Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU said:
“We would like to congratulate The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, the newly appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, and thank Robert Jenrick for his contributions in this role.
“While we look forward to continuing to work closely with the new Communities Secretary and his team, we know it is essential that measures are urgently taken to fix local government funding and provide a sustainable framework moving forward.
“We know that for any meaningful levelling up to occur across this country, local government needs to be at the heart of it. That means sustainable funding, a commitment to further decentralisation and a stronger voice for local government in national policy decisions.
“Everyone is buying into the idea that levelling up has replaced devolution but we know that you can’t have one without the other. Effective place-shaping has to be driven primarily by communities and citizens. Place-shaping without effective political devolution is a contradiction.”
ENDS
A New Settlement: place and wellbeing in local government
In June, we launched, A New Settlement: place and wellbeing in local government, in partnership with Queen Mary, University of London, with support from Research England. In this report, we argue that building back better after the pandemic must include a new settlement for place that reconnects the Government’s “levelling up” ambitions with the decentralisation of power in England.
About the Local Democracy Research Centre
The all-new Local Democracy Research Centre brings together experts from local government and academia to do practical research on some of the key challenges for local democracy around the world.Our research is guided and supported by LGIU’s global members. Through the Local Democracy Research Centre, we are developing a broad, international programme that engages universities and local authorities to develop new ideas and approaches for governance, municipalism and citizen participation. The projects are rooted in practice but draw on insights and ideas from academia.
About LGIU
LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) was established in 1983 as an independent, not-for-profit local authority membership organisation and think tank. Now as LGIU England & Wales, LGIU Scotland, LGIU Ireland and LGIU Australia we work for and with local authorities around the world, helping them to serve their citizens more effectively. Our members are councils and other organisations with an interest in local government.
We provide the unrivalled intelligence and support that officers and councillors need every day. We work with our members and other stakeholders to drive forward the ideas and solutions needed to provide sustainable public services in the future. And we deliver the commentary that makes the value of local government clear to all.
LGiU Briefings – free access for press
You have access to our briefings service for free. Our team of expert associates produce over 300 briefings each year on topics ranging from children’s services and planning to local economic growth and Brexit. They are written in an easily digestible format for councillors and council staff. We also have an archive of 2000+ briefings here if you’re looking for further background on any specific local government-related issues.
