20 May 2005
Council leaders met ministers in the new government for the first time this week just one day after a far-reaching programme of legislation was laid out in the Queen's Speech.
The two sides gathered for the first Central-Local Partnership meeting of the new Parliament on May 18, bringing together the Local Government Association's top brass with six members of the Cabinet and an array of government ministers.
The government's ambitious public service reform programme, at the forefront of the legislative programme outlined to MPs and peers on May 17, underpinned the discussions.
LGA representatives have sought to impress upon the new government that, with 45 Bills to get through during a marathon 18-month legislative session, it will need to back its localist rhetoric with action and abandon its target-based centralist approach.
LGA chair Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart told Public Finance there was optimism among local government leaders that they could forge a productive relationship with the new ministerial team, leading to improved local services.
But he made clear that this would not be at the expense of standing up for local authorities' interests. 'We expect relations to be constructive, but based upon open and honest discussion where we set out where we agree and where we disagree,' he told PF.
The legislative programme outlined by the government offers plenty of potential for disagreements, handing town halls many new responsibilities. They will be in the vanguard of the drive to create safer communities and clampdown on antisocial behaviour, reflecting the twin themes of 'respect and reform' encapsulated by the Queen's Speech.
Measures tackling yobbish behaviour in town centres, banning the sale of knives to under-18s and clamping down on vandalism have been promised.
But questions are already being raised over what exactly councils are being asked to do and how these activities will be resourced.
Authorities are also keen to clarify their role in the proposed new system for managing offenders in the community, particularly in relation to crime prevention work.
Meanwhile, sweeping changes to the education system could result in councils losing direct control over many of their schools if they decide to opt out.
Other measures outlined, such as reforms to the electoral administration system and the duty to ensure adequate childcare, will have to be implemented by councils. They will also be expected to enforce the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and the new protections for common land.
But there was one notable omission from the speech: a Bill reforming the local government finance system. This means that no reforms will be laid before Parliament for at least 18 months.
Bruce-Lockhart said the government must address the issue urgently. 'The public demands urgent reform of the broken council tax system, a set of reforms that will restore the public's confidence that local government is properly funded and local spending decisions are effective, fair and accountable.'
PFmay2005
