Lyons Inquiry:
"Local government's active support is needed now" says Lyons
Lyons Inquiry Press Notice: 5 July 2006
Sir Michael Lyons today challenged local government representatives to play an active role in building support for change in their communities.
In his speech to the Local Government Association Annual Conference, Sir Michael argued that as he moves towards his final conclusions, he needs local councils to engage with their communities, partners and local businesses about some of the difficult choices that lie ahead.
Sir Michael's speech highlighted the findings of his May paper "National Prosperity, Local Choice and Civic Engagement" which outlined the value of greater local choice, the "place-shaping" role of local government and the need for greater confidence and capability within local government to take on this broader role.
Sir Michael moved on to set out some provisional conclusions about what this could mean for local government function and funding, including that:
- The country faces some difficult choices in the future, many of which are best made at the local level
- Flexibility may be more important than new powers, in both function and funding
- Public understanding of the case for local taxation is frail
- Central government needs to improve the incentives for local government
Sir Michael argued that councils must demonstrate that they are ready to:
- Build local trust and accountability
- Act as champions for efficiency
- Engage with communities about hard choices
- Use new flexibilities
Between now and reporting to Ministers in December, the Lyons Inquiry will explore further what this means for local taxation and local responsibilities. The Inquiry will also consider what needs to change for local government to take on a bigger role, including the convening role in coordinating services across the local area.
Notes for Editors
- Sir Michael Lyons was originally commissioned in July 2004 by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor to make recommendations on how to reform the local government funding system by December 2005. On 20 September 2005 the remit of the Inquiry was extended to enable Sir Michael to consider issues of function before finalising his conclusions on funding.
- On 15 December 2005 Sir Michael issued a consultation paper and interim report, inviting responses to the questions posed by 13 March 2006. At the same time submissions received from organisations and the research commissioned by the Inquiry were also published.
- On 8 May 2006 Sir Michael published a further paper, "National Prosperity, Local Choice and Civic Engagement", which set out his latest thinking on the future role and function of local government, including:
- greater local choice can improve public satisfaction, deliver better value for money and help manage pressures on services;
- "place-shaping" is the responsibility of all councils, and involves developing a distinctive sense of place and promoting economic, social and environmental well-being; and
- local government must make further improvements to discharge this broader role, through: building on best practice in the family of local government; better engagement with citizens and taxpayers; demonstrating strong commitment to value for money; and reshaping the way it works with other services, voluntary and business organisations, and most of all with local citizens and taxpayers.
- Copies of the May and December reports, submissions, research commissioned, and the terms of reference for the Inquiry, can be found on the Lyons Inquiry website
- Sir Michael will present his final recommendations and findings to Government on the future role, function and funding of local government in December 2006.
- Any press enquiries should be directed to GNN on 020 7261 8356.
