Chris Leslie, Director of NLGN said: "The creation of a Department for Communities and Local Government offers a fresh chance to signal the Government's commitment to localism and devolution in England. In welcoming Ruth Kelly to her new post, NLGN urges an early focus on how Whitehall as a whole can let go of the policy and financial reins, and empower local authorities to deliver civic renewal. The machinery of Government changes quite rightly bring together a more coherent assembly of policy responsibilities at DCLG, but the White Paper in June will need to deliver a bolder vision demonstrating how every single Government department will improve their approach to decentralisation."
NLGN has also welcomed comments made yesterday by the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, offering government commitment to devolving more power from Whitehall to local communities. Speaking on the BBC1 Sunday AM with Andrew Marr programme, the Chancellor said: “What we have got to do is show by the executive being prepared to give up some of it's power, that we can build trust both between parliament and government and between the public and government…as I've said in a number of speeches, looking at how we can actually give ordinary individuals more say over the services which they have at a local level, but equally how the government can surrender power if you like, so that it is more responsible to the people of this country. Now these are big changes that will build trust in the way the political system works."
Responding the comments, Chris Leslie said: “We are delighted that Gordon Brown has signalled this need for further Whitehall devolution to disperse power to communities and local authorities across the country as part of his personal agenda. Michael Lyons' inquiry team should take note, as these comments suggest a coming opportunity in the Comprehensive Spending Review to fundamentally restructure the balance of power between the centre and localities. If Gordon's aspirations are to become reality, he should encourage boldness and bravery in Ruth Kelly's White Paper and the Lyons Inquiry."
The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is an independent think tank, seeking to transform public services, revitalise local political leadership and empower local communities.
Quelle/Source: Publictechnology, 09.05.2006
