Commenting on the Government’s recently published Levelling Up
White Paper, Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Chair of the District
Councils Network said:
“District councils are eager to be in the vanguard of levelling
up because we’re already doing it. Our proximity to 100% of
residents and businesses in our communities, our local convening
power and our proven track record of delivery on the ground make
us ideally placed to do that in market towns, cathedral cities,
coastal communities and rural areas across England. Our 183
member councils are the biggest and most trusted part of local
government.
“Overall, we feel the Levelling Up White Paper is a missed
opportunity to integrate the unique value of district councils
into an ambitious plan for the future of our country.
“We believe devolution can play a positive role in giving local
areas the powers they need to tackle economic and social
inequality. We’re pleased that the Government has confirmed there
will be no top-down reorganisation of local government. But the
proposals for County Deals have really missed a trick and have
the potential to cause unnecessary tension. They don’t treat
districts as equal partners and recognise the indispensable part
we must have in making a success of devolution. Our member
councils in the nine pathfinder areas will seek to work
constructively with their local partners to develop the best
possible deals for the residents and businesses they serve. But
we’re calling on the Government for stronger recognition of the
valuable role districts can play and a formal duty for local
partners to collaborate with district councils in all pathfinder
areas.
“We’re sceptical about how the Government proposes to encourage
the expansion of town and parish councils and other community
groups. Town and parish councils play an important role at the
hyper local level, however their capacity is variable and not all
areas have parishes. We believe community empowerment can help
deliver better local services. What matters is how this is done.
Despite good intentions, we’re concerned that this will cause
confusion, disrupt local relationships that work well and clog up
local systems, such as housing and planning. It also has the
potential to add to the cost of local government at the expense
of spending money on the local services our residents need. It’s
essential that all parts of local government are given a genuine
chance to shape the policy design here.
“The White Paper should have gone further in some places. There’s
little or no new funding for councils to deliver net zero. Local
government can reduce national emissions by 30% in the race to
zero carbon. This could easily be integrated into the levelling
up agenda with the right funding and incentives. The White Paper
also underpays the role district councils – in conjunction with
the private sector - could have in regenerating town centres,
driving local economic growth and restoring local pride.
“There are things to welcome. It’s good that the new UK Shared
Prosperity Fund will give local places the freedom and long-term
certainty to invest in regeneration projects that work for their
communities. The Government has recognised the benefit of
allocating a substantial proportion of the funding to district
councils. This is a testament to our record in delivering
regeneration funding, supporting local businesses and driving
local economic growth.”
