The LGA Independent Group’s annual conference discussed devolution
As in many councils, the ‘day job’ at the LGA is preoccupied with the proposals for local government reorganisation in the English Devolution White Paper – currently being branded as ‘devolution’, but not to our councils.
Our LGA Independent Group conference last month was fully booked, and the debate on the white paper was the hottest we have had in a long time.
Our members succinctly and powerfully raised concerns about the scale and pace of the Government’s proposals. Many felt the lack of consultation and proper engagement with members of all groups and the public demonstrated the very point – a lack of democratic accountability – that could be an indication of things to come.
Our members who have moved from districts to larger unitaries explained how challenging they found keeping the connection with residents over large areas, making it difficult to represent their residents properly. Many found the increase in time commitment difficult, alongside earning a living to keep a roof over their heads. That makes it harder to get diverse representation or younger people from all walks of life, and harder to be seen as credible local voices.
“Councils are not just an efficient delivery mechanism for central government”
We know that Independents and smaller parties can better reflect local views because they do not have to follow the position and dictates of a big national party. I fear this reorganisation and pulling up of powers will mean a dramatic loss of ability for local people to get their voice heard.
There is no reason why existing councils couldn’t work together to be more efficient and create real devolution by handing down power, rather than creating new structures that are convenient for central government.
In many areas, we have already made these savings, but kept our local identity of place and our accountability.
We have looked closely at powers in the white paper, and it is clear this is centralising power – not dispersing it to the most appropriate local level.
Councils are not just an efficient delivery mechanism for central government. We are democratic organisations that listens to people and changes the services to match what local people want and need.
At the conference, we also hosted sessions on climate change, children’s services and councillor standards, as well as hearing about the support available to all our members from our excellent LGA regional lead peers.
We had 86 nominations for the Independent Group’s Clarence Barrett Award, jointly won by Councillors Kevin Etheridge, of Caerphilly Council, and Hannah Dalton, of Epsom and Ewell Council. Commendations and citations followed, in a heartwarming presentation, for the huge amount of work achieved by our councillors for their residents and, through the LGA, for their country.
Our Be a Councillor and regional events are in full swing – weekly, online with the Independent Network, and regionally in Cornwall and Newcastle so far, and in Lincoln this month. It’s always heartening to meet and hear the enthusiasm from prospective councillors, keen to make a difference and represent their local communities. With local government reorganisation, we need to up our game to win these larger seats