LGA Councillors’ Forum: LGIU responds to the Deputy PM’s first speech to local government

At today’s LGA Councillor Forum, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner MP and Minister for Local Government, Jim McMahon MP signalled a long overdue reset of the relationship between local government and Westminster.

LGIU Chief Executive, Jonathan Carr-West said: “The Government’s commitment in the King’s Speech to devolution and the new Council of the Nations and Regions were welcome signals of the direction of travel. But today’s speech by Angela Raynor at the LGA’s Councillors’ Forum provides the clearest indication so far that the government recognises the catastrophic financial situation that the sector faces.

It was heartening to hear so many of the priorities from LGIU’s manifesto For the Future of Local Government reflected in the intentions outlined today by the Secretary of State and the Minister. Their recognition of the urgent need for emergency social care funding, the intention to end competitive bid funding, the acknowledgement of the need for a collaborative approach to intervention in struggling councils – all these are measures which the LGIU has long advocated for.

But it was the nuance and the respect today that gave us the most cause for optimism. The Secretary of State thanked local government for its hard work and dedication – that is a big deal.

There are still open questions. On the representation of local government, we have been very clear that the Council of the Nations and Regions can’t just be about Mayors and that tension seems to be appreciated by this government.

This isn’t the end of the process, this is the beginning, but it is a promising start and the sector stands ready to work in partnership with the Government to deliver our shared priorities.”