News and views from the Local Government Association “After another extreme winter and the unprecedented recent flooding, our roads are now in such disrepair that it will take more than a decade and £12 billion to bring them up to scratch.” Cllr Peter Box, Chair of the LGA’s Economy and Transport Board, p3
P8-10 Healthy future
A year on from the transfer of public health responsibilities to councils, what does the future hold? P11 Income generation Councils are taking a more commercial approach to raising income from their activities
Fortnightly Issue 564 5 April 2014
P14 Parliament School places and deregulation
P12 Protecting communities Councils, the Environment Agency and other local partners have worked together to support flood-hit communities
EDITORIAL
Tax, spend, vote Last week, I gave evidence to MPs on fiscal devolution. Shortly, like many of you, I will start campaigning for re-election. The two issues are not unconnected. Fiscal devolution – of spending, tax and borrowing powers – offers a positive way to protect public services, and promote economic growth and democratic engagement, as advocated by the LGA’s Rewiring Public Services campaign (see www.local.gov.uk/ campaigns). On behalf of LGA members, I made the case to MPs that the current system is not delivering, and that we know how devolving funding gets better results. For example, while the national youth contract has helped 27 per cent of young people into work and learning, locally-run schemes in Yorkshire and Tyneside have delivered rates of 57 and 47 per cent respectively – around twice the outcomes. Governments of all persuasions have piloted a myriad of initiatives, from total place to city deals, and the evidence tells the same story: if you trust areas, break down barriers between local public services, share staff and pool budgets, you can save millions of pounds and deliver national and local priorities more effectively. It’s time to stop piloting and let it happen. The principle has already been established, with devolution to Scotland, and more tax and spending powers on their way to Wales. Why is it different for England? But we also think local authorities should make their case to those who elect them. It’s a poor percentage of people that currently vote at local elections. People would have an even better reason to vote if we, their representatives, were making the big decisions not only on council tax but all locally raised taxation – and all the local services they help fund. Sir Merrick Cockell is LGA Chairman Editor Karen Thornton Design Liberata Design Advertising Amanda Cowen Write to first, Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ T (editorial) 020 7664 3294 T (advertising) 020 7664 3012 email first@local.gov.uk Photography Photofusion and Ingimage unless otherwise stated Print BGP Ltd, Bicester Circulation 18,500 (January 2014) To unsubscribe email first@oscar-research.co.uk The inclusion of an advert or insert in first does not imply endorsement by the LGA of any product or service. Contributors’ views are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the LGA.
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FIRST NEWS
LGA-led betting taskforce launched
A taskforce has been launched by councils and bookies to address concerns about the clustering of betting shops on high streets and fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). The LGA set up and chaired the first meeting of the Betting Commission in London this week with BetFred, William Hill, Coral, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power. It is the first time the ‘big five’ and councils have sat down together to discuss concerns about the number of betting shops, problem gambling and high-stake FOBTs. The commission also includes representatives from the Departments for Communities and Local Government and Culture, Media and Sport, NatCen, an independent social research agency, and the Association of British Bookmakers. The first meeting considered options for addressing concerns, including a national voluntary
agreement between councils and the industry, and changes to legislation. Cllr Tony Page, LGA Licensing Spokesman and Chair of the Betting Commission, said: “This is a landmark for councils desperate to protect communities from the damage that can be caused to high streets from clustering and to residents from the harm of problem gambling. “Councils are not anti-bookies but are frustrated by the current licensing system which leaves them powerless to act on community concerns and limit the number of betting shops in their areas. “There are real fears that people losing money through high-stake FOBTs are turning to payday lenders and loan sharks to pay off debts or fund their gambling. “Credit must go to the betting industry for agreeing to join us around the table to try and find a solution.”
