LGA response to Conservative green paper - control shift: returning power to local communities

17th February 2009

Following the publication of the Conservative Green Paper, Control Shift: Returning Power to Local Communities, the Chairman of the Local Government Association, Cllr Margaret Eaton, said:

"The Conservative Green Paper's on local government stated aim of giving more power to local councils and people is an excellent step in the right direction. The LGA has been encouraging all the political parties to move towards a more localist approach and away from central prescription and this demonstrates how our work has paid off.

"There are a number of proposals the LGA supports. A new relationship between local and central government is needed, and we are pleased that the Conservatives have adopted the LGA policy of a power of general competence. We share the desire to reduce the burden of council inspections and assessments and we support the incentives for housing growth."

Leader of the Conservative LGA Group, Cllr David Shakespeare, said:

"This Green paper clearly and unambiguously explains how the next Conservative Government will devolve power to councils and the communities they serve. I am excited by its publication and I look forward to working with the Shadow Team and councillor colleagues in the months ahead to ensure that the commitments become a reality."

Leader of the LGA Labour Group, Sir Jeremy Beecham, said:

"It is useful to have the Conservatives' ideas in one place, and it is right that all parties pursue devolution. However, I am keen to see more details on how Cameron's call for greater freedoms matches up with their funding plans for councils.

Leader of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Richard Kemp said:

"The proposals do nothing to correct the imbalance between central and local funding. Whilst central government supplies up to 80% of the money spent by local government they will continue to call the tune asserting national priorities over local ones."

Leader of the LGA Independent Group, Keith Ross said

"The LGA Independent Group will work with the main political parties to ensure that all proposals retain a primary focus on the practice and experience of local people and communities as the first and foremost judge of future arrangements."

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