Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, addressed the Local Government Association (LGA) Conference with a firm commitment to reforming the relationship between central and local government. In her speech, Rayner pledged substantial changes to funding, decision-making, and local government autonomy, citing the need for a collaborative rather than top-down approach to local governance.
A New Chapter: Ending “Begging Bowl” Funding
Rayner highlighted the years of neglect local governments have endured, particularly the “begging bowl” culture created by competitive funding pots. She underscored her intention to scrap these short-term, competitive funding models, replacing them with multi-year funding settlements. This, she argues, would offer councils the stability and flexibility needed to make meaningful, long-term investments. By putting an end to what she described as “dragons’ den bidding wars,” Rayner’s approach is geared toward delivering respect and certainty for local councils.
“This government respects your knowledge and expertise,” Rayner asserted, acknowledging the crucial role local governments play in public life.
Tackling the Financial Crisis Head-On
Rayner didn’t shy away from discussing the financial woes inherited from previous administrations – she reiterated that £22 billion blackhole left by the Tories. Rayner announced immediate relief efforts, including abolishing the high-interest “payday loan premium” on council borrowing to aid struggling councils. She painted a vivid picture of her intent to confront the “doom loop” that has left many councils on the brink of financial collapse, with plans for gradual recovery to restore local government stability.
Housing, Homelessness, and Accountability
In addressing housing and homelessness, Rayner announced a comprehensive plan to combat housing shortages and homelessness. Key measures include accelerating the planning process, implementing mandatory housing targets, and supporting councils in holding developers accountable. Rayner also committed to reassessing “right-to-buy” policies to stem the loss of valuable council housing stock. With councils facing significant homelessness pressures, Rayner’s strategy includes a cross-country approach to addressing all forms of homelessness, driven by local authority insight and solutions.
On accountability, Rayner tackled the issue of local audit transparency, describing the current system as “broken” and ineffective. Last year, only 1% of local bodies met the audit publication deadline. Her reform seeks to ensure taxpayers can trust in local government spending and governance, which she sees as fundamental to restoring public faith in local democracy.
A Stand on Standards and Safety for Councillors
Rayner was candid about issues of misconduct, harassment, and bullying in local government. She outlined reforms to the local government standards framework, including the introduction of suspension for councillors who violate codes of conduct. Further, to protect councillors from intimidation, Rayner committed to removing the requirement to publish home addresses, aiming to safeguard public servants from undue threats.
Devolution and Local Empowerment
Rayner promised to further empower local authorities through a robust devolution agenda, transferring more powers away from Whitehall to local bodies. Her proposed English Devolution Bill would give local governments greater control over issues like skills training and employment support, framing devolution as the “default setting” for effective governance. In her view, councils need autonomy and the freedom to make decisions tailored to their communities without unnecessary central intervention.
“It’s time to put you in the driver’s seat,” Rayner stated, positioning devolution as a means of giving local councils “skin in the game.”
Final Thought
Angela Rayner’s speech at the LGA Conference marked a decisive shift in local government policy, one centred on collaboration, respect, and meaningful empowerment. Her vision of a local government anchored by stable funding, robust oversight, and devolved powers reflects a response to years of top-down mismanagement. By reinforcing local councils as key pillars in delivering essential public services, Rayner aims to establish a foundation for lasting improvements, fostering stronger communities across the UK.
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