Letters to the Editor
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Comments (64)
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Comment on: Pickles to end council tax capping
The government’s plan for local referendums on council tax increases is not new. Michael Heseltine made a similar proposal nearly 30 years ago. We wrote a letter to LGC opposing it on 10 July 1981. The local budget is the result of a process of balancing expenditure priorities, which cannot be expressed in a simple yes/no question. It damages representative democracy since it destroys the whole point of local elections, if elected councillors see their judgments based on their electoral promises overturned in a referendum called by a minister. George Jones, emeritus professor of government, London School of Economics and John Stewart, emeritus professor of local government, University of Birmingham
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Comment on: PM launches and defends Big Society plan
When voluntary and community groups have cut through the waffle of David Cameron’s Big Society speech in Liverpool, they face the reality check of obstacles from his programme of cuts. Local authorities are already looking at big cuts in their grants to voluntary groups. Statutory posts under threat are precisely the ones that enable volunteers to develop Big Society connections. As the chief executive of the Association of Voluntary Organisations has noted: “It costs money to properly organise, support or develop volunteers. There is no word … on how that cost is to be met.” Local voluntary groups will simply not be able to step in without proper service agreements from local authorities to take on staff. The previous Labour government – with the community focus on the Big Lottery Fund and initiatives such as Connecting Communities and the Total Place pilots – had already done valuable work to promote social cohesion. This government needs to back up its rhetoric with funding guarantees. Gordon Marsden MP, shadow minister for communities and local government
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Comment on: Battle lines are drawn over LEPs
Allister Hayman’s interesting article on the potential shape of local enterprise partnerships did not capture the developing position in Worcestershire. The seven councils in the county are working well together with business representatives to set out the case for a local enterprise partnership for Worcestershire. We recognise that, on some issues, we will need to collaborate with colleagues around us. That is why the Worcestershire Leaders’ Board has agreed that the county should be represented on Birmingham’s city region board by the leader of Bromsgrove DC, an illustration of the localist but flexible and practical approach we are pursuing here in Worcestershire. Ian Miller, chief executive, Wyre Forest DC; Kevin Dicks, chief executive, Bromsgrove DC and Redditch BC; Diane Tilley, director, planning, economy and performance, Worcestershire CC
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Comment on: ‘Hunt out’ waste – Pickles
Here in Central Bedfordshire we have been spreading the word about the Treasury inspired Spending Challenge, letting our staff know that the government wants to hear their efficiency ideas. We’ve been running a similar campaign, Every Penny Counts, since January and already have a set of suggestions from our staff. We recognise staff engagement in delivering savings will be crucial to our success. The government is right to have every confidence in the ability of the public sector to be ahead of the game. Tricia Turner, leader, Central Bedfordshire Council
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Comment on: NEETs problems ‘could be worse than thought’
We welcome the Audit Commission’s Against All Odds report, which outlines the increasing challenges in tackling the social problem of those not in education, employment or training (NEET). Yes, funding should be targeted more effectively but a key issue is that thousands of young people are leaving the education system without the speech and communication skills that are essential for life and work. One in 10 children has severe speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). These children are at a greater risk of bullying, school exclusion and youth offending. Funding needs to be channelled so they receive early support. Only then can they make a full and creative contribution to our workforce. NEETs are costing the UK economy more than £10bn in lost revenue from taxes and lower productivity, and they are an increased burden on the welfare state. There has to be a greater commitment to earlier intervention so young people don’t become part of a growing ‘lost generation’. Virginia Beardshaw, chief executive, I CAN
