Thomas Bridge 02 January 2014

Cities should 'share' proceeds of growth, think tank says

City budgets should reflect local successes and ‘share’ the proceeds of employment growth with the Treasury, a think tank has said.

With government spending on economic development continuing to favour London and the South East, council leaders in Manchester, Liverpool, the North East, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire must ‘speak with a single voice’ to help rebalance the economy – according to IPPR North.

Cities across England should be entitled to claim ‘cashback’ from the Treasury for introducing measures that successfully boost local employment, the Rebalancing the books report claims.

Arguing town halls need to find a ‘Boris of the North’ to promote investment, the think tank said top priority infrastructure schemes had to be identified on a similar scale to London’s Crossrail.

IPPR North said the five combined authorities in existence in the North by 2015 should be well placed to take on greater powers over council tax and business rates, alongside place-based budgets ‘carved out’ of central departments.

Director of IPPR North, Ed Cox, said: ‘The prime minister used to talk about the public “sharing in the proceeds of growth” and that’s the same logic he should apply to cities in the North of England.

‘Cities which have the greatest potential for growth also have the worst poverty and unemployment. An “earnback deal” would provide an even greater incentive to invest in employment schemes which will not only finance growth, but will also help relieve poverty.’

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has said this year’s funding settlement ‘tried to be fair to every part of the country’, with decentralisation of local government finance putting councils ‘in the driving seat’.

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner