Responding to the announcement today on fast-track
devolution areas and election postponements, Cllr Louise Gittins,
Chair of the Local Government Association, said:
“Today's announcement on local elections as part of
local government reorganisation, and which areas will be
fast-tracked for devolution, will remove the uncertainty for
local areas affected but the tight deadline for them to submit
detailed proposals is challenging. We recognise that there will
be those who are disappointed too. The LGA is working at pace
with MHCLG and partner organisations to develop our support offer
for them, alongside those who have already been through – or
still going through – the devolution process, and those who are
not.
“We continue to press government to provide further
clarity on aspects of the reforms and timelines for devolution
and local government reorganisation (LGR), including for those
whose bids have not been approved as part of this initial
priority programme. As the Deputy Prime Minister rightly
highlighted today, councils are essential to promoting
sustainable and inclusive local economic growth and this clarity
is vital to help them play a key role in solving many of our
biggest national challenges.
“Government also needs to commit to funding
councils up front to deliver on these reforms. Areas that have
already gone through LGR have relied heavily on reserves to
unitarise and some estimations for one-off costs range from £25
to £100 million. It is imperative that any new unitary councils
are financially viable, and able to provide sustainable services
for communities in the long term.
“We want every council in England to have
the ability to secure devolution that works for them, their local
economies and their residents. However, devolution is not an end
in itself and cannot distract from the severe funding pressures
that are pushing local services to the brink. It is vital the
forthcoming Spending Review provides all councils with a
significant and sustained increase in overall funding that
reflects current and future demand for services.”