Inside this issue 05 Policy
Update on fire control centres
06 Letters
Garden cities and pensions
07 Opinion
Making transport work harder
08 first feature Working together to deliver better public health
13 No majority How to make NOC councils work
15 By-elections Floating voters
15 Last word Helping teens understand domestic abuse
Potholes repair bill “up £1.5 billion” Councils have called for government to finally commit to urgent investment in our roads as the bill to bring them up to scratch soars following this winter’s unprecedented and extreme weather. The annual ALARM survey of council transport bosses shows that this winter’s record rainfall has pushed the estimated repair cost to £12 billion, a £1.5 billion increase on last year. It also reported the average English authority was £5.1 million short of what it needs to properly maintain its roads and that a total of £31 million was paid out in pothole compensation claims. Cllr Peter Box, Chair of the LGA’s Economy and Transport Board, said: “Councils have long warned that our already dilapidated road network could not cope with another extreme winter. The unprecedented recent flooding experienced across the country left behind a trail of destruction to our highways. Our roads are now in such disrepair that it will take more than a decade and £12 billion to bring them up to scratch.
“Keeping our roads safe is one of the most important jobs councils do and they have worked hard to fix another two million potholes this year, despite deep funding cuts and multimillion pound compensation costs for pothole damage. “The Government has responded to our calls for extra funding to repair our roads but it is simply not enough to free councils trapped in an endless cycle of only being able to patch up our deteriorating network – which will always be more expensive than longer-term preventative work. “This country is now facing a roads crisis escalating at an alarming pace with increasingly common harsh weather and following years of underfunding. “The Government’s own traffic projections predict a potential increase in local traffic of more than 40 per cent by 2040. This further highlights the urgent need for increased and consistent investment in the widespread resurfacing projects we desperately need if we’re ever to see a long-term improvement.”
Knight to remember
News in brief Online food games concerns
Pop-up health warnings should accompany addictive online games used by food firms to target children, according to the LGA. Food giants are putting up free website games to entice youngsters or their parents into buying their products. The LGA is concerned these ‘advergames’ are plugging products containing sugars, salts and fats. Cllr Katie Hall, Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “It is unacceptable for food giants to be targeting children with these addictive games. They are threatening to undermine decades of hard work to tackle childhood obesity. We do not object to people having fun, of course. This is about ensuring consumers have all the information to make the right decisions.”
World Cup licensing
The LGA has warned that a national relaxation of licensing hours during the 2014 World Cup will leave councils having to react to any disruption rather than planning ahead to minimise problems through sensible licensing restrictions. Cllr Tony Page, LGA Licensing Spokesman, said: “A World Cup summer is always an exciting time and councils understand that watching matches in a local pub is a key part of the whole experience. Councils also support moves that bring communities together and help the local economy. However, licensing decisions should be taken locally. While councils will always look to grant extensions to well-run and responsible businesses, they need to be able to target their limited resources most effectively and protect residents living close to popular venues from unnecessary disruption.”
Have your say on first
Primary school pupils in Newton Aycliffe travelled back in time as they walked to school with a knight in shining armour and his faithful squire. It was all thanks to nine-year-old Anna Shorten (pictured) who chose the theme as part of a campaign to promote healthy lifestyles. Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, said: “MEGA Motion is a brilliant scheme, helping our children to stay healthy and teaching them all about environmentally friendly ways of travel from a young age.”
Don’t forget to have your say on the future direction and content of first, by completing our readership survey. Emails have been sent to councillors who receive the magazine, and we are keen to hear the views of readers from all parts of the political spectrum. Everyone who responds by the 14 April deadline will be entered into a draw to win a free place at an LGA conference of their choice. If you haven’t received an email, please contact research@ local.gov.uk. first is taking an extra week off for Easter and will be back out on 26 April.
FIRST NEWS
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OUR AMBITION FOR CHILDREN CONSULTATION
CLOSING DATE: 11 APRIL HAVE YOUR SAY
As part of our ‘Rewiring Public Services’ campaign, we published a set of proposals for children’s services, the key principle being the need for public service decision-making to be brought together in one place. Our new consultation aims to build on these proposals, outlining a clear set of shared ambitions for children. The document asks how all parts of the public, private and voluntary sectors can work together with children and young people, families and the wider community to achieve them. Our aim is to influence debate now and the party manifestos being written for the next General election in 2015.
