The UK Experience by Malcolm Morley*
A groundbreaking agreement has been signed between the
UK Government and the Local Government Association to establish a framework of principles for how Central and Local Government will work together to serve the public. The agreement recognises that Central and Local Government are partners in delivering improved services and in strengthening democracy and that they will jointly pursue the following objectives:
- to create and sustain thriving communities, where people want
to live, work, bring up their families and retire; where they can
reach services; and with access to decent homes at a price they
can afford - to tackle antisocial behaviour and crime and promote good
health - to improve outcomes for children, young people and families
- to anticipate the needs and aspirations of an ageing society through
preventative measures that encourage greater independence and
wellbeing for older citizens - to nurture business and enterprise, increasing skills and
employment and creating wealth and rising prosperity, shared
by all - to protect and enhance the environment, tackle climate change
and pollution - to support a thriving third sector of local voluntary organisations,
community groups and social enterprises - to promote a pluralist, healthy democracy with tolerance, decency
and respect at its heart, without space for political or religious
extremism - to promote high standards of conduct in public life.
In delivering these objectives there will be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level. There will also be recognition that Central Government has the right to set national policies, including minimum standards of services, to work with local areas to support them and, as a last resort, to intervene to avoid significant underperformance. In exercising these rights Central Government has the responsibility to consult and collaborate with Councils and it has undertaken to progressively remove obstacles that prevent Councils from pursuing their role.
Councils have the right to address the priorities of their communities as expressed through local elections and to lead the delivery of public services in their area and shape its future without unnecessary direction or control. Councils also have the responsibility to provide leadership that is accountable, visible and responsive to their communities and to work in partnership to drive continuing improvement. Both partners have the responsibility to use taxpayers’ money well and devolve power, and to engage and empower communities and individual citizens – at national level and at local level – in debate and decision making and in shaping and delivering services.
A key role of Local Government is place shaping. Responding to and influencing local views on the future development and nature of communities and working in partnership to deliver that vision. This is the very essence of community leadership.
Central Government policies and resource allocations often have a significant impact on a Council’s ability to deliver the tangible manifestation of their community leadership.
It will be vital to the future credibility of this important concordat to see how Central Government bodies and agencies are given the freedom to be flexible locally to support that community leadership.
*Malcolm Morley is Chief Executive of Harlow District Council and can be contacted via the Editor, email info@lgfocus.com.au The views expressed in this
article are not necessarily those of his employer.
