Government risks offering only “pritt stick localism” says think tank

January 25, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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MEDIA RELEASE

All NLGN media enquiries to James Mole at jmole@nlgn.org.uk or 0207 4692663 / 07889 075108

In evidence to the Department of Communities and Local Government Select Committee, Localism think tank NLGN called on central government to earn its right to exercise power.

NLGN is calling for central government to be subject to a new ‘right to bid’, with councils allowed to bid for parts of the health, schools and policing budgets, aimed at empowering local government bodies and reversing 40 to 50 years of creeping centralisation.

NLGN Director Simon Parker said afterwards:

“The Localism Bill has lots of good measures in it, but there is still a great deal of work to do. As I said in my evidence, NLGN will be running a commission on the future of local government to look at what local communities need in order to function most effectively. Many of the most important reforms for councils – such as financial autonomy and our proposed right to bid – need cross-government support.”

“Accusations of ‘lipstick localism’ are a little unfair but there does need to be a bigger commitment from all government departments to empower local communities. We will otherwise be left with ‘pritt stick’ localism which will easily come unstuck without mechanisms to drive decentralisation across Whitehall”

“The CLG’s Localism Bill is a good first step in removing some barriers to local empowerment, but the whole government must now take up this challenge”

NLGN has consistently called for greater powers for local government, particularly in relation to control over budgets and the ability to raise money through measures including charges and flexible business rates.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. For a full copy of the evidence submitted to the DCLG Select Committee by NLGN, please contact James Mole at jmole@nlgn.org.uk or 0207 4692663 / 07889 075 108.
2. NLGN advocated the ‘Right to Challenge’ in our press release, No part of the state should be immune from the forces of localism, on January 14th 2011 prior to the second reading of the Localism Bill.
3. Think tank IPPR referred to the Localism Bill as “lipstick localism” in a press release on 13th December 2010, Without financial powers, Pickles’ Bill is ‘lipstick localism’.
4. The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is an independent think tank committed to promoting the decentralisation of power, public service reform, enhancing local governance and empowering communities. Through expert research and our diverse networks we seek to influence the political and policy agenda. www.nlgn.org.uk.


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