You can read our full consultation document and share your thoughts at: www.local.gov.uk/our-ambition-for-children
firstpolicy called for Wales’ 22 unitaries to merge to create between 10 and 12 local authorities. Cllr Bob Wellington, WLGA Leader, said: “The WLGA has always supported the need for consistent improvement in the delivery and performance of all public services in Wales, including local government. We welcome the opportunity offered by the First Minister for discussions towards an early agreement on the future shape and functions of local government for the benefit of all the citizens of Wales.”
Finance Fire and rescue services
Control centre update
Projected savings from locally-led changes to fire and rescue service control rooms now stand at £129 million – up £1 million from early estimates made in March 2012, according to a report from the Department for Communities and Local Government. Cllr Kay Hammond, Chair of the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee, said: “This report highlights the work that fire and rescue authorities have been doing to strengthen their control room operations. It shows that partnerships have been effective in developing and implementing improvements on time and within budget. The success of this project also proves fire authorities’ ability to collaborate together and with wider blue light services to deliver the change needed locally.”
Finance Bonds agency The LGA’s Executive has given the green light to establishing a municipal bonds agency after a revised business case showed it could save local government between £1.2 billion and £1.45 billion over 30 years. The focus of the project will now be on raising the capital needed, giving councils and pension funds the opportunity to become shareholders in the agency. LGA Chairman Sir Merrick Cockell said: “Different types of councils have told us they would consider using the agency and the markets want to invest in these bonds. This is a great low-risk opportunity for local authorities and other pension funds to support investment in UK infrastructure, while receiving a better rate of return than from gilts. The huge potential for reducing local government’s
borrowing bill by introducing diversity and a council-owned competitor into our lending market is too big to ignore.”
Workforce Council pay offer Local government employees have been offered a pay increase from 1 April 2014. The majority – those on salaries starting at £14,880 a year – would receive 1 per cent, with those on lower salaries receiving a slightly higher increase. Cllr Sian Timoney, Chair of the Employers’ Side, said: “There is a broad consensus among councils that there should be a pay offer to staff this year. When local government is tackling the biggest cuts in living memory, this offer balances our commitment to increase the pay of our hardworking employees with the responsibility we have to address the significant financial pressures we face.”
Improvement Shared services At least 337 councils across the country are engaged in 383 shared service arrangements, resulting in £357 million of efficiency savings. Around 95 per cent of all English councils are sharing services with other councils. To find out about such arrangements near you, please use the LGA’s updated 2014 national shared services compendium and map, see www.local.gov.uk/sharedservices-map
Wales Local government reform The Welsh LGA has welcomed an opportunity provided by First Minister Carwyn Jones AM for further discussions on the future of local government in Wales. It follows the publication last month of the Williams Commission report, which
Audit Commission contracts The LGA has been appointed to create a new independent company to act as a transitional body when the Audit Commission closes. It will be responsible for managing the Commission’s £85 million audit contracts as well as the Value for Money profiles when it shuts at the end of March 2015. LGA Chairman Sir Merrick Cockell said: “Placing the LGA at the heart of this process will help ensure that high-quality audit continues to be delivered with stable fees.”
Improvement LG Inform Plus Have you ever wanted a readymade profile of your ward to inform local decision making on key issues? This service is now available via LG Inform Plus from the LGA, on a subscription basis. It gives easy access to up-to-date published data about local wards and other small areas, giving subscribers the power to drill down from authority-wide information to much smaller areas. LG Inform Plus also houses a suite of other helpful online applications, including clear advice about powers and duties, and guidance on retaining documents and records. See http://about.esd.org.uk/ subscription-benefits for more information.
