The G20 summit dominated the news last week with stories of global recession, co-ordinated economic response and wide-scale protests.
But it is becoming increasingly clear that there are local ramifications and communities are beginning to feel the impact.
It is during such times that people look to their local councils to provide local solutions to the problems facing their communities.
The Government at present seems willing to give local authorities additional freedoms and flexibilities to meet this challenge.
The recent announcement removing new build council housing from the HRA ring-fence could be a significant step forward provided the detail of how the scheme will operate does not negate the good intentions. At the heart of this proposal is the concept that local authorities can keep the income arising from their capital investment.
Contrast this with the position where local authorities invest in their general local communities and economies. A number of authorities are looking at ways they can stimulate local economies and infrastructure.
What is preventing many of these projects coming to life is an inability to capture at least a portion of the economic benefits they bring. The business growth initiative provided some access to growth in business rates for local authorities, but future incomes were uncertain and difficult to predict.
While it is reasonable to expect local authorities to take on an element of risk if they fail to draw businesses into such schemes, it is important they have some control and influence over these risks.
We would suggest the time is now right to give consideration to how local authorities can gain access to at least a portion of business rates.
Now is the time to allow local authorities to work with businesses supported by a fiscal relationship.
Alison Scott is director of corporate services at Carlisle City Council
Highway Maintenance Budgets: The Long View
Mark Stevens, ADEPT, talks about local authority highway maintenance budgets, looking at how they have been impacted over the years by funding cuts.
