Five Foundations of Real Localism
Article
As a political slogan, 'localism' would appear to carry weight, but as a policy construct it becomes much harder to articulate and implement. Unless measures within the Bill address each of these foundations in a meaningful and effective manner, any serious attempt to decentralise England is likely to be seriously flawed.
Those five foundations are:
- localism must be effective and efficient
- localism must be properly funded
- localism must sit at the heart of a drive for social justice
- greater devolution of power and responsibility to the local level must be accompanied by a step-change in the transparency and accountability of local decision-making
- the new drive for localism should be framed within a constitutional settlement between central and local government.
Related items
Towards universal opportunity for young people
Outlining a vision for young people which could increase social mobility while also reducing inequality and disadvantage, so that every young person has the opportunity to build a decent life.One year in: the government is making decent down payments for the years ahead
It’s fair to say it hasn’t been a straightforward first year for the government.Britons back local leaders with fiscal firepower
“Death and taxes,” they say, are life’s only certainties. But there’s a third - wherever taxes are controlled, power lies.