FIRST POLICY
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sound bites Cllr Matt Tucker (Lab, Southampton) “@lgacomms right on public health, money should be used inventively to meet health outcomes through other channels.” www.twitter.com/CllrMTucker Tony Wilson (Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion) “BBC report on HB reforms backs up our work for @LGAcomms last year. Need better data, improved support. My blog: cesi.org.uk/blog/2013/aug/...” www.twitter.com/@tonywilsonCESI Cllr Sara Bedford (Lib Dem, Hertfordshire) “Happy 90th birthday to Three Rivers Lib Dem councillor Paul Goggins!” www.twitter.com/sarabedford Cllr Simon Bowkett (Lab, Dorset) “@Sir_MRC calling for fairer funding for #councils from central #government, and greater stability to aid strategic planning. #RewiringPS.” www.twitter.com/Simon_Bowkett Cllr Stephen Greek (Con, Harrow) “#Harrow planning enforcement is cracking down. Today our team tackled a former bed in shed & an unlawful shisha cafe. pic.twitter.com/ QKMgpYpoHJ.” www.twitter.com/StephenGreek Do you have a blog or a Twitter account we should be following? Let us know. Email first@local.gov.uk
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FIRST COMMENT
letters
STAR LETTER
Garden cities and pensions There were a couple of articles in first 563 on which I’d like to comment. The first one concerned the proposal for a new garden city at Ebbsfleet in Kent. Whether or not a quango is formed to develop such a project is the subject of debate. What I can’t understand is why government ministers are not talking to each other. I received a letter from Communities Secretary Eric Pickles (copy supplied) in which he said that his department had “absolutely no plans to impose a new town or garden city development upon…any part of the country”. Within two weeks of that letter being sent, Chancellor George Osborne completely overturned that
assertion. Come on government, get talking to each other or tell the truth. The second article in first referred to councillors’ access to the local government pension scheme. If councillors are to be treated as volunteers then surely that means that they don’t have a permanent place of work. That being the case, how can Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs tax the mileage allowances that are paid to those volunteers in respect of travel from their home to their respective councils’ offices? I’d be very interested to hear views on the above comments. Cllr Neil Blake (Con) Aylesbury Vale District Council
OPINION
Local transport Pensions and pay
The Government has issued a Statutory Instrument (SI) in Parliament to remove the right of local councillors to be members of their local authority’s pension scheme. This is a most disappointing state of affairs at a time when the workload of councillors is forever increasing and an ethos of the highest professionalism, coupled with a greater understanding of governance, is becoming a requisite standard. It does little to promote the elevation of our craft or morale when, time and time again, self-interest at Westminster promotes policies which undermine the value of local representation, which should be of the highest calibre and as diverse as it is representative of the community. Far from the introduction of further obstacles, access to our local authority pension schemes is a right denied to persons fulfilling the role of full-time councillor for far too long. Cllr Michael Deon Burton (Independent Residents Group) London Borough of Havering Cllr Mark Cherry makes a good point regarding allowances or salaries, and the desperate need to recruit from and encourage all sectors of our rich society to become councillors (first 563). A further serious point that merits considerable debate is the Government’s intention to exclude councillors from the Local Government Pension Scheme. This raises the thorny issue of income tax. The raison d’etre behind this is that we receive an ‘allowance’, as pointed out by Cllr Cherry. But does the fact that we receive an allowance and not a salary for our term of office, time limited, therefore mean that we should NOT be paying tax under PAYE as all councillors do in Derbyshire? The Government can’t have it both ways: if we receive a salary, we should be entitled to pension rights; if
we don’t and it is merely an allowance excluding us from pension rights, then we shouldn’t be paying tax. Cllr Keith Morgan (Lib Dem) Derbyshire County Council Chesterfield Borough Council
Money and debt
