Empowering Local Government
The Commission on Political Power has today (Friday 10 January 2025) published a report calling for empowerment of local government as the foundation stone of our democracy. The independent group says that local government is closest to people's daily concerns and is the best understood element of the constitution.
The briefing paper suggests six options for transferring power to local government:
1. Reform of council tax should include a redistributive system to make it a fairer way of funding local services
2. A new financial settlement should be a radical overhaul that means longer term arrangements
3. New income ideas should be welcomed including versions of road pricing and a tourist tax
4. Energising local democracy must include giving councils more powers to coordinate health, transport and planning
5. New powers over schools, energy schemes and land use must be given to councils
6. A new body to provide scrutiny and standards needs to be set up alongside better training and remuneration for councillors
The Commission states that the UK is a highly centralised state and powers have been taken from local organisations.
The crisis in local funding has resulted in dangerous levels of debt meaning the hollowing out of local amenities like libraries and cultural activities and this requires urgent action.
The full paper can be found on the Commission website at:
Options paper 6: Empowering Local Government
The Commission held a series of seminars with key experts and notes from the meetings can be found here:
Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse
Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin