APPG for District Councils | District Councils' Network https://www.districtcouncils.info Closer to communities Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:09:48 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.districtcouncils.info/wp-content/uploads/cropped-site-icon-32x32.png APPG for District Councils | District Councils' Network https://www.districtcouncils.info 32 32 APPG meeting: ‘Districts have a hugely important role’ https://www.districtcouncils.info/appg-meeting-districts-have-a-hugely-important-role/ Sun, 01 Oct 2023 14:59:11 +0000 https://www.districtcouncils.info/?p=7893 Thank you to everyone who attended the 18 September meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils.

It was standing room only in the Palace of Westminster’s Churchill Room as senior councillors and chief executives of district councils mixed with MPs and peers to discuss the unique value that district councils can offer.

The meeting was hosted by the APPG’s chairman Sir Brandon Lewis MP, who said: “I believe in district councils. They have a hugely important role to play.”

However, Sir Brandon noted that districts faced a period “uncertainty”, with Local Enterprise Partnership powers moving to county councils in two-tier areas, despite districts having existing responsibility for economic development. He urged everyone present to “make it clear to Government, prospective governments and civil servants of the valuable role [district councils] play.”

Professor Colin Copus, Emeritus Professor of Local Politics at De Montfort University, made a similar point, saying the challenge of the district sector was to “show them that size doesn’t matter”.

He described the local government finance system as “irreparable”, noting that while English authorities had limited ability to determine their own funding, Belgian municipalities were able to pick from 90 different tax options to fund themselves.

“Districts deliver,” was the message of Cllr Bridget Smith, DCN Vice Chair and the Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council. She noted her council had proportionately housed the highest number of Ukrainians escaping war and, working with its Integrated Care System, was using 19 village-based wardens to support older people to live independently.

“We deliver for Government, for business, for people, every day of the year,” Cllr Smith added.

Cllr Susan Brown, DCN Vice Chair and Leader of Oxford City Council, spoke about how districts could lead on economic development, with her own council contributing to the conditions which led BMW to invest £650m to ensure a new generation of Minis were built there. The authority is working on a £5m scheme which it is hoped will see a rail branch line to Cowley currently used only for freight to reopen for passengers.

And Jonathan Werran, chief executive of the Localis thinktank, highlighted how districts’ convening power could bring about a uniquely localised and powerful place leadership.

While our challenges are significant, our localised ability to overcome them is unique.

]]> Brandon Lewis to chair District Council APPG https://www.districtcouncils.info/brandon-lewis-to-chair-district-council-appg-2/ Mon, 15 May 2023 15:04:05 +0000 https://www.districtcouncils.info/?p=7393 Rt Hon Brandon Lewis CBE MP is to serve as the new Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils, the District Councils’ Network (DCN) is delighted to announce.

Mr Lewis, who served in a variety of ministerial roles over the past decade, was confirmed in the role yesterday.

The Great Yarmouth MP started his political career in local government and became Leader of Brentwood Borough Council in 2004, holding the position until 2009.

After entering Parliament in 2010 he went on to serve as Communities and Local Government Minister, followed by Planning and Housing Minister, before holding other roles including Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He left Government in October last year.

Mr Lewis said: “I know from my time as Brentwood Council leader that district councils have the most direct links to their communities, giving them a unique ability to support their residents. District councils play a vital role in local government, and I am therefore delighted to become APPG Chair.

“There is more we can do in Westminster to ensure that district councils have the recognition they deserve. I am keen to protect and enhance their status and look forward to working on a cross-party basis to help bring this about.

“District councils have been at the forefront of the drive to support their communities during the pandemic and now amid the rising cost-of-living. They have delivered in the past when they have been called upon and will do so in the future, especially if given the support to thrive from Government.”

He also recorded a statement on his appointment to the role. This can be seen here.

Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, chairman of the DCN, said: “I am delighted that Brandon has kindly agreed to take on this role to support district councils from the Houses of Parliament.

“District councils have achieved so much in recent years – growing their local economies, safeguarding the environment and promoting public health and leisure, helping to prevent ill health and taking the burden off the NHS. With greater support through the national policy agenda, for instance to give us greater freedom over our finances, we can achieve even more, and we look forward to working with Brandon to help make this happen.”

