The substance of the devolution bill must match the spirit
5 min read
We must not waste this opportunity to transform local government.
Local government in England is a closely knit patchwork. In every corner of the country, parish and town councils, principal authorities, regional and strategic authorities all work in tandem to deliver vital everyday services for residents.
As a longstanding supporter of the National Association of Local Councils, I know that England’s 10,000 parish and town councils act as the community tier of local government – closest to and deeply rooted in their communities and best placed to advocate for them.
All parish and town councils already do or have the potential to play a crucial role in improving their communities. They provide and protect the services people notice often in their daily lives – whether it’s keeping a local bus route running, maintaining much-loved parks and green spaces, grant funding for community groups, or organising the celebrations and festivals that bring people together. They enable housing, support local economies, drive climate action and foster civic pride. And much more.
Back in Westminster, the government’s far-reaching devolution legislation will begin its journey through Parliament in earnest from September. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rewire local government to place power back in the hands of communities.
The government’s core aims of the Bill are to apply a more consistent and simpler model of devolution, which can be delivered more quickly than current legislation allows, establishing a standardised framework of devolved powers, duties and functions, reforming the local government sector, and empowering communities.
This legislation is both welcome and long overdue. From my own conversations, I know that there is broad agreement across parties and chambers that local government in England needs urgent reform. Rewiring existing local government structures and putting more power in the hands of communities is not just desirable – it is essential.
In short, this is a crucial chance to strengthen and improve local governance in our villages, towns and cities, and from coast to country. But in order for this to happen, it is vital that parliamentarians work across parties and houses to ensure the best outcome for residents.
Back in December, when the government published the English Devolution White Paper, I applauded its promise to “rewire the relationship between town and parish councils and principal Local Authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice” and “work with the town and parish council sector to improve engagement between them and local authorities”.
I also welcomed other proposals which I have campaigned for, such as the power for councils to hold remote meetings, strengthening the standards regime with the introduction of tougher sanctions, reform to local audit, a community right to buy, and recognition of the role of councillors.
Since that time, the government has continued to work closely with NALC and parliamentarians like myself who are passionate about devolution and the vital role played by parish and town councils. I have been hugely encouraged by the government’s commitment to ensuring that parish and town councils are at the heart of local government reform and community empowerment.
As the Bill has its Second Reading on 2 September, this goodwill must be reflected in the final reform package.
That is why the NALC has established a ‘Westminster Forum’ to work closely with parliamentarians as the Bill progresses through Parliament. Today, I am issuing a “call to action” for all parliamentarians passionate about devolution – I would welcome your involvement in the Forum as we enter this critical period.
While the white paper and bill are a step in the right direction, one area that needs urgent focus is the final role of parish and town councils in the new landscape. While the Bill focuses on “neighbourhood governance” arrangements, true devolution must fully recognise and empower England’s 10,000 parish and town councils as the grassroots tier of local government and extend their coverage across all of England.
I welcome the fact that the government has confirmed parish and town councils will continue to play an important role in the local government landscape post-devolution and local government reform. But precisely how is still open to question and depends on the progress of the Bill.
There is a broad national demand for devolution, democratic accountability, well-run services, and community empowerment. Parish and town councils are the best way to ensure this.
Already, these councils are also the first and most accessible point of contact for residents –making their voice and role essential in the eventual devolution settlement.
Because devolution must be about putting decision-making closer to people, empowering communities to shape the places where they live and work. As the community tier of local government, parish and town councils are uniquely placed to make this vision a reality, to help make a success of devolution.
I look forward to working with more parliamentarians, both cross-party and cross-house, throughout the progress of the Bill. This is a golden opportunity to strengthen public service delivery across the country. We cannot miss it.
Baroness Ros Scott is a Liberal Democrat peer and President of the National Association of Local Councils.
