Local Government White Paper

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Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper published

Our View Unlock Democracy welcomes these proposals. However we regret that the white paper does not go further in devolving power to citizens and communities. Perhaps inevitably Strong and Prosperous Communities failed to live up to the ‘Double Devolution’ hype; it seems to confuse greater choice with greater power. If its aim is to ‘inform, consult, involve and devolve’ (para 2.7) then it is significant that devolution comes last. This is not to say that there are not valuable proposals in this document, but its emphasis is on a remodelling of existing local government powers and practices rather than a radical programme of decentralisation. One of the strengths of the white paper is the way it highlights best practice from councils across the country. It demonstrates how both * councils as a whole and individual councillors can better use the powers that they already have to engage with their communities and provide local leadership. For example it highlights the way in which some councils have embraced the idea of community petitions and set up petition committees to encourage and respond to local concerns. While there is nothing to prevent all councils from doing this, neither are they currently required to do so, and the white paper outlines a framework for councils to adopt. However those proposals that do go further, such as involving citizens directly in service design, are inevitably constrained by concerns about cost effectiveness. While councils should certainly not ignore the cost implications of what they do, participatory mechanisms, particularly those that engage the most excluded do tend to be more expensive that officers simply taking a decision. The white paper encourages councils to use these mechanisms but without additional resources it is unlikely that they will do so. There are significant reforms in this white paper that we welcome but we are concerned that it advocates consultation and choice in public service delivery rather than devolution of power. In particular it fails to empower citizens to set the agenda and take action themselves. We hope that any Bill that follows in the Queen’s Speech will go further and encourage councils to adopt the mechanism laid out in the Sustainable Communities Bill for bottom up democracy.

The Department of Communities and Local Government published a white paper on 26th October outlining the Government's vision for local government.

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said of the proposals

"We propose a new settlement with local government, communities and citizens. We will give local authorities a stronger role in leading their communities and bringing services together to address local needs and problems. Central government will play its part in guaranteeing minimum standards and setting overall national goals, but we will step back and allow more freedom and flexibility at the local level.

In exchange, we expect to see more accountability to local citizens, stronger local leadership, better and more efficient services and a readiness to support tougher intervention when things go wrong. The White Paper sets out how we intend to achieve this re-balancing between central government, local government and local people."

Key proposals include:

• Putting leadership on a firmer footing than ever before by requiring councils to change to one of three strong leadership models.

1. Directly Elected Mayor with a four year term - a directly elected individual
2. Directly Elected Executive with a four year term - alongside electing a mayor or council leader voters also directly elect the council's cabinet
3. Council leader with a four year term - voters elect councillors, and then councillors chose the council leader.

• Giving overview and scrutiny committees of councils new powers to review the actions of key public bodies and require the Council executive and other public bodies to respond;

• requiring councils to publicise overview and scrutiny recommendations and the responses to those recommendations;

• greater information for citizens regarding local authority (and other public body) activities;

• greater choice for local people regarding service provision by local authorities;

• greater accountability of local authorities and other public bodies, including greater opportunities for councillors to raise issues of concern to constituents;

• greater involvement of citizens in managing services, right up to administrative devolvement of service management.

For a detailed analysis of the proposals in the white paper please see our briefing.