]]> APPG for District Councils Report: Delivering the District Difference https://www.districtcouncils.info/appg-for-district-councils-report-delivering-the-district-difference/ Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:54:37 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?page_id=1791 All Party Parliament Group for District Councils Report: Delivering the District Difference

 

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils has released a new report “Delivering the District Difference” which you can download using this link.

As part of their recommendations in the report, the group has called on the government to empower districts with “suitable local flexibilities and incentives” to stimulate growth in the forthcoming spending review. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Council has also urged the Government to take immediate action to prevent over 70% of district authorities falling into a position of negative Revenue Support Grant in 2019/20.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

 

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

 

]]> MPs say ‘Prevent negative RSG and give districts more tools to grow local economies’ https://www.districtcouncils.info/mps-say-prevent-negative-rsg-and-give-districts-more-tools-to-grow-local-economies/ Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:50:52 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1784

A cross-party group of Parliamentarians has called on the government to empower districts with “suitable local flexibilities and incentives” to stimulate growth in the forthcoming spending review.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils, a cross-party group of MPs and Peers, also urged the Government to take immediate action to prevent over 70% of district authorities falling into a position of negative Revenue Support Grant in 2019/20.

The recommendations are contained in a report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, published by the Districts APPG which contains the findings of a formal inquiry that has taken place this year. The Group, which is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and a former Rugby Borough councillor, received written evidence from 60 district authorities and heard oral evidence from councillors and officers from seven councils.

The APPG report also argues that “the Fair Funding Review must reverse the decline in district council spending power”, highlighting NAO figures that show districts will have seen a real-terms reduction in spending power of 13.9% between 2016/17-2019/20. The MPs says these are “the largest cut in spending power compared to other types of councils in the current spending review period”.

The report says that in order to increase district spending power, districts should be given more freedom to introduce “local freedoms and incentives”. The document highlights local levies and taxes available to local authorities across Europe, and calls on the government to empower districts to be able to “choose from a range of levies, charges and incentives to tailor their approach to raising funds locally, which they can then spend locally”.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“A sustainable NHS requires a sustainable social care system. It will be important to invest more in prevention services to ease pressures further down the line. Districts, due to their unique local insight and responsibilities for housing, leisure and recreational services , should be given greater responsibility and resource and we call on MHCLG to consider making available a 2% prevention precept on council tax.”

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

ENDS

The APPG for District Councils is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby.

The report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, is being published in Parliament on Wednesday 11 July at 4pm.

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

ENDS

A cross-party group of Parliamentarians has called on the government to empower districts with “suitable local flexibilities and incentives” to stimulate growth in the forthcoming spending review.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils, a cross-party group of MPs and Peers, also urged the Government to take immediate action to prevent over 70% of district authorities falling into a position of negative Revenue Support Grant in 2019/20.

The recommendations are contained in a report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, published by the Districts APPG which contains the findings of a formal inquiry that has taken place this year. The Group, which is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and a former Rugby Borough councillor, received written evidence from 60 district authorities and heard oral evidence from councillors and officers from seven councils.

The APPG report also argues that “the Fair Funding Review must reverse the decline in district council spending power”, highlighting NAO figures that show districts will have seen a real-terms reduction in spending power between 2016/17-2019/20. The MPs says these are “the largest cut in spending power compared to other types of councils in the current spending review period”.

The report says that in order to increase district spending power, districts should be given more freedom to introduce “local freedoms and incentives”. The document highlights local levies and taxes available to local authorities across Europe, and calls on the government to empower districts to be able to “choose from a range of levies, charges and incentives to tailor their approach to raising funds locally, which they can then spend locally”.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“A sustainable NHS requires a sustainable social care system. It will be important to invest more in prevention services to ease pressures further down the line. Districts, due to their unique local insight and responsibilities for housing, leisure and recreational services , should be given greater responsibility and resource and we call on MHCLG to consider making available a 2% prevention precept on council tax.”

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

ENDs

The APPG for District Councils is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby.

