social care | 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=7.1.3 https://www.districtcouncils.info/wp-content/uploads/cropped-site-icon-32x32.png social care | 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: Rising costs of homelessness must be reflected in future funding formula https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-rising-costs-of-homelessness-must-be-reflected-in-future-funding-formula/ Thu, 01 Nov 2018 12:17:04 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1901

DCN: RISING COSTS OF HOMELESSNESS MUST BE REFLECTED IN FUTURE FUNDING FORMULA

Rising levels of homelessness need to be reflected in local government funding reforms after more than half of district councils reported an increase in requests for help dealing with the issue in the first six months of new housing legislation.

As the housing and planning authorities, districts are at the forefront of preventing and relieving homelessness. However, only one in five districts say that government funding to support the implementation of new statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) is sufficient, while over two-thirds (69 per cent) have seen an increase in the visible signs of homelessness in their areas, according to the survey of DCN members.

The survey has been carried out to find out how district councils have been impacted by the first six months since the implementation of the HRA, which places a duty on councils to assess the housing and support needs of every client who is homeless or threatened with homelessness and to provide them with a Personalised Housing Plan.

Districts can and want to do more to support their most vulnerable residents, so are urging Government to ensure that the rising costs of tackling homelessness are reflected in the fair funding formula which is due to be consulted on shortly through the fair funding review.

DCN is further calling for:

  • Extra funding on top of the initial HRA implementation funding, so that councils can continue to secure accommodation for homeless people
  • The HRA cap to be lifted as soon as possible, together with more infrastructure funding, so councils can build more social housing
  • Greater financial flexibilities for non-stock-holding authorities to borrow to build more homes
  • A review of current housing payment processes within Universal Credit which remove the security of direct rent payments to private landlords who need greater reassurance that the tenancies of benefit claimants or people with previous rent arrears will be successful
  • An early review of the HRA administration process to be streamlined as it is more time-consuming than the previous homelessness duties
  • Urgent action regarding the increasing tenancy fees set by letting agents in order to secure accommodation

DCN Chairman Cllr John Fuller said:

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable home. We welcome the Homelessness Reduction Act, but since April 2018, over half of district councils have seen an increase in requests for homeless advice and assistance, with an increase of more than 100 per cent in some areas during this six-month period.

“The ongoing costs for new HRA duties far outweigh the initial funding – which isn’t enough on its own to address the lack of housing supply or the affordability issues affecting people in need – and can’t be sustained in the long-term. Providing additional, sustainable funding beyond 2019/20 through the funding formula will allow Districts to continue to support homeless people or those at risk of becoming homeless over a longer time period.

“The thresholds set for various support services are now so high that they are predominantly crisis-focused and are less responsive to addressing the low level issues that lead to homelessness, which coupled with funding cuts to council budgets, impedes the work to prevent it and can lead to people becoming trapped in a cycle of homelessness.

“The announcement on lifting of the HRA cap was well-received by Districts but this needs to be implemented as soon as possible so councils can build more affordable homes which are badly needed to help provide long term solutions to homelessness.

“District councils believe multi-agency work needs to be strengthened to target the various factors that have either caused people to become homeless or is preventing them from being rehoused because unless the Government tackles the root causes of homelessness then there is a risk that initiatives will not remain successful in the long term.”

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

]]> DCN: All Right to Buy receipts should have longer timeframe https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-all-right-to-buy-receipts-should-have-longer-timeframe/ Tue, 09 Oct 2018 07:51:37 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1872

DCN: ALL RIGHT TO BUY RECEIPTS SHOULD HAVE LONGER TIMEFRAME

In its submission to a government consultation on the use of Receipts from Right to Buy Sales, Cllr Sharon Taylor, DCN Finance Lead, said:

“Having two sets of time limits for use of Right to Buy receipts for the same purpose is illogical, particularly where DCN, as the planning and housing authorities, share government’s ambition to increase house building.

“We support the time limit for spending existing Right to Buy receipts being extended from three years to five years so that councils can maximise the benefits of the housing borrowing cap being scrapped, to build much needed homes in their local areas.

