Councils need trust, genuine devolution and financial stability, according to the Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson.
Speaking at the LGA’s annual conference in Bournemouth, Zöe Franklin MP said government needs to trust councils because “you understand your communities and how to deliver like no-one else”.
While there is now “more agreement than disagreement” on devolution, the key question is not whether, but how, power should leave Whitehall, she told delegates.
“What works in a major metropolitan region won’t necessarily be the right answer for rural communities, coastal communities, or mixed urban and rural communities,” she said.
“That’s why I’ve always argued that devolution has to be built on the central premise of local choice and local decision.”
Ms Franklin warned new Prime Minister Andy Burnham against using devolution plans as an excuse to delay local elections again, and that government needs to “provide councils with the resources to succeed” if they are going to devolve responsibilities.
“Devolution only works if local government has financial stability and, at the moment, there are too many councils simply trying to keep their heads above the water.”