New Report Calls on Government to Empower Local Leaders for Whole-Place Transformation
A new report published by independent think-tank Localis on Thursday 12 September, 2024, is calling on the government to empower local leaders to take a proactive and preventative approach to service provision and encourage collaborative partnership working across the public and private sector.
The report, entitled ‘Heart of the Matter – Getting to Grips with Whole Place Transformation’, suggests that the government can achieve this by restoring stability to council finances as a foundation for delivering on national renewal missions.
The report argues that a ‘whole place’ model of local public service reform would support the new government’s ambitious national missions and provide an opportunity to enact lasting change after a decade of decline among English councils.
Localis recommends that the government should restore stability to council finances with an immediate cash injection to ensure steady service delivery, and address council workforce capacity as a first step towards long-term radical improvements.
The report calls for a transformative renewal of place policy that balances the optimism of devolution and community empowerment with the realities of fiscal constraints and economic challenges. It advocates for a whole place approach to improving local service outcomes, focusing on empowering local leadership, embedding preventative approaches, developing collaborative cultures, and practicing community co-design.
Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, said: “As we stand on the brink of a major shift in how we deliver public services, this report offers a roadmap for change that is both ambitious and grounded in the practical realities faced by local government. ‘Heart of the Matter’ is a call to action for both local leaders and central government to work together to deliver high-quality, sustainable public services for our communities.”
Sean Hanson, chief executive of IMPOWER, said: “Heart of the Matter puts beyond doubt what many local leaders already know – lasting social change and inclusive economic growth is only possible if we turn the promise of whole-place transformation into a reality. The report’s findings look back on what has worked in the past, including investment in prevention, collaborative partnership working, and community empowerment. The report’s proposals look ahead to an exciting age of opportunity in which place leaders have the powers and resources to deliver growth that works for everyone and for the long term.”
The report also includes key recommendations for both local government and central government. These include:
– Councils should produce transformational whole place service delivery plans in collaboration with other agencies to give a clear overview of service delivery across an area.
– Councils should develop internal models for valuing prevention and review spending accordingly to reduce demand on frontline services.
– Councils should work with private and third sector partners to establish innovative vehicles for regeneration and community engagement.
– Central government must make an immediate cash injection into local authorities for frontline service delivery and look to the future by examining local government revenue sources.
– The new funding settlement should commit to the value of upstream prevention and evaluate the success of local growth plans on public service outcomes.
For more information or to download a copy of the report, visit www.localis.org.uk.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.