Memorandum from Harpenden Town Council (BOP 48)

 

Thank you for inviting the Town Council's comments on the Select Committees' Inquiry into the Balance of Power: Central and Local Government. It is noted the Committee will focus on certain questions and the Council has addressed these as follows:-

 

Further Devolution

· Does Local Government need greater autonomy from Central Government? If so, in what ways?

 

The Town Council would agree that Local Government needs greater autonomy from Central Government. By so doing it would give greater freedom to principal authorities to devolve services to the first year of Local Government, the tier closest to the community. The contradiction in providing greater autonomy to deliver services by principal authorities is that Central Government needs to be assured that principal authorities are devolving services. This is not the case, and whilst Central Government hold on to the reigns of principal authorities, they in turn are reluctant to relinquish powers, duties or services to community led authorities.

 

· Does Local Government's Role and Influence need to be strengthened in relation to other public services, such as policing and health?

 

It is considered that Local Government's Role does need to be strengthened in areas such as policing and health. By working more closely with these agencies it is anticipated that this will be more productive and focused service delivery will be achieved. It will also ensure greater accountability in the community for the position that these public services take.

 

· Financial Autonomy

To what extent do the current arrangements for Local Government Funding act as a barrier to Local Authorities fulfilling their 'place shaping' role?

 

With the greater demands being placed on Local Councils to fulfil a wide range of duties and responsibilities to provide a sustainable community, whilst making it a desirable place for residents to live, there is a greater need on resourcing these activities. At Local Council level the greater emphasis on creating 'identity' and 'place shaping' does require an equitable distribution of Central Government Funding, which is not the case. Currently Central Government only distribute funding to principal authorities. Often their priorities are not the same as the Local Council and the funding does not find its way down to the community level. If greater financial freedom was provided to Local Councils it could only be expected to deliver if the funding from the principal authorities came with it.

 

Capping of Council Tax rises tends to create a strong, deep and cynical suspicion that more duties are being placed upon Councils without the finances.

 

Town and Parish Councils only raise their precept through local residents. There is no alternative form of funding. As a consequence, to consider capping at Local Council level would be inappropriate. Local Councils find that residents, who have unprecedented access to their local representatives, let their feelings be known should the precept be increased unreasonably or without justification. This is usually through the ballot box every four years.

 

· Existing Powers

 

Local Government services are a product of National rather than local decision making. In many incidents the greater cause for concern at Local Council level is the often highhanded and overbearing view by the principal authority that it is inappropriate to devolve services, powers or duties to Local Councils. As such, it is difficult for Local Councils to make adequate use of existing powers. Principally, this is driven by funding and the lack of desire or intent by principal authorities to release funds to Local Councils in order to allow them to expand their range of functions.

 

· Improving Relationship between Central and Local Government

 

The Central Local Concordat has not made any difference to central/local relations. The fact that there is no finance following has not encouraged any great activity in this area.

 

The Town Council would object to an Independent Commission being established to oversee the financial settlement for Local Government as this just adds another tier of bureaucracy.

 

Whilst Central Government does not empower Local Councils by enabling them to have a stronger say in what services should be delivered at a local level, then efficiencies and more focused serviced delivery cannot be achieved successfully. Principal authorities are reluctant to release powers to Local Councils as they are struggling to release themselves from Central Governments overriding authority and the restraints it places on principal Councils.

 

I hope that you find the comments of the Town Council of use and interest in your consideration of this issue. Thank you for inviting the views of Harpenden Town Council.

 

September 2008