The report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, is being published in Parliament on Wednesday 11 July at 4pm.

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

ENDS

The recommendations are contained in a report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, published by the Districts APPG which contains the findings of a formal inquiry that has taken place this year. The Group, which is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and a former Rugby Borough councillor, received written evidence from 60 district authorities and heard oral evidence from councillors and officers from seven councils.

The APPG report also argues that “the Fair Funding Review must reverse the decline in district council spending power”, highlighting NAO figures that show districts will have seen a real-terms reduction in spending power between 2016/17-2019/20. The MPs says these are “the largest cut in spending power compared to other types of councils in the current spending review period”.

The report says that in order to increase district spending power, districts should be given more freedom to introduce “local freedoms and incentives”. The document highlights local levies and taxes available to local authorities across Europe, and calls on the government to empower districts to be able to “choose from a range of levies, charges and incentives to tailor their approach to raising funds locally, which they can then spend locally”.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“A sustainable NHS requires a sustainable social care system. It will be important to invest more in prevention services to ease pressures further down the line. Districts, due to their unique local insight and responsibilities for housing, leisure and recreational services , should be given greater responsibility and resource and we call on MHCLG to consider making available a 2% prevention precept on council tax.”

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

ENDs

The APPG for District Councils is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby.

The report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, is being published in Parliament on Wednesday 11 July at 4pm.

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

ENDS

 

The recommendations are contained in a report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, published by the Districts APPG which contains the findings of a formal inquiry that has taken place this year. The Group, which is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and a former Rugby Borough councillor, received written evidence from 60 district authorities and heard oral evidence from councillors and officers from seven councils.

The APPG report also argues that “the Fair Funding Review must reverse the decline in district council spending power”, highlighting NAO figures that show districts will have seen a real-terms reduction in spending power between 2016/17-2019/20. The MPs says these are “the largest cut in spending power compared to other types of councils in the current spending review period”.

The report says that in order to increase district spending power, districts should be given more freedom to introduce “local freedoms and incentives”. The document highlights local levies and taxes available to local authorities across Europe, and calls on the government to empower districts to be able to “choose from a range of levies, charges and incentives to tailor their approach to raising funds locally, which they can then spend locally”.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“A sustainable NHS requires a sustainable social care system. It will be important to invest more in prevention services to ease pressures further down the line. Districts, due to their unique local insight and responsibilities for housing, leisure and recreational services , should be given greater responsibility and resource and we call on MHCLG to consider making available a 2% prevention precept on council tax.”

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

ENDs

The APPG for District Councils is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby.

The report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, is being published in Parliament on Wednesday 11 July at 4pm.

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

ENDS

The recommendations are contained in a report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, published by the Districts APPG which contains the findings of a formal inquiry that has taken place this year. The Group, which is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and a former Rugby Borough councillor, received written evidence from 60 district authorities and heard oral evidence from councillors and officers from seven councils.

The APPG report also argues that “the Fair Funding Review must reverse the decline in district council spending power”, highlighting NAO figures that show districts will have seen a real-terms reduction in spending power between 2016/17-2019/20. The MPs says these are “the largest cut in spending power compared to other types of councils in the current spending review period”.

The report says that in order to increase district spending power, districts should be given more freedom to introduce “local freedoms and incentives”. The document highlights local levies and taxes available to local authorities across Europe, and calls on the government to empower districts to be able to “choose from a range of levies, charges and incentives to tailor their approach to raising funds locally, which they can then spend locally”.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“A sustainable NHS requires a sustainable social care system. It will be important to invest more in prevention services to ease pressures further down the line. Districts, due to their unique local insight and responsibilities for housing, leisure and recreational services , should be given greater responsibility and resource and we call on MHCLG to consider making available a 2% prevention precept on council tax.”

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

ENDs

The APPG for District Councils is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby.

The report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, is being published in Parliament on Wednesday 11 July at 4pm.

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

ENDS

A cross-party group of Parliamentarians has called on the government to empower districts with “suitable local flexibilities and incentives” to stimulate growth in the forthcoming spending review.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils, a cross-party group of MPs and Peers, also urged the Government to take immediate action to prevent over 70% of district authorities falling into a position of negative Revenue Support Grant in 2019/20.