My colleague Cllr Louise Sutcliffe (first 562) drew an analogy between growth in economic and biological systems so when either is unsustainable it is damaging, resulting in death in biological systems and ‘boom and bust’ in economies. She pleaded for ‘balance’ not ‘growth’. There is another interesting scientific analogy in the Principle of Conservation of Mass and Energy, which states that mass and energy cannot be created or destroyed although they can be changed from one form to another. Thus in any closed system, the sum of all forms of energy is constant. So with the economy; the total of goods and services in the world is essentially the same now as it was at the height of the boom, and at the crash in 2008. It is those struggling to measure it that have got things badly wrong. The organisation Positive Money points out the problem lies with the practice of allowing private banks to create money supplies as debt, and then expect to have them ‘paid back’ and with interest. Consequently there is not enough ‘money’ in the world to repay all the so-called loans. The world’s debt is said to total $40 trillion. Positive Money asks to whom do we owe this money? Jupiter? Positive Money (and others) suggest only central banks such as the Bank of England should have the power to create money (as they do with banknotes), under the control of a politically independent committee with a remit to control inflation. I recommend their website at positivemoney.org for the detail. Cllr David Cook (Lab) Newcastle City Council
What do you think? You can comment on these letters online at www.local.gov.uk/first-letters or submit your own letter for publication by emailing first@local.gov.uk. Letters may be edited and published online
Transport should be working harder for jobs and growth. The latest international research shows that there are few forms of public expenditure that have a bigger impact on growth. Countries like Germany get it. Between 1990 and 2004, increased spending in Germany on transport and communications accounted for 2 per cent higher GDP growth in Germany than in the UK. Yet in England, capital investment in local transport outside London was the hardest hit area of transport spending in the 2010 spending review. Although spending levels are on an upward trajectory again, it still lags behind the growth in spending in other areas of transport. What’s clear is that more glamour and political machismo attaches itself to national roads and rail spending than it does to local transport spending (outside London at least) – yet what the surveys of business show is that they attach as much, if not more, importance to having local transport networks that can get people into work, goods delivered, and shoppers into city centres. The biggest challenge of all on local transport is on revenue spending – which is declining precipitously. Declining revenue spend has three main impacts. It means a ‘Beeching’ on the buses as the 20 per cent of bus networks that are supported by local government are cutback. It could affect regional rail services as already government officials are seeing an opportunity to act out their Beeching fantasies over networks which have often outperformed the South East for growth in patronage and which are fundamental for keeping freight off the roads, sustaining rural tourism and providing the commuter networks that our big regional cities need. And finally, it affects local government’s capability and capacity to deliver capital schemes efficiently, effectively – or even at all. The case is strong for investing in transport to support jobs and growth. It’s a case that is increasingly recognised by government. The challenge now is to ensure that local transport outside London gets its fair share of the overall transport investment pot, and that a solution is found to the increasingly unsustainable mismatch between government enthusiasm for transport capital spend and local transport revenue destitution.
Jonathan Bray is Director of the pteg Support Unit, see www.pteg.net
FIRST COMMENT
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The year ahead looks set to be another challenging one for councillors working on the health and wellbeing of local residents
Healthy future This month marks the first anniversary of health and wellbeing boards taking up their new, statutory responsibilities and functions. It has been a busy and rewarding year with much to celebrate. Boards have established important relationships with other health and public sector organisations; overseen the transfer of public health; and agreed their plans and strategies. And in October 2015, the final part of the public health transfer – when responsibility for children aged five and under will move from NHS England to local authorities – will bring with it a crucial opportunity to take a fresh look at children’s health services.
Support The LGA has been providing support to health and wellbeing boards (HWBs) via its health and wellbeing systems improvement programme, funded by the Department of Health. Sharing knowledge and learning is at the heart of the programme, and in 2013/14 it supported HWBs via peer challenges, an updated self-assessment tool, and the Healthwatch implementation team – which has been helping councils set up and support local Healthwatch groups.
