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Strong and Prosperous Communities The Local Government White Paper

Strong and Prosperous Communities The Local Government White Paper. 2006. Where we are. Huge improvement in public services and local authority performance since 1997 driven by massive investment, top-down performance management and hard work by local government and others on the ground

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Strong and Prosperous Communities The Local Government White Paper

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  1. Strong and Prosperous CommunitiesThe Local Government White Paper 2006

  2. Where we are • Huge improvement in public services and local authority performance since 1997 driven by massive investment, top-down performance management and hard work by local government and others on the ground • However, there are new and complex challenges which require joined-up responses on tough cross-cutting issues, like social exclusion • Expectations have also increased: people expect more say, personalised services and higher standards • Our response to these challenges: a radical, devolutionary White Paper which fundamentally re-balances the relationship between central and local government.

  3. The Deal • The offer • A stronger role for local authorities to lead their communities, shape their areas and bring local public services together • More space for local authorities and other local service providers to innovate and respond to local needs • Stronger focus on top priorities • In exchange for • More bottom-up accountability • Stronger local authority leadership • Better and more efficient services • Tougher intervention when things go wrong

  4. Our proposals • Product of extensive debate and consultation • Based on experience of best local authorities working with their partners • Proposals: • Empowers citizens and communities • Create stronger and more visible leadership • Put in place a new framework within which local authorities and their partners can work • Offer the tools local government needs and helps all areas tackle the challenges of the 21st Century and achieve their potential

  5. New Relationships • Fundamentally rebalance the central-local relationship: • Single set of national outcome indicators (agreed through CSR) • Small number of targets agreed with each area (35, plus DfES statutory targets) • Reformed, more-risk-based and better targeted inspection regime • More accountable and responsive services at local level • Enhanced right to be heard: Community Call for Action and encourage petitions • Promoting community ownership and management of assets • Involving and consulting service users and providing better information • Stronger role for local authorities as place-shapers and local leaders • Local authorities to develop Local Area Agreements in partnership with other agencies • New role for LSPs and thematic partnerships • Place duty on named partners to co-operate in agreeing LAA targets and to have regard to meeting them • Presumption that all area based funding will go through LAAs

  6. Better Governance • Stronger and more stable local authority leadership • 3 options – mayors, elected executives and indirectly elected leaders with a 4 year term • Permissive approach to whole Council elections and single member wards • Restructuring in a small number of county areas and improved two-tier working. • Councillors as democratic champions • Championing the interests of citizens and driving service improvement • Strengthening and broadening Overview & Scrutiny • Promoting the involvement of under-represented groups as Councillors • Taking forward the debate on economic development in towns, cities and regions • Strong cities and strong regions • DfT reforms to Passenger Transport Authorities • Multi-Area Agreements • Further work in the run up to CSR07

  7. In Five Years’ Time • A new look for local government – more confident, more proactive, more innovative, more in tune with their communities. • A new relationship: • between central and local government • between local partners • between citizens and local government.

  8. Local Challenges and Ambitions Sustainable Community Strategy Local consultation through the LSP with Partners and Stakeholders Key: LSP=Local Strategic Partnership CSR = Comprehensive Spending Review GO= Government Office (regional) DfES = Department for Education & Skills LAA = Local Area Agreement CSR07 national priority outcomes & 200 national indicators LSP view of local priorities Cross –Govt view through GOs on local priorities Negotiation and agreement ‘Non-designated’ targets monitored only by LSP Local priorities and targets Local accountability to citizens ‘Designated’ targets monitored by LSP and GO 18 statutory DfES targets ~35 targets LAA Better outcomes for citizens Added slide Source: Department Communities and Local Government – June 2007

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