Prospects for codifying the relationship between central and local government

Written evidence submitted by Councillor John Faulkner, High Peak Borough Council

I think there should be a fresh start in the relationship between Central Government and Local Government.

One of the problems has been that policy is handed down for local implementation without local buy in or enthusiasm for what is to be done. Things should be done locally with little or no strings where possible. Local responsibility and accountability should be established. More priorities should be decided locally. There will be national priorities which need delivering locally but Councils will need to be incentivised to achieve these, eg new house building.