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FIRST FEATURE
Last month, the LGA hosted an improvement event which brought together HWB members for presentations and workshops by their peers and sector leaders. Delegates reflected on what they have learned from the successes of the past year, and there was lots of healthy discussion about HWBs being a key part of the changes arising from the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Outcomes As pressures on local health and care systems increase, HWBs have the opportunity to make a big difference to the way services are delivered and outcomes are achieved. They are in the prime position to influence and ensure the best outcomes for their local communities. The creation of HWBs has resulted in new relationships, bringing together local parties to debate and tackle key issues around health and social care, pooling of budgets, and addressing local issues – with local accountability being the driving force. The challenges ahead include a very difficult financial situation and a very complex environment. HWBs need to strengthen partnerships and focus on the important issues in their area. These may include service reconfiguration and public engagement, and health and social care integration, funded by the Better Care Fund. For some HWBs, their challenges may reach beyond geographical boundaries, so it is crucial that they have a strong shared sense of what the local population needs, and can show that they are locally driving the health system by tackling key issues.
One of the many public health concerns is childhood obesity. Professor Kevin Fenton, of Public Health England, references this in his article (see right), noting that one in five children in Year 6 (aged 10 to 11) is obese. In east London, the Olympic host boroughs put together a strategy and work plan to tackle land and planning and childhood obesity, looking at ways of reducing high calorie drinks at schools and the number of takeaway shops selling unhealthy food. It’s early days, but this is a good example of working together to address problems.
Change The coming year is another exciting one for HWBs. It won’t be easy, but it is absolutely crucial that we continue to work together to deliver real and lasting change for the better, transforming not only the health and social care system but helping to change the lives of children, young people and adults for the better. The LGA is looking forward to working with HWBs to meet these challenges and build on the successes so far.
For more information see www.local. gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing-boards. See also www.nhsconfed.org/hwb for multimedia resources distilling lessons learned from the first year of HWBs
Challenges ahead After a 40-year hiatus, public health is back at the heart of local government. That’s where it needs to be, as local authorities and health and wellbeing boards face challenges unprecedented in recent history. A year since transition, the groundwork has been laid. Not only have health and wellbeing boards produced their joint strategic needs assessments (JSNAs) and joint health and wellbeing strategies (JHWSs), but many local authorities have gone further. They’ve found new ways of embedding public health throughout the whole of the council and linking health to its wider determinants.
Complexity We need these new approaches. One in five children in Year 6 (aged 10 to 11) is obese. Most people will reach a retirement age of 68 with a disability. Sick days cost our economy £14 billion a year. The country faces a rising tide of need, as people live longer but spend more of those years in ill-health, largely because of preventable chronic diseases. Trying to fix this by focusing on treatment alone is not the answer. First, we won’t be able to afford it, given the projected funding outlook. Second, it’s unlikely to work, given that health outcomes owe more to behaviours and socio-economic factors (such as income and education) than to clinical care. Local authorities know this. They’re intensely focused on these complex problems. I’ve heard this first-hand from directors of public health and local authority chief executives. They want to do something about obesity, alcohol and unhealthy lifestyles. They’re worried about how austerity is affecting the health of vulnerable people. They want youngsters to get the best start in life and older citizens to feel safe and connected. For people to enjoy healthier lives, they need healthy environments. They need to live, work and play in places that promote wellbeing: in schools, at the office and at home; on streets and in parks. And a healthier environment has many other benefits: getting one more child to walk to school could pay back £768 in productivity gains, reduced air pollution, congestion,
savings in NHS costs and health benefits, according to the King’s Fund. Speed limits, enforced with safety cameras, are effective at reducing deaths and health and social care costs, and improving sustainability. So this is the first challenge – and opportunity – I’d highlight: how can local authorities everywhere take advantage of their wide powers to promote healthy environments? There are many great examples of what’s possible: for instance, Newham’s healthy urban planning and Birmingham’s urban trees. Another major challenge is how local authorities mobilise all of their resources to take on the biggest health problems. Again, there are some great examples: Brighton’s alcohol strategy has brought together the public, parents, local business and off-licences and drawn on a partnership across council departments. The role of Public Health England is to support local government’s ambitions, whether it’s through data, evidence of cost effectiveness, examples of best practice and expert advice (in public health, behavioural change, health equity). We’ll learn faster and better by leveraging this intelligence across the system. We must focus on what we know works, prioritise what will make the greatest difference, and monitor progress to ensure we are on an accelerated track. The ultimate ambition is to foster a culture that’s focused on how we create and sustain health across all our communities, at all stages of people’s lives. With public health in local government, we’re closer to getting there. Professor Kevin Fenton is Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England
FIRST FEATURE
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District councils are critical to the success of public health in two-tier areas, writes Cllr Chris Saint
Making a difference As we mark a year since public health transferred back to local government, district councils have made a significant contribution to improving public health in two-tier areas. The District Councils’ Network published ‘District action on public health’ in February 2013, and since then we have held a series of seminars for district and county councils looking at how in two-tier areas district councils can have a strong involvement in public health. We have been able to showcase some fantastic examples of innovative thinking and effective partnership working, and share best practice about how district councils can make a difference locally while continuing to make financial efficiencies.
Health is a golden opportunity where by making investment now, we will all benefit from reduced costs to the public purse in future. Many of the services district councils provide can help tackle health inequalities and improve the lives of our residents in two-tier areas. District councils are working closely with county council colleagues, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), local groups, registered providers of social housing and GPs to deliver practical interventions. Housing plays a major role in the wellbeing of families and individuals. District councils have statutory responsibility for housing, so we are well-placed to tackle the effects of damp, poor quality, and short-term housing on physical and mental health. Our role includes making sure the private rented sector is providing good quality homes; providing advice to prevent
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FIRST FEATURE
homelessness; helping people when it does happen; and delivering new, affordable homes for communities. The district councils in Leicestershire, for example, have set out a ‘housing offer to health’, which has been welcomed by the local health and wellbeing board and CCGs. It plans to provide practical support in the form of adaptations, handy person services and energy efficiency interventions to people in their own homes. Delivered quickly, these will prevent hospital admissions and speed up hospital discharge, reducing NHS costs.
Healthy living In planning, district councils can use our statutory role to ensure new housing comes with sufficient green space and local amenities. In South Oxfordshire, the district council is using its spatial planning role to encourage healthy living and help older people maintain their independence. In Didcot, one residential development has a walking, cycling and fitness route; in another, 10 per cent of the 3,300 houses will be ‘lifetime homes’ to support the changing needs of families at different stages of life. Environmental health is a statutory service most associated with district councils and public health. Elmbridge Borough Council has developed an online toolkit to empower residents to address noise nuisance. This has increased noise awareness among residents and businesses, seen a significant shift towards online reporting and improved the quality of evidence gathered.
Fitness In my own area, Stratford, our sports development team has secured a Quest award for their consistent approach to getting people engaged in physical activity, particularly through fitness walks for all ages. So as we celebrate the first anniversary of public health returning to local government, let us make sure that the contribution of district councils is properly harnessed – so we can look back on the current changes as a time of real improvements in the health and wellbeing of local people.
Cllr Chris Saint (Con) is the District Councils’ Network’s Lead for Health and Wellbeing and Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council
In these tough financial times, councils are taking a more commercial approach to their activities, writes Cllr Peter Fleming
Income generation Given the cuts councils have already faced during this Parliament, it is no surprise they are paying increasing attention to the income side of their balance sheets in order to protect essential services. In the current financial climate, a large number of councils are now thinking through a more commercial approach to their activities. My own council, Sevenoaks, has an ambition to become grant-free by 2020 – we do not want to be dependent upon central government but masters of our own destiny. Councils’ income generation activity needs to be significant, and meet some broad corporate objectives. By significