Date www.local.gov.uk

Five months to go…

How will local government fare in

the next parliament?

Carolyn Downs

Chief Executive

December 2014 www.local.gov.uk

‘It’s the economy, stupid!’

How that affects our income…

How that affects our income…

By service area?

Protecting budgets

Defence?

Protecting budgets

Fix broken funding? Fix care gap?

Possible solutions

• Single pot / place-based budgets

• Long-term financial settlements

• BCF

• Fiscal devolution

Digitisation

Devolving powers - Commissions

“The local

government

finance system is

broken […] it holds

back economic

growth”

“The Commission

calls for skills

funding to be the

responsibility of

city regions”

“A handful of

shires are ready

now for devolved

decision-making

about public

services and tax”

“Further

responsibility for

taxation and public

spending, including

elements of the

welfare system”

Devolving powers

• Transport

• Growth infrastructure

• Skills funding

• LEPs

• Economic Prosperity Boards

• Combined Authorities

• Public service reform

Devolution within England

Manifestos… the usual suspects?

“Anchor the employment and

skills system in local places”

“Devolve more power and

resources to groups of local

authorities and LEPs”

“Reverse a century of

centralisation”

“[We are] an usually

centralised country”

“Just as the people of

Scotland will have more

power over their affairs…

England, Wales and

Northern Ireland must have

a bigger say over theirs”

What about?

Or...

Lots to celebrate!

Big questions for the next parliament?

• Funding

• Public service reform

• Devolution