate change in new developments setting out how regional and local planning can best support the achievement of the zerocarbon targets alongside meeting community needs for economic and housing development.

Opinion polls taken during the month showed an increasing Conservative lead, which appeared to increase after the various issues relating to Northern Rock, loss of personal information and Labour campaign funding scandals were revealed. By the final weekend of the month the Conservatives were showing poll figures that have not been seen since Mrs Thatcher held office, 20 years ago.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today published his Draft Housing Strategy for London. Statutory consultation on the strategy will take place for three months following the parliamentary approval of the GLA Bill - currently expected to be in the early part of 2008.

In a busy week for the industry with Government pushing out legislation before the Christmas break, yesterday saw the publication of the Planning Reform Bill and a lively debate in the House of Commons as the Housing and Regeneration Bill received it's second reading.

The Government this week formally introduced the new Housing and Regeneration Bill to Parliament. The Bill is the culmination of the various consultations, White and Green Papers that have emerged over the course of the last 12 months. Set out below is a (very brief) overview of key aspects of the Bill which will now be debated in Parliament at which point specific clauses and nuances will be reviewed and revised. During the course of this process it can be anticipated that interested MPs and stakeholders will focus on specific aspects of the Bill and seek to amend and adapt these as it moves through the Parliamentary process.

John Callcutt, former Head of English Partnerships, today published his long-awaited Callcutt Review. The Review was established by former Secretary of State Ruth Kelly to look at how the UK housebuilding industry can deliver more affordable and sustainable homes in the quickest and most effective way.

The annual parliamentary Queen's Speech no longer quite lives up to its previous billing, mixing traditional ceremonial pomp with the excitement of finally hearing which Bills have made it into the government's legislative programme after weeks of punditry and media speculation. This year, instead of advanced leaking and kite flying of recent years, the whole programme was given an official outing by the Prime Minister before Parliament rose for the summer recess.

National opinion polls taken during the month continued to show a Conservative recovery moving into a lead, which is following on from their successful party conference.

PPS's South West and Wales team is expanding with two new members of staff, Account Manager Dafydd Williams and Account Executive Clare Jones.

Opinion polls taken during September continued to show an increasing level of Labour support, which culminated in a double-digit lead in the aftermath of the Labour party conference. This was wiped away during the Conservative party conference in Blackpool, helping to lead Gordon Brown’s media disaster over the on/off general election.

Following on from the Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, DCLG have published a further statement on the Planning Reform Bill incorporating a new statutory planning charge - i.e.. a tariff - to be levied onto developments in addition to Section 106. The money is to be used to supplement the £1.7bn funding programme announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday for major infrastructure development.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, today delivered his first Pre-Budget Report (PBR) and Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). With both statements rolled into one, the PBR sets out spending commitments for the coming parliamentary session (usually held following the Queen's Speech in November). The CSR sets out spending commitments over the longer term of an economic cycle (usually three years, the 2007 CSR was delayed from July 2006 due to an apparent shift in the length of the economic cycle which cynics at the time denounced as a fudging of the rules. It was further delayed from July on account of Gordon Brown coming to power).

The Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth this week was a departure from the usual week of political gossip and intrigue. An unusually peaceful atmosphere reigned as the party faithful and commercial visitors all basked in the extraordinary feeling of harmony as Gordon Brown took centre stage for his first conference as Party Leader and Prime Minister.

Councillors in the southeast decl ared victory over Gordon Brown this morning when the Panel Report on the RSS was published.

Recent opinion polls continue to show a strong Labour lead nationally, resulting in the Conservative Party immediately entering into its traditional panic mode.

In his first major legislative announcement since coming to power, Gordon Brown today signalled a radical departure from usual practice by setting out the legislative agenda for the 2007/8 parliamentary session in draft form to be discussed and debated over the summer. Usually, the legislative programme is revealed in November as the Queen's Speech, preceded by rumour, tactical leaking, lobbying and lock-downs. However, Brown has so far steered well away from the coordinated selective leaking tactics of previous administrations instead choosing to make announcements through parliamentary processes - all part of the drive to build confidence...

The political news this month has been dominated by the transition from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown as Prime Minister. Gordon Brown made extensive changes to his Ministerial team, including restructuring a number of Government Departments. Both David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell responded with changes to their front bench teams. However, recent security issues have overshadowed these changes and it will be some time before the new ministers settle down and the effect of policy can be identified.

The Conservative Party annual conference was dominated by one absent figure on whom the Conservative Leadership and delegates were left waiting for a decision. They were powerless, waiting not for Godot to arrive as in the stage play but for Gordon Brown to make the public announcement of the impending General Election.

The Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth this week was a departure from the usual week of political gossip and intrigue. An unusually peaceful atmosphere reigned as the party faithful and commercial visitors all basked in the extraordinary feeling of harmony as Gordon Brown took centre stage for his first conference as Party Leader and Prime Minister.

Councillors in the southeast decl ared victory over Gordon Brown this morning when the Panel Report on the RSS was published.

Recent opinion polls continue to show a strong Labour lead nationally, resulting in the Conservative Party immediately entering into its traditional panic mode.

In his first major legislative announcement since coming to power, Gordon Brown today signalled a radical departure from usual practice by setting out the legislative agenda for the 2007/8 parliamentary session in draft form to be discussed and debated over the summer. Usually, the legislative programme is revealed in November as the Queen's Speech, preceded by rumour, tactical leaking, lobbying and lock-downs. However, Brown has so far steered well away from the coordinated selective leaking tactics of previous administrations instead choosing to make announcements through parliamentary processes - all part of the drive to build confidence...

The political news this month has been dominated by the transition from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown as Prime Minister. Gordon Brown made extensive changes to his Ministerial team, including restructuring a number of Government Departments. Both David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell responded with changes to their front bench teams. However, recent security issues have overshadowed these changes and it will be some time before the new ministers settle down and the effect of policy can be identified.

The Government today published the promised Green Paper on Housing along with a paper on Eco Towns and sustainability.

PPS Bulletin - Brown's First Cabinet; Property and Planning

With the dust now having settled on the recent elections, a number of local councils across the region are now gearing up for the municipal year ahead with new political administrations, and new councillors which could have a bearing on planning decision making in these councils over the next 12 months.

The English local elections saw the Conservative Party win 5,315 seats, making a net gain of 911 and winning overall control of a further 39 councils. Labour won 1,877 seats, a net loss of 505 seats and eight councils. The Liberal Democrats won 2,171 seats, but with a net loss of 246 seats and four councils.

• Large EfW plants and power stations to be determined by new Planning Commission
• Small and medium EfW plants and landfill sites still to be determined by local authorities
• Waste strategy to form policy basis for Planning Commission decisions
• Government committed to increase in use of EfW as waste disposal
• New ROCs branding

• Recent Form
• Local Elections 2007
• Looking ahead – Second Tier Shire Councils
• Marginal Councils

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2007, There were just six by-elections during January, with two seats changing hands. Looking Ahead - Unitary Councils

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2007, There were 11 by-elections during December 2006, with five seats changing hands. In addition there were changes in overall control to four councils, two as a result of by-elections and two by defection.