The recommendations are contained in a report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, published by the Districts APPG which contains the findings of a formal inquiry that has taken place this year. The Group, which is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and a former Rugby Borough councillor, received written evidence from 60 district authorities and heard oral evidence from councillors and officers from seven councils.

The APPG report also argues that “the Fair Funding Review must reverse the decline in district council spending power”, highlighting NAO figures that show districts will have seen a real-terms reduction in spending power between 2016/17-2019/20. The MPs says these are “the largest cut in spending power compared to other types of councils in the current spending review period”.

The report says that in order to increase district spending power, districts should be given more freedom to introduce “local freedoms and incentives”. The document highlights local levies and taxes available to local authorities across Europe, and calls on the government to empower districts to be able to “choose from a range of levies, charges and incentives to tailor their approach to raising funds locally, which they can then spend locally”.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“A sustainable NHS requires a sustainable social care system. It will be important to invest more in prevention services to ease pressures further down the line. Districts, due to their unique local insight and responsibilities for housing, leisure and recreational services , should be given greater responsibility and resource and we call on MHCLG to consider making available a 2% prevention precept on council tax.”

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

ENDs

The APPG for District Councils is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby.

The report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, is being published in Parliament on Wednesday 11 July at 4pm.

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

ENDS

A cross-party group of Parliamentarians has called on the government to empower districts with “suitable local flexibilities and incentives” to stimulate growth in the forthcoming spending review.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for District Councils, a cross-party group of MPs and Peers, also urged the Government to take immediate action to prevent over 70% of district authorities falling into a position of negative Revenue Support Grant in 2019/20.

The recommendations are contained in a report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, published by the Districts APPG which contains the findings of a formal inquiry that has taken place this year. The Group, which is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and a former Rugby Borough councillor, received written evidence from 60 district authorities and heard oral evidence from councillors and officers from seven councils.

The APPG report also argues that “the Fair Funding Review must reverse the decline in district council spending power”, highlighting NAO figures that show districts will have seen a real-terms reduction in spending power between 2016/17-2019/20. The MPs says these are “the largest cut in spending power compared to other types of councils in the current spending review period”.

The report says that in order to increase district spending power, districts should be given more freedom to introduce “local freedoms and incentives”. The document highlights local levies and taxes available to local authorities across Europe, and calls on the government to empower districts to be able to “choose from a range of levies, charges and incentives to tailor their approach to raising funds locally, which they can then spend locally”.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“Districts are home to 22m people and they are the level of local government that is closest to residents. There is nothing more important to enable district authorities to deliver for their residents and businesses than ensuring they have suitable and sustainable levels of funding.

“To achieve this, we call on the government to be bold and take a new approach. We want to see districts empowered with freedoms and flexibilities to stimulate the local economy. We also urge the Government to commit to retain current incentives that are successfully supporting districts to deliver the homes the country needs.”

The MPs also state that they received overwhelming evidence about the role districts can also play in supporting the government to meet its housebuilding targets, and in creating a sustainable future for social care and health services.

The report highlights the importance of incentives, such as the New Homes Bonus, in building more homes with a majority of districts stating that the bonus continues to provide an appropriate incentive for communities to support local housing development in its current form, although many councils highlighted the negative impact of recent reductions to the bonus. MPs recommend the government reverses its introduction of a 0.4% baseline threshold, which for some authorities has led to loses in revenue of up to £1m.

The APPG also received evidence from districts of their enthusiasm for the potential of a ‘prevention precept’ that would see districts to add a 2% precept on council tax, similar the social care precept available to authorities that deliver social care. According to the District Councils’ Network, this could raise £26m a year and deliver savings many times that amount as every £1 spent on preventative measures such as home adaptions can lead to savings of up to £70.

Mark Pawsey MP, Chair of the APPG for District Councils, said:

“A sustainable NHS requires a sustainable social care system. It will be important to invest more in prevention services to ease pressures further down the line. Districts, due to their unique local insight and responsibilities for housing, leisure and recreational services , should be given greater responsibility and resource and we call on MHCLG to consider making available a 2% prevention precept on council tax.”

