Income tax money for mayors is a real step forward for devolution – next, proper funding for everyday council services can bring the benefits of local decision-making to every neighbourhood, the Local Councils Network (LCN) has said.
LCN was responding to today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that a share of income tax revenue will be devolved to mayors and strategic authorities.
Today’s announcement represents a significant move towards devolving decision-making about public spending, so that voters in different areas of the country can choose different policies that reflect their varied needs and priorities.
The LCN has long argued that real, well managed devolution that will make a tangible difference to the lives of ordinary people is only possible if local councils play a central role in delivering it. A sole focus on regional bodies, sometimes large enough to cover millions of people, is not sufficient. We believe that empowering local government to make significant spending decisions for their areas would bring decisions closer to communities and enable every part of the country to benefit.
In recent years, councils have endured larger funding reductions than almost any other part of the public sector. Despite this, they have continued to deliver a diverse portfolio of vital services including waste collection and street cleaning, adults’ and children’s social care, parks, gyms, libraries, planning, and housing and homelessness.
In response to today’s announcement, Cllr Richard Wright, Chair of the Local Councils Network, said:
“The people best placed to decide how money should be spent are the people who live in the communities it is meant to benefit. Giving Mayors more power and resources is a step forward, and councils stand ready to work with Mayors and Government to ensure devolution delivers real change for local people.
“But this cannot be where the process stops. Four in ten people in England still live in areas without a mayor or strategic authority. The Government must move faster so every community can benefit from the same opportunities and freedoms. The stated intention for strategic authorities to be in place by 2028 is therefore welcome.
“At the same time, we must not lose sight of the fact that councils remain the backbone of local government and are facing a severe funding crisis. The Prime Minister himself said councils had been left ‘threadbare’. Devolution should provide the resources councils need to maintain roads, clean streets, protect parks and keep libraries open. If the Government is serious about improving life in every postcode, councils must be empowered to help deliver it. We look forward to working with Government to turn that ambition into reality.”
