Pre-election insights for local government
Matthew Gregson, partner and head of local government considers the future for local authorities.
Local authorities are hoping that the General Election provides an opportunity to take stock and re-shape the way that public services are delivered, and the bolder the better.
Matthew Gregson, partner and head of local government
One key change that will probably go ahead, regardless of the election outcome, is a move to multi-year financial settlements for local authorities in England. This would be widely welcomed by local authorities , enabling them to plan for the long term with greater certainty. It is disappointing, however, that many of the manifestos don’t say how much funding will be provided for local government.
With so many councils in significant financial difficulty and struggling to maintain the provision of statutory services, the election is an opportunity that society as a whole can’t afford to miss. If we don’t prioritise vital public services now, the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in society will continue to not be met. How we go about delivering these vital services is another question entirely. The solution could lie in greater collaboration with social purpose and third sector organisations and strategic investment in regeneration – both have a role to play. The Local Government Association’s White Paper has called for ‘radical thinking’ rooted in honest and open dialogue about what local government needs to be, now and in the future. If we want to change things for the better, this would certainly be a good place to start.
Other key areas of interest for local government include:
Housebuilding – Housebuilding is a key agenda item across the manifestos, with the aim of providing more social and affordable housing and reducing homelessness.
Planning – The Labour party has pledged to reform and update the National Policy Planning Framework to restore mandatory housing targets and reintroduce strategic planning across the UK.
Devolution – Many councils are hoping that the election provides an opportunity for local government reform – potentially bringing them more devolved powers to support the delivery of vital public services and to kick-start the local economy.