Laura Sharman 21 October 2020

Streamline local government under plans to save £30bn a year, think tank argues

Streamlining local government and selling off high-value council properties could save billions every year, according to a think tank.

A new report from the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) has set out how the Government could save at least £30bn a year without affecting frontline services.

The nine proposals include selling high-value council properties as soon as they become vacant, using part of the receipts to pay for a local replacement. The report estimates this would generate £1.5bn a year in savings.

It also argues that pushing local government to streamline its functions and its administrative costs would save £1bn a year. The report urges the Government to publish league tables on administrative costs in local authorities to help reinforce this.

The report argues: 'Too often the egos of local politicians can get in the way of working between council functions. We therefore propose that the Government should encourage greater sharing of functions, and could even facilitate the ‘pooling’ of services or procurement across multiple councils in order to generate savings.

’It should also consider greater monitoring of the non-frontline costs of councils and publishing this data centrally to help push councils towards greater use of shared services and procurement. Doing this can help deliver the savings from full unitarisation without the costs.’

Other proposals in the report include the sale and lease back of public sector land, reducing Government administrative staff and cutting the number of quangos.

Alex Morton, head of policy at the CPS, said: ‘This package of savings is simultaneously radical but realistic – delivering better value for money for voters and allowing the Government to continue funding its priorities. We strongly encourage the chancellor and his team to explore our suggestions ahead of the Spending Review and Budget, and to identify any further savings that can be made.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner