Responding to the publication of the Government’s Integration
Strategy, Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government
Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:
“Councils recognise that we have a leading role in shaping our
communities and helping to create the environments in which
communities can live cohesively. The publication of this strategy
is a positive step, and we look forward to contributing to the
forthcoming consultation.
“Work to support the development of cohesion sits at the heart of
what councils do every day and councils, who are closest to the
residents they serve, are best placed to develop approaches for
their local area. The area-based programme announced alongside
the strategy, which recognises that challenges vary from area to
area, supports this approach.
“However, if we are to truly help create cohesive communities,
local government needs to have the powers and resources to be
able to do so. The supply of good quality housing, vibrant local
economies and excellent local education are all vital ingredients
of cohesion, but are areas in which councils’ powers have been
reduced over the years. Devolving more powers to councils in
these key areas is critical to supporting local areas, alongside
measures that help specific parts of our communities or bring
communities together.
“It’s essential that the new integration strategy helps and funds
councils to respond to local needs and councils will be
advocating for this in the consultation period.”