“However, this proposal must be extended to the use of future receipts so that councils can ensure that they achieve best value. There is no logical reason why future receipts should be subject to a shorter time frame compared to existing receipts.

“Furthermore, the time limit for complex and high value regeneration schemes should be extended to seven years to avoid deterring major housing delivery projects.

“If councils are to play a full part in delivering the Government’s ambitions for social housing and to increase opportunities for families, they need to be able to keep 100 per cent of Receipts.”

 

 

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

]]> DCN responds to announcement on lifting the housing borrowing cap https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-responds-to-announcement-on-lifting-the-housing-borrowing-cap/ Wed, 03 Oct 2018 14:14:22 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1870

DCN RESPONDS TO ANNOUNCEMENT ON LIFTING THE HOUSING BORROWING CAP

Responding to an announcement today by Theresa May that the housing borrowing cap will be lifted, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network (DCN), said:

“The Government expects district councils, as the planning and housing authorities, to manage their local housing markets to benefit people at all stages of their lives.

“Finally the Government has recognised that councils need the fiscal tools to manage their housing markets by lifting the housing borrowing cap. We welcome this important new power which the DCN has long called for.

“Many councils with extensive housing potential, often surrounding the largest cities, have transferred their own stock to registered social landlords and therefore don’t have housing revenue accounts. These Districts should not miss out on the opportunity to build the homes this country badly needs.”

 

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

]]> DCN calls for more freedoms and funding reassurance in submission to Autumn Budget https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-calls-for-more-freedoms-and-funding-reassurance-in-submission-to-autumn-budget/ Fri, 28 Sep 2018 09:14:53 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1867

DCN CALLS FOR MORE FREEDOMS AND FUNDING REASSURANCE IN SUBMISSION TO AUTUMN BUDGET

Following the DCN’s submission to the Autumn Budget, DCN Finance Lead Cllr Sharon Taylor said:

“Districts are now facing increasingly stark funding challenges that threaten the vital services their communities rely on. This is a critical Budget for district councils who now need long-term financial reassurance and greater freedoms and reward.

“Districts have punched above their weight in terms of savings made through shared services but have also faced the biggest reduction in their spending power since 2015 compared to other types of councils.

“This steady decline must be reversed, through the Fair Funding Review and greater flexibilities for districts to tackle unfairness in the system and an increase in spending power in the next spending review period.

“This means councils should be able to set their own level of council tax without the need for costly referendums; lift the borrowing cap for councils with housing stock; have greater flexibility on Right to Buy receipts with the New Homes Bonus baseline scrapped; and be allowed to recover the full costs of services and set all licensing and planning fees locally.

“Districts should also be allowed to set a 3 per cent prevention precept which could generate £42 million in 2019/20 to build on their successful work reducing demand on crisis-hit adult social care and the NHS.

“This Budget is a vital opportunity to recognise district councils for delivering better lives and stronger economies by encouraging growth and recognising that Districts cannot continue to provide essential local services without sufficient and sustainable funding.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

DCN’s full submission to the Autumn Budget can be read here.

 

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

]]> DCN responds to LGA adult social care green paper https://www.districtcouncils.info/dcn-responds-to-lga-adult-social-care-green-paper/ Wed, 26 Sep 2018 08:59:55 +0000 https://districtcouncils.info/?p=1861

DCN RESPONDS TO LGA ADULT SOCIAL CARE GREEN PAPER

Responding to the Local Government Association’s adult social care green paper consultation, which ends today, Cllr Isobel Darby, DCN Member Lead for Quality of Life, said:

“Action is urgently needed to address the adult social care crisis, the single largest problem facing local government services and their financial sustainability.

“As the housing and planning authorities, district councils already play a crucial prevention role in helping to improve people’s health and wellbeing, which significantly reduces the demands and costs on adult social care and the NHS.

“The preventative role of councils must be better recognised and funded, alongside the need for a long term sustainable funding solution to adult social care instead of simply recycling existing funding within local government, which will never meet the future cost pressures of an ageing population.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • DCN’s full submission to the LGA’s adult social care green paper consultation can be read here.

 

ENDS

District Councils’ Network media office, 020 7664 3333

]]> 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

 


 

 

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