public health | District Councils' Network https://www.districtcouncils.info Closer to communities Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:29:09 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.districtcouncils.info/wp-content/uploads/cropped-site-icon-32x32.png public health | District Councils' Network https://www.districtcouncils.info 32 32 DCN webinar: Driving better health outcomes through ICSs https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-webinar-driving-better-health-outcomes-through-icss/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:03:31 +0000 https://www.districtcouncils.info/?p=7715 The role of district councils in integrated care was the subject of a recent DCN webinar.

The event, held on 20 July, brought together the representatives of member councils and other parts of the health and care system to discuss how we can work together to reduce healthcare inequalities.

Chairing the event was Cllr Hannah Dalton, DCN Health Spokesperson, and it also featured Chris Naylor and Luca Tiratelli of The King’s Fund, who recently undertook research for the DCN on this issue.

Other speakers included Professor Jim McManus, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health; Ian Fytche, Chief Executive of North Kesteven District Council; and Ian Davidson, Chief Executive of Tendring District Council. Mr Davidson contributed footage from his council’s work on supporting children in schools through the Great Bentley Wellbeing Hub.

 

The importance of working across different bodies to instigate change was a prominent feature of the discussion.

To find out more about the research you can read the King’s Fund full report, as well as various articles which appeared in the media about the research.

Media coverage of our King’s Fund Report

Reports mentioned in the discussion

]]> DCN Consultation Response: Identification of taxis and private hire vehicles entering charging Clean Air Zones https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-consultation-response-identification-of-taxis-and-private-hire-vehicles-entering-charging-clean-air-zones/ Fri, 09 Nov 2018 10:19:25 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1916 The District Councils’ Network response to the DEFRA consultation on “Identification of taxis and private hire vehicles entering charging Clean Air Zones” was submitted on 02/11/2018 and can be found at this link.

 

]]> DCN Autumn Budget Submission 2018 https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-autumn-budget-submission-2018/ Fri, 28 Sep 2018 09:01:14 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1865 The District Councils’ Network have made their submission to government ahead of the Autumn Budget scheduled for 29 October, it can be found at this link.

 

]]> DCN Consultation Response: LGA adult social care green paper https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-consultation-response-lga-adult-social-care-green-paper/ Wed, 26 Sep 2018 06:11:16 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1858 The District Councils’ Network response to the Local Government Association consultation on adult social care, was submitted on 26/09/2018 and can be found at this link.

 

]]> 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.”

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

 

]]> DCN responds to appointment of new housing minister https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-responds-to-appointment-of-new-housing-minister/ Tue, 10 Jul 2018 12:26:14 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1780

Responding to the appointment of Kit Malthouse MP as the new Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network (DCN), said:

“The DCN congratulates Kit Malthouse on his appointment to a key role in Government.

“As the housing and planning authorities that touch more than 220 parliamentary constituencies, districts have delivered over 91,000 homes in 2017 and operate at a scale that residents can relate to. Incentives such as the New Homes Bonus and Community Infrastructure Levy have been crucial in securing local support for these new homes.

“We look forward to working with the new minister to ensure that districts have the freedoms, incentives and powers to build even more homes in district areas – many of which have the greatest capacity to deliver the extra homes this country needs.”

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

]]> DCN unveils 2018/19 leadership team https://www.districtcouncils.info/district-councils-network-unveils-20189-leadership-team/ Wed, 04 Jul 2018 09:12:03 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1776

The District Councils’ Network (DCN) has today, at its Annual General Meeting, confirmed its leadership team to take the organisation forward.

Cllr John Fuller, the leader of South Norfolk District Council and current DCN Chairman, has been re-appointed for the coming year.

Cllr Tom Beattie (Corby) was re-appointed as Vice Chair for the Labour Group. The other Vice Chairs were confirmed as Cllr David Neighbour (Hart) for the Liberal Democrat Group, and Mayor Kate Allsop (Mansfield) for the Independent Group.

The announcement was made at DCN’s AGM which took place at the LGA’s annual conference in Birmingham today.

During the coming year, the organisation will continue to focus on its priorities, including ensuring fair funding delivers a fair deal for districts, securing the new homes bonus in the spending review, seeking a financial solution to negative RSG, that councils are given the freedom to build the right kinds of homes for their areas across the country, and that our role in prevention  to reduce the demand on adult social care is reflected in the forthcoming social care green paper.

Cllr John Fuller, continuing Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said:

“It is an honour to once again be confirmed as Chairman of the cross-party District Councils’ Network. The last year has been a busy but rewarding one for DCN, and we’ve secured some real successes for our members but challenges remain. 

“As planning and housing authorities, the importance of maintaining fiscal incentives to grow local economies and housing markets is essential, alongside correcting the iniquitous issue of negative council tax where levies raised from residents are diverted to other areas.

