In my last Money Matters column (The MJ, 25 June), I discussed communities and their position of central importance to the HCA. 
Our recent activities, particularly in keeping momentum going and mitigating against the effects of the economic downturn, might have been housing-led, but we are very clear that homes alone do not deliver thriving communities. 
I'd like to continue that theme with the subject of localism.
Whoever wins the next election will quickly need to decide on priorities and, as a sector, we will all need to be ready for that. But while we can't necessarily second-guess what will be difficult decisions, particularly around public spending, what does seem clear is that nobody will be taking a backwards step on localism. As a result, we have a golden opportunity to strip away some of the legacies of the old world and build on a growing confidence local government has in its role as place-maker.
There are still obstacles to overcome. Local government's passion and belief in the potential of its own areas can also be a weakness. And there are real variations in capacity to deliver.
As a result, we should be seeking to combine a powerful role for local government with a genuinely partnership-driven approach, harnessing the skills and expertise of others. 
At the HCA, we will do that through our ‘single conversation' by which we will bridge national targets with local ambition. Our role is not to act as the enforcer of central government, but rather the best delivery partner of local government. And, crucial to that is creating a local focus for local residents, for which we are well set to play our part.
We should all be ready to embrace the good news. The world is changing, and localism is real.
Richard Ennis is director of finance and corporate services at the Homes and Communities Agency