Last month, the Government announced its Pride in Place programme, which includes new powers and £5 billion in funding for more than 330 of our most deprived neighbourhoods in England.
The extra funding is positive, and the powers proposed will help councils in these areas to revitalise high streets, regulate betting and vaping shops, and breathe new life into empty premises.
Pride in Place also aims to empower local people to make decisions about their areas, with neighbourhood boards – appointed by the local authority and independently chaired – responsible for developing regeneration plans.
The LGA has long championed the genuine devolution of powers and resources to local places because it helps promote inclusive economic growth, create jobs and improve public services; so, we look forward to working with government and our members to help deliver these boards.
We know that behind every successful national achievement lies a vital ingredient that cannot be replicated from Whitehall: the leadership, knowledge and determination of local councils.
Local government has long been a critical driver of economic renewal, working tirelessly to make the most of the opportunity in our communities.
LGA-commissioned analysis has identified at least £276 billion in untapped economic potential – including £42 billion in rural areas alone, worth 10.7 per cent of the rural economy – which could be released by empowering councils and breaking down place-specific barriers to growth.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill requires mayoral authorities to publish local growth plans, rightly recognising the need for regional strategies.
But to truly succeed, these plans must be co-produced with councils, whose democratic mandate, local expertise and strong relationships with residents are indispensable. They should also align to local placed-based strategies – into which a significant amount of time and energy has already gone.
Inclusive and sustainable growth cannot happen without local government. Therefore, clarity is needed on the long-term future of growth funding, so every part of the country has the resources to deliver for their communities.