“Just as important is reinforcing the point that local district councils are an essential part of the local care service and whose preventative work and focus on housing standards and enforcement is a key determinant of public health and does more to keep people out of hospital than any other part of the state and the new Green Paper should recognise that.”

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

 


 

 

]]> DCN responds to social housing investment announcement https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-responds-to-social-housing-investment-announcement/ Tue, 26 Jun 2018 10:11:55 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1771

Responding to an announcement by Government of £1.67 billion to build affordable homes and a £1 billion increase in the housing borrowing cap, Cllr Mark Crane, DCN Lead for Stronger Economies, said:

“If the housing cap was lifted completely this would allow district councils to build the houses this country needs. Whilst the additional £1 billion flexibility is a welcome first step, we are disappointed only half of this will be available to district areas where housing demand is very high. In addition, there must be extra borrowing flexibilities for those non-stockholding authorities councils without an HRA.

“The DCN welcomes the separate announcement in relation to additional affordable homes for rent. This funding must focus on supporting district areas where demand for affordable homes is high.”

 

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

 


 

 

]]> DCN responds to draft analysis of Letwin review https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-responds-to-draft-analysis-of-letwin-review/ Mon, 25 Jun 2018 13:46:09 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1768

Responding to draft analysis of the Letwin review into housebuilding, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the Districts’ Council Network, said:

“The draft analysis from the Letwin review shows there is now a pressing need to rebalance the negotiating power between developers and councils following land allocation in favour of the planning and housing authorities so that landowners can be forced to make good on promises they make when applying for planning allocations or permissions.

“If councils are to manage local housing markets they need tools like speedy compulsory purchase orders so that development land can be built out rather than be held as a speculative asset.”

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

 


 

 

]]> DCN responds to Theresa May’s speech on NHS funding https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-responds-to-theresa-mays-speech-on-nhs-funding/ Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:06:34 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1766

Responding to Theresa May’s keynote speech on NHS funding, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said:

“Whilst we welcome the announcement of an additional £20 billion promised for the Health Service, we will only get full value if we focus on prevention to keep people healthy and prevent illness.

“District councils are the prevention authorities. Good housing, the promotion of active and healthy lifestyles and solving social problems are key factors in health and wellbeing which in turn keep people out of hospital for longer.

“The role of the councils is to help people of all ages lead independent and fulfilled lives for as long as possible and, should they require inpatient help, to get them back out again as quickly as possible to reduce the burdens on acute services. It is essential that a significant part of the £20 billion is devoted to a plan that integrates health and social care and which can respond to people’s individual health needs.”

Notes to Editors

Prevention work by district councils, in tandem with health partners, is helping to reduce pressures on the NHS by helping people to live more independent lives. They include:

  • Wealden District Council is working with GPs to prescribe community activities, including coffee mornings, singing workshops and walking groups which has seen them improve their mental health, increase their physical activity, lose weight or reduced their medication requirements, and reduce subsequent GP appointments.
  • South Norfolk District Council has seen 187 patients access its ‘Help Hub’ in its first six months, a social prescribing scheme under which patients who attend surgeries for non-medical issues can be referred for direct access to practical help and advice. 73,057 patients have access to social prescribing at present, of which 45 per cent had their identified needs met in the initial appointment, where they received tailored information and advice; 98 per cent of cases were not escalated to statutory services.
  • In Blaby, Leicestershire, the county and district councils worked with the NHS to develop a housing support service, which providing housing ‘MOTs’ to identify immediate safety risks and make adaptations. It also provides grants, advice and information about how to access wider support. They are also working with Leicestershire hospitals to support discharge and prevent readmissions. The project led to a reduction in use of some services by 66 per cent, and lower A&E attendances and emergency admissions. Last September, the scheme was estimated to have saved the NHS more than £435,000 and has been extended across the county.
  • Wycombe District Council’s ‘Healthy Homes on Prescription’ allows medical or social care practitioners to refer patients for simple, fast-tracked housing solutions to support independent living at home. In the scheme, people with a long-term chronic health condition can apply for up to £5,000 without means testing to help support their physical and mental well-being at home, preventing hospital admission and GP attendances. It is already saving the NHS £53,476 and social care £132,984.
  • By increasing uptake of physical activity by residents, Chiltern and South Bucks District Council estimate that it is saving local healthcare services more than £65,000, and yielding a further £365,168 in wider health benefits such as quality-adjusted life years.
  • In Haverhill, Suffolk, a pilot scheme run by ONE Haverhill Partnership and St Edmundsbury Borough Council has seen GPs refer patients to meet a ‘LifeLink’ Coordinator who spends time getting to know them and helping them connect with people and activities in their area. The programme will help the NHS to prioritise resources by avoiding unnecessary repeat GP and other appointments, saving prescription costs and increasing employment opportunities for local people.

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

 


 

 

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