Responding to the Queen’s Speech announced today, , Chairman of the Local
Government Association, said:
“It is hugely concerning that the Government has not reintroduced
the Local Government Finance Bill in the Queen’s Speech. The Bill
was setting out the framework towards allowing local government
in England to keep all of the £26 billion in business rates it
raises locally each year and providing powers for Mayoral
Combined Authorities and the Greater London Authority to raise an
Infrastructure Supplement.
“Councils are facing an overall £5.8 billion funding gap by 2020.
The Government needs to commit to using its existing powers to
keep working with local government to continue these vital
reforms. Local government collectively must keep every penny they
raise locally in taxation to spend on local services to help
secure the long-term financial sustainability of councils
and ease the pressure facing the public services our
communities rely on. Plans to develop a fairer system of
distributing funding to councils must also continue.
“We are in an unprecedented time for our country and it is clear
that the coming years will bring some of the biggest challenges
seen in a generation.
"The UK's exit from the European Union will have a significant
impact on local government and the people we represent, creating
challenges that need to be addressed but also opportunities to do
things differently.
"Local government must play a central role in deciding whether to
keep, amend or scrap the EU laws which impact on the council
services that affect people’s day-to-day lives, once they are
converted into domestic law. Brexit should not simply mean a
transfer of powers from Brussels to Westminster, Holyrood,
Stormont and Cardiff Bay. It must lead to new legislative
freedoms and flexibilities for councils so that residents and
businesses benefit.
“While negotiating Brexit will be a huge challenge for the
Government, it cannot be a distraction from the challenges facing
our public services. The day-to-day concerns of our communities
go far beyond Brexit.
“To build desperately-needed homes, create jobs and school
places, provide the dignified care for our elderly and disabled
and boost economic growth, all councils also need freedom from
central government to be able to take decisions over vital
services in their area. Only with adequate funding and the right
powers can local government help the Government tackle the
challenges facing our nation now and in the future.”
