Local authorities from across the UK join forces to demand more powers for communities

Councils across the UK have united to demand “urgent action” by the next government to set out how powers will be devolved to local communities.

In a joint statement issued ahead of the General Election, the local government associations of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have called on politicians to grasp “the opportunity to revive our local democratic systems”.

We have the opportunity to shape history and strengthen our nation

The statement said: “Strong local democracy and empowered communities will be a force for good. 

“As we approach the election of a new parliament, the time for talking has ended. The new government will be given the responsibility of defining a new settlement for the communities of the United Kingdom.

“We have the opportunity to shape history and strengthen our nation.We made representations to William Hague’s Cabinet Committee in London and the Smith Commission in Edinburgh.

“Both reports called for a major shift in power and a revival of local decision-making. National parties and local communities in every part of our nation have also signalled a desire for change.

“We are very clear that it is time to move away from an expensive, centralised approach which means that governments in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh or London try to second guess what is best for localities.

“Any settlement which does not extend beyond Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont will not be sustainable.”

The document is signed by Cllr David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association; Cllr Aaron Shotton, deputy leader of the Welsh Local Government Association; Cllr David O’Neill, president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Cllr Dermot Curran, president of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association.

The leaders have asked that whoever forms the next government to ensure:

•            Legislation in the first Queen’s Speech (including the Scotland Bill, the Wales Bill and an English Devolution Bill) is framed to empower local communities through councils, embeds the principle of subsidiarity and guarantees the devolution of powers beyond Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont

•            The European Charter of Local Self-Government, which sets out the principles of local democracy and was signed by the United Kingdom in 1997, forms part of our new constitutional settlement

•            Any future Constitutional Convention on the future of the governance of the United Kingdom should guarantee seats around the table for the leaders of the four associations to ensure that the voices of local communities are heard