LGA Conference: Denham pledges new influence for councils

Communities secretary, John Denham, will announce plans to give councils more ‘influence’ over public services locally when he speaks to the LGA conference today.

Earlier this week, the prime minister announced his plans for the future of public sector reform, including more autonomy over housing allocations, and extra cash to build new homes.

But, despite revealing details of health and education commitments, and calling for a strengthened relationship with local government and a ‘citizen first’ approach, Gordon Brown fell short of offering councils greater influence over other public services in their area.

The next part in the public services jigsaw will be in a consultation announced to the conference by Mr Denham. It will look at:

• how power can be further devolved to local authorities
• how accountability can be ensured
• and how to put the relationship between central and local government on a surer footing.

In addition, he will say:

• local councils will be able to influence all public money spent in their area and ensure citizens get value for money
• local authorities will get new powers for new responsibilities – such as cutting carbon emissions
• accountability must be appropriate where there is greater power – such as city regions and MAAs.

Mr Denham will tell the conference he wants councils with ‘real bite’ and more control over their communities. ‘That means central government prepared to cede some of its powers and local councils becoming more accountable for theirs.’

However, he will warn: ‘Local government starts with the citizen, not local councils.’

The consultation could form part of the Constitutional Reform Bill, mentioned in the draft legislative programme which was also set out by Mr Brown this week. The Bill was one of five expected to come ‘over the next year’ – prompting fears that it could be halted by a change in government before it becomes law.

Director of the Local Government Information Unit, Andy Sawford, said Mr Brown’s document was ‘peppered with references to local government, but in the detail, it disappoints’.

Mr Sawford argued giving more powers could be done now in the Local Democracy Bill.  ‘We don’t need to wait for a Constitutional Reform Bill. If ministers wanted to do it, they can,’ he said.

Draft legislative programme for local government issues:

• The Constitutional Reform Bill – one of five expected to come ‘over the next year’ – so any changes to local government in the constitution could be frozen out by a change of government before the Bill is passed
• Child Poverty Bill – will establish an accountability framework for tackling child poverty at a local and national level
• Improving Schools And Safeguarding Children Bill – will clarify the role of Ofsted and other inspectorates inspecting Local Safeguarding Children’s boards
• Flood And Water Management Bill – implementing plans from Sir Michael Pitt’s report. Will include giving the lead to local authorities in risk, and putting a duty on bodies to co-operate.