Proposals have been laid out by the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner MP in the English Devolution White Paper for changes in the way local government is organised.
The reforms outlined will have a significant impact on every council and community. Among the suggestions is the formation of unitary councils that would be responsible for delivering a wider range of services through one council and across a larger area than the district and county councils currently do separately, but in tandem.
Whilst waiting on further detail of what is proposed and the government’s next steps and timelines for achieving this, North Kesteven District Council Leader Cllr Richard Wright said he will be engaging closely in the consultation and championing the ‘local’ in Local Government.
Here’s his statement:
“Local government works best when it is close to communities, when it champions the local and gives a democratic voice to the places it represents.
As the Government moves forward its proposal for reorganising local government through the English Devolution White Paper, it is important to engage in those discussions and explorations and to emphasise the value in local connectivity evidenced at district council level. Any reorganisation also needs to take a whole-systems approach, exploring the links and opportunities for the integration of health, care and police services within new models of governance.
At North Kesteven District Council we will watch these developments closely and contribute positively, always championing the local in local government.
The whole point of local government is that it is governed locally. It’s about making a difference locally that positively impacts on local place, local lives, local opportunities and outcomes and all of that should be delivered as close to the action as possible.
From its 50 years of relating to and responding to the community’s needs, both directly as the area’s District Council and through more broad partnerships that positively influence outcomes on a county-wide, regional and even national level, North Kesteven has a lot of experience and exemplary showcasing to assist in framing the debate.
At this stage we are focused on the emerging new county combined authority that will direct devolved powers and funds to be received on a Greater Lincolnshire geography, but whatever the proposed outcome of the English Devolution White Paper, we would argue for three key principles:
- Firstly – We should be clear on what we are trying to achieve in terms of purpose, vision and values and that the institutions should be shaped to deliver these, rather than the other way round.
- Secondly – Where connectivity to communities strengthens cohesion; promoting a place-based approach that champions the ‘local' is key.
- Thirdly – We need to take a whole systems approach; placing any local government reform within a comprehensive approach to broader constitutional reform, governance and even more devolution.
As you would expect, we passionately believe in the power of district councils to deliver positive outcomes for the places they serve. I also believe North Kesteven is a brilliant example of the power of ‘the local’ to change lives, shape communities for the better and champion local democratic engagement.
We deliver more, better homes; build opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic development; lead on climate action locally, provide for better wellbeing; transform lives through health, leisure and cultural enrichment; and provide excellence across a range of services that are relied upon daily. In these and many other ways, we believe that district councils like ours represent the stability and assurance the government will require as the logical foundation stones on which to build a new model of local government, where locality and place are strong and evident.