LGA responds to CLG committee devolution report

4 Feb 2016 11:27 AM

LGA Chairman Lord Porter responds to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee's report on ‘Devolution: The Next Five Years and Beyond'.

"This is a timely report as local government takes stock of progress on devolution with the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act passing into law.

"We celebrate those places which have achieved devolution deals, but as this report makes clear, these opportunities need to be extended across all areas of the country. Like the Committee, we urge government to keep up the momentum in their discussions with non-metropolitan areas to ensure that all areas of England can benefit.

"Devolution is a massive opportunity to help ensure services are tailored to best meet the needs of local people and we want to see ambition from government departments that matches that of local places in considering the powers devolved and different models of governance appropriate to both cities and county areas. Places should also be able to build on their initial deals and take advantage of a broader range of powers to fully capitalise on the opportunities for their communities and businesses.

"While it is right that devolution deals are not imposed, but negotiated and secured by local places, we recognise the need for greater public engagement throughout the deal-making process and are working with councils to support them in this.

"The report highlights the LGA's DevoNext online resources hub and we look forward to working with government to share the lessons learned and shape fiscal devolution which will allow councils to retain 100 per cent of business rates. It is important that devolution is properly evaluated so that achievements are captured and shared. However, we would urge government to continue to use the processes agreed in each deal, together with the Secretary of State's annual report, rather than impose a national framework.

"Councils are under significant funding pressures at a time of rising demand on local services but devolution is one of the tools that will help their commitment to deliver more homes and infrastructure, create jobs and a skilled workforce and join up health and care services for elderly and vulnerable people.

"Devolution is the start of a new era for local democracy but the process needs to be supported by fairer funding if councils are able to fully realise the potential of devolution to transform the lives of people living in their areas for the better and ultimately to boost the national economy by £80 billion."

View report: 

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmcomloc/369/369.pdf