Place-shaping: a shared ambition for the future of local government
Recent events
Lyons Inquiry final report and recommendations: national conference - 27 March 2007
Sir Michael Lyons's final report on the future role, function and funding of local government was published on 21 March 2007.
Sir Michael hosted a major national conference, offering delegates the opportunity to hear the final recommendations direct from Sir Michael, and discuss the detail of the report with Sir Michael and senior figures from across the public and private sectors as well as hear from international contributions. Presentations from the conference are available below
- Conference Press Notice
- Sir Michael's presentation at the conference
- Sir Simon Milton's remarks
- Professor Tony Travers' presentation
- Ben Page's presentation
- Steve Freer's presentation
- David Walker's remarks
Sir Michael and his Inquiry Team would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Inquiry through the many submissions and contributions received.
Lyons Inquiry final report and recommendations
Sir Michael Lyons today published the much anticipated final report from his independent Inquiry into the future role, function and funding of local government - Place-shaping: a shared ambition for the future of local government. Sir Michael argues that local government is an essential part of our system of government today. Its place-shaping role - using powers and influence creatively to promote the well-being of a community and its citizens - is crucial to help improve satisfaction and prosperity though greater local choice and flexibility.
Sir Michael Lyons's final report - launch and forthcoming conference
Sir Michael Lyons will publish his much anticipated final report from his independent Inquiry into the future role, function and funding of local government - "Place-shaping: a shared ambition for the future of local government" - at a breakfast briefing on Wednesday 21 March. Sir Michael will unveil his final recommendations and findings, highlighting the vital role that local government can play in creating a system of effective governance for the 21st century, that can manage increasing pressures on public expenditure, improve satisfaction and build more prosperous communities.
Lyons seeks views on maximising local government's contribution to future economic prosperity
Sir Michael published on 11 December 2006 his discussion document seeking views on the implications for local government of the Eddington report on transport, the Barker report on planning and the Leitch review on skills. The document provides the opportunity for those across the public, private and voluntary sectors, and members of the public, to inform Sir Michael's latest thinking as he considers how the conclusions from these three high profile reviews can enable local government to make the most effective and powerful contribution to future economic prosperity. Responses to this document should be submitted by 19 January 2007. They will inform a series of expert round-table discussions to be hosted by Sir Michael in the New Year ahead of him finalising his recommendations for publication in his final report around the time of the budget.
- Lyons Inquiry discussion document (Adobe Acrobat file 315kb)
- Lyons Inquiry Press Notice
Lyons Inquiry to advise Government on the implications of Barker, Leitch and Eddington for local government
The Chancellor announced on 6 December 2006 that he and Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, have asked Sir Michael Lyons to consider the implications for local government of the Eddington report on transport, the Barker report on planning and the Leitch review on skills in the final report from his Inquiry into the role, function and funding of local government, and to make appropriate recommendations to government. This will mean a short extension to Sir Michael's Inquiry. Sir Michael said:
"I welcome this new opportunity to reflect on the recommendations contained within the Eddington, Leitch and Barker Reviews. Taken together these three reviews represent a significant cluster of thinking and recommendations on improving economic performance at a sub-national level. Economic prosperity is a central theme to my Inquiry and this extension puts me in a unique position to ensure that my final recommendations reflect the latest thinking in this field, as well as ensuring that the recommendations from these reviews enable local government to make the most powerful and effective contribution to future economic prosperity and infrastructure. I was on course to complete my Inquiry in December, but look forward to publishing my report around the time of the budget, which provides real potential to influence the Comprehensive Spending Review."
- HMT Pre-Budget Report 2006
- Leitch Review of Skills
- Barker Review of Land Use Planning
- The Eddington Transport Study
- Lyons Inquiry Press Notice
- Newsletter to stakeholders (Adobe Acrobat file 134kb)
Lyons publishes findings from public deliberation events
On 20 November 2006, at a seminar on effective public engagement co-hosted with the IDEA and LGA, Sir Michael Lyons explored the essential role for local authorities in engaging effectively with their citizens. At the event, Sir Michael also published the results of work carried out by the Office for Public Management on behalf of the Inquiry which explores in-depth the views of a selection of the public on the role of local government.
- Lyons Inquiry Press Notice
- Executive summary
- Full report (Adobe Acrobat file 702kb)
- Presentation by Sir Michael Lyons (Adobe Acrobat file 50kb)
- Presentation by Ben Page, MORI Social Research Institute (Adobe Acrobat file 283kb)
- Presentation by Jude Cummins, OPM (Adobe Acrobat file 1.01Mb)
- Presentation by Paul Coen, Local Government Association (Adobe Acrobat file 264kb)
- Presentation by Shane Bartley, Chelmsford Borough Council (Adobe Acrobat file 346kb)
Lyons publishes summary of stakeholder events
Sir Michael Lyons published three papers from some of his recent stakeholder engagement work. The first two set out the key issues discussed at the recent councillor and business engagement events held over the summer, the third provides a brief account of the Lyons Inquiry Economic Prosperity Conference held on 14 September 2006.
9 November 2006: Scottish Local Government Finance Review - a statement from Sir Michael Lyons
"I read with interest the report of Sir Peter Burt's Local Government Finance Review Committee, 'A Fairer Way'. It raises some challenging questions about how local government can be paid for, and proposes a radical set of reforms for Scotland. While I do not agree with all of their conclusions, I think that they are right to question the traditional arguments about the balance of funding, and to highlight the need for the finance system to be based on a clear understanding of the role of local government. I am sure that the arguments and the evidence the Committee has brought to bear will contribute to debate in England as well as in Scotland."
- Scottish Local Government Finance Review Committee - website
- LGFRC Report - full document (Adobe Acrobat file from LGFRC website, size not stated)
26th October 2006: Local Government White Paper - a statement from Sir Michael Lyons
"I welcome the publication of the White Paper.
"The Government has recognised the need for a radical change in the balance of power between central and local government. Whilst this represents a great opportunity, it also requires local government to raise its game. Greater freedom for local choice and for greater variation between one community and another will leave the space for local government and its partners to address these issues with greater energy. I believe that the real achievements we have seen over the last few years show that local government are both ready and willing to take on, and rise to this challenge.
"As I highlighted in my report 'National Prosperity, Local Choice and Civic Engagement', published earlier this year, local government has a unique responsibility for place-shaping, improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area it represents.
"I am very pleased that the White Paper has taken forward the arguments I made in that report. It is a welcome step forward. I will reflect on the reforms it puts in place, as well as the important questions that remain, including how local government should best be funded, in my final report to Ministers in December 2006."
- Strong and prosperous communities - DCLG News Release
- Strong and prosperous communities - DCLG White Paper