WIREDGOV

Cllr David Sparks, Chair of the Local Government Association commented on the appointment of Greg Clark as Communities Secretary

"Greg Clark has demonstrated that he understands the big issues for local authorities, while also recognising the challenges ahead. Councils, who have seen a 40 per cent real terms reduction in funding over the last Parliament, will look to CLG to work with us to ensure local authorities are adequately funded and given long-term certainty through multi-year spending allocations.

"As a keen advocate of devolution, we hope this appointment is a clear signal that now is the time to drive forward the debate on reform. People in communities across the country want more decisions that affect their lives to be taken closer to them. All parts of the country – from city regions to non-metropolitan areas – need greater freedom from Whitehall. We need to quickly move from a place of asking whether to centralise to asking how far and fast we can go.

"The LGA has put forward proposals that can help grow our economy, build stronger communities, give children and young people the best start in life, keep the nation healthy, and achieve all this while eliminating the deficit. We look forward to working with Mr Clark to implement these while continuing to cement local government's pivotal role at the heart of democracy and local communities."

Contact

Cherie Willers, Head of News and Internal Communications
Local Government Association
Telephone: 020 7664 3120
Email: cherie.willers@local.gov.uk
Media Office (out-of-hours contact): 020 7664 3333
Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