The District Councils’ Network has welcomed the report. John Fuller, Chair of the District Councils’ Network, said:

 “This Parliamentary report demonstrates that district councils have been hardest hit by reductions in spending power. But districts are best placed to grow the national economy one local economy at a time as local planning and housing authorities.

“Districts are an integral part of the Local Care System – our role in ensuring decent housing, homelessness and debt management reduces demand for social care and solves problems one family at a time and puts the Health Service on a more long term sustainable footing.

“By reversing the decline in district spending power and rewarding our innovative approach to health prevention, the Government has the opportunity to ensure districts drive local economic growth and reduce the burden on adult social care into the next decade and beyond.”

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The APPG for District Councils is chaired by Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby.

The report, ‘Delivering the District Difference’, is being published in Parliament on Wednesday 11 July at 4pm.

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

ENDS

 

]]> DCN Briefing ‘The future availability of resources for the provision of District Council services in two-tier areas’ (House of Lords debate) https://www.districtcouncils.info/the-future-availability-of-resources-for-the-provision-of-district-council-services-in-two-tier-areas-house-of-lords-debat/ Thu, 19 Oct 2017 10:38:57 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1404 The District Councils’ Network briefing for the  debate on ‘The future availability of resources for the provision of District Council services in two-tier areas’ can be found at this link.

The debate took place on 19/10/2017 and was sponsored by Lord Greaves.

]]> Districts Delivering Growth https://www.districtcouncils.info/districts-delivering-growth/ Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:20:18 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1064 ‘Districts Delivering Growth’ was the dominant theme of the DCN’s inaugural national conference – which was held at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth from 2 to 3 February 2017.

Since the Brexit referendum vote, economic growth has assumed even greater importance as the axis around which local government must pivot its activities.

A week prior to the conference we had seen the publication of a green paper on Industrial Strategy and legislation to enable the 100% retention of business rates. On the opening day of the conference the Brexit White Paper was published and delegates were preparing for the much anticipated new Housing White Paper

As a network our ability to secure a trio of high-profile ministerial speakers – Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, Business, Energy and Industrial Secretary, Greg Clark and Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell – to this inaugural conference was clear proof that the Government places great stock in the potential of districts to deliver growth.

Sajid Javid praised districts for their ‘can do attitude’ noting their strong track record of managing the heavy-lifting of deficit-reduction in the past six years while delivering impressively on housing, efficiency and local economic growth.

The topic of the future of devolution in district areas and the place of districts in an evolving local government structure was raised. And the Communities Secretary insisted the process was alive and well, adding he would turn his attention to bids not included in the first round of mayoral elections after May.

He also restated his pledge that when it comes to determining structure, ‘one-size does not fit all’ – and his personal philosophy of putting what works best for the communities we serve above rigid, top-down ideology and structures.

Speaking in advance of the Housing White Paper, housing minister Gavin Barwell noted the success of districts as the housing and planning authorities in siting more than one-in-two every new build homes nationwide. He also acknowledged the important role local authorities wishing to get back into building homes could play in boosting supply.

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark told delegates that district councils were crucial to delivering the growth vision outlined in his green paper and had a real opportunity to influence the Industrial Strategy as it is developed over the coming months.

He told the conference that now was the ideal opportunity to respond vigorously and creatively to the industrial strategy – urging local government to seize the initiative and tell central government how, based on experience and evidence, local economies should be shaped. In his speech, chair of the Midlands Engine, Sir John Peace,also stressed the importance of connectivity and agility in driving the post-Brexit economic revival.

As an inaugural event, the conference – attended by more than 180 delegates – played out in a spirit of vibrant hope and courageous collective resolve to rise to the challenges we face.

]]> District chiefs urged to take part in collaboration and devolution inquiry https://www.districtcouncils.info/district-chiefs-urged-to-take-part-in-collaboration-and-devolution-inquiry/ Thu, 24 Nov 2016 16:18:02 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1008 In LocalGov.co.uk, 24 November 2016: District councils have been urged to submit evidence to an inquiry into the opportunities presented by devolution.

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