In these difficult times, councils have two basic choices – retrench or renew. The NLGN's Next Localism Commission wants to help public servants and councillors develop the next generation of local authorities.
From health to finance, the policy environment for local government is changing at breakneck speed. Ministers are starting to claim that their much-touted period of ‘creative chaos’ is coming to an end as they implement much of the coalition agreement and start to move on to implementation.
But even if that is true in Whitehall, at the local level it often feels like the chaos is only just starting. That’s where NLGN’s Commission on Next Localism comes in.
More than ever before, local government needs the space to get together with its partners to generate new ideas to meet the developing challenges. Our Commission will provide that space: over the next year, through a series of research projects, seminars and in assembling some of the leading creative thinkers in the sector, we plan to look at almost every aspect of local government, from politics to bin collection and from finance to future operating models.
We know that these are deeply challenging times to be working in local government – and ministers are often not doing enough to help. On current trends, it seems we are entering a long period of austerity, with limited finances, central government divesting itself of responsibility and a radical but often incoherent new legislative framework. However amongst all the uncertainty, there are real opportunities.
The biggest of all is the chance to make a reality of localism – if local government can handle the coming challenges with its customary skills, and bring innovation and creativity to bear on reshaping the public service settlement, then there is a real chance to change the way the UK is governed.
Our Commission’s task is to develop and realise a model of 'Next Localism' that brings sense to the confusion and implements a profound and irreversible process of devolution across our public services.
We can already see progress being made in local authorities as councillors take bold decisions to rethink how they serve and interact with their constituents; likewise, ministers have begun to enshrine community empowerment in legislation.
In these difficult times, councils have two basic choices – retrench or renew. Our Commission’s preference is clear, and we want to be part of helping public servants and councillors develop the next generation of local authorities.
Localism offers the best chance to sustain and improve high quality public services. It will take ambition, innovation, collaboration and bold leadership to make happen. We invite all who share our vision to contribute to our research and drive forward the 'Next Localism'.
Simon Parker is director of the New Local Government Network. Watch the Public Finance video interview with him on Next Localism.
