Localism think tank calls for PM’s ‘devolution presumption’ to be given teeth

February 21, 2011

The New Local Government Network (NLGN) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a presumption that services should be delivered at the lowest possible level. In doing so however, the localism think tank has warned that proper legislation is needed to ensure there is a duty on all tiers of government to devolve public service delivery to the lowest and most appropriate level.

NLGN Director, Simon Parker said:

“A presumption in favour of devolution of services could radically shift power away from the corridors of Whitehall to local communities, but only if proper legislative mechanisms are in place to drive decentralisation. This requires a radical reappraisal of what services should be delivered centrally. Put simply, the burden of proof should be on central government to justify its powers – a move away from ‘earned autonomy’ towards ‘earned centralisation’.”

“No part of the state should be immune from the forces of localism and local communities should have the ‘right to bid’ to take control of services. For many years, Whitehall departments have been stubbornly resistant to decentralisation. A duty to devolve would force them to let go of the top down levers, putting communities in far greater control of services in their area. This would give the government’s localism agenda real teeth.”

NLGN has also welcomed the introduction of a presumption that public services should be open to a range of providers, while ensuring the mistakes of ‘CCT’ are not repeated. Director, Simon Parker said:

“Bold reforms to open up contestability are welcome, and we should maximise innovation from across all sectors – in the Big Society spirit. We must ensure though that this is geared to improving the quality of services and not just a return to Compulsory Competitive Tendering, where using the private sector simply equated with a rush for the cheapest price.”

Notes for editors:

The New Local Government Network (NLGN) has been at the forefront of the localism agenda since 1996. Under its new Director Simon Parker, NLGN continues to lead the drive for decentralisation, stronger communities and more innovative councils. For further details visit: www.nlgn.org.uk

NLGN has been calling for the ‘right to bid’ for services to be expanded to all parts of the state in the Localism Bill, and has previously recommended a legislative duty to devolve, earned centralisation and a presumption in favour of devolution in a 2009 report ‘Challenging perspectives: improving Whitehall’s spatial awareness’

NLGN media enquiries to 020 7469 2663 / 020 7469 2665


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