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Jake Atkinson Chief Officer, LRALC

Formed by Parish Councils - Run for Parish Councils - Delivering to Parish Councils The Power to Deliver – Local Councils and Local Services. Jake Atkinson Chief Officer, LRALC. Background. Time of significant change in local government.

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Jake Atkinson Chief Officer, LRALC

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  1. Formed by Parish Councils - Run for Parish Councils - Delivering to Parish CouncilsThe Power to Deliver – Local Councils and Local Services Jake Atkinson Chief Officer, LRALC

  2. Background • Time of significant change in local government. • Both principal and local councils are seeing an increase in demand for services. • New methods of joint and independent working emerging. • Much existing and emerging good practice throughout the sector. • 9,000 local councils provide a rich supply of knowledge and experience. • Culture, behaviour, ambition, political will, availability of financial resources, and technical expertise vary hugely. • National policy, financial pressures, new powers, and a strong desire to support our residents are driving interest in the role of local councils in local service provision.

  3. Background Parish &Town Councils (& to a lesser extent Parish Meetings): • Have a huge and growing range of powers at their disposal to provide services, facilities, funding, etc., if they choose to. • Remain uncapped (i.e. free to precept according to need). • Are eligible for a range of grants and other funding not open to District/Borough, and County Councils. • Have strength in numbers and can work in partnership with themselves and others. • Have the support of LRALC and NALC and a huge range of resources. • Have the support of Govt; now easier to create new ones. • But.......face uncertainty in terms of precepts in future years.

  4. Some facts and figures 8,805 parishes, charter trustees and Temples (local precepting authorities) instructed their billing authority to collect Council Tax on their behalf in 2013/14; a collective tax base of 7.3 million band D equivalent properties The total Council Tax collected in 2013-14 by these bodies is £367 million, representing 1.6% of the total Council Tax requirement for England of £23.4 billion Average band D Council Tax bill for local precepting authorities in 2013/14 is £50.19, which is an increase of £2.45, or 5.1% on the 2012 to 2013 figures. CIPFA said "This small increase actually represents less than 0.2% of the average family's council tax bill which is less than 5 pence a week."

  5. Real life example – A Harborough PC • Parish precept 2013-14 = £6,996.99 • Tax base 2013-14 = 245.3 • Precept / tax base = Band D £28.52 An “average” precept for the same council • Parish precept 2013-14 = £12,311.61 • Tax base 2013-14 = 245.3 • Precept / tax base = Band D £50.19

  6. The Government and Localism • Govt says local councils “have a close understanding of what their communities want and can tailor a wide range of local services including grants to local organisations and financing projects such as new community buildings and facilities” • Chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) says it is “true that sometimes local councils themselves could react and respond more dynamically to this rapidly changing policy context and to local needs and aspirations”. • Local councils themselves need to embrace this agenda for it to be effective. • Government doesn’t always make it easy to do this……!

  7. The local picture – the appetite exists?

  8. How can a PC replicate CC services? • You can’t! • But there are things you can do. • If you want to keep certain local services your council will probably need to do more. • Solutions designed, developed and delivered locally can be better placed to secure cost effective outcomes for people & communities. • Local “ownership” can often make better use of local knowledge, assets, & infrastructure. • PCs are usually efficient (cost : benefit ratio)

  9. Different models of service delivery • Community Asset Transfer • Clustering • Service Delegation • Joint Service Provision • The Charter Approach • Etc

  10. Different models of service facilitation • Procuring and commissioning services. • Providing one-off or ongoing grant/funding to other bodies to provide services. • Seed funding for services. • Etc.

  11. Examples of available powers • Localism Act & General Power of Competence • s137 1972 Act – Free Resource • s19 1976 Act - Community Centres/Recreation • s133 1972 Act – Village Halls • Various Acts – Open Spaces • Various Acts – Highways • s26-29 1997 Act – Transport • s87 1936 Act – Public Convieniences

  12. Funding • Precept (not capped at present). • Income from services/facilities. • Grants (from a range of sources). • Borrowing (e.g. Public Works Loan Board). • Social Investment Business • Developer contributions (106 and CIL). • New Homes Bonus (if received). • Principal council funding (reducing).

  13. Case studies Local • Anstey Parish Council: Late Night Bus Service • Barwell Parish Council: Youth Café and CAB • Anstey and Thurcaston: Community Footpath • Birstall Parish Council: Youth Café National • Many other examples in the NALC/LGA Publication “Modelling Devolution; working together to deliver local services.

  14. Other areas of existing provision • Public toilets • Lengthsmen (minor highways maintenance) • Street lighting • Community Grant Schemes for VCS groups • Grass cutting • Community buildings and parks • School crossing patrols • Library services • Cemeteries

  15. Issues to consider • Possibility of capping in future years? • Impact of any changes to the Council Tax Support (CTS) grant in coming years. • Which areas of need to prioritise & how? • Staffing considerations (clerks/staff provide capacity, administrative support, implement council decisions, and are the main resource for most PCs). • Would you deliver services, or facilitate their delivery?

  16. Some final points • This agenda doesn’t just relate to larger PCs; you all have the same power to deliver. • Nationally and locally many smaller PCs playing a key role in service delivery already. • Already a trying and testing time for councils and cllrs; tough decisions having to be made. • More than ever councils will have to work with and listen to local people to deliver the right services in the right way.

  17. Next steps • We will analyse what you have told us (through the voting and your questions) tonight and combine this with the results from the other two events. • We will feed this back to senior officers and Cllrs at LCC • Please complete the feedback form in your pack to let us know what specific issues/areas your Council is interested in at this stage. • If common themes emerge, we may set up group workshops with the relevant LCC service managers • LCC are happy to come to relevant meetings to discuss your ideas in more detail. • Let’s keep the conversation going - keep in touch with LRALC and LCC through Jake and Nicole.

  18. Check our website for resources & info

  19. “Power To The People” Resources • www.nalc.gov.uk/Publications/Booklets_and_Resources.aspx

  20. Questions and Discussion…. ……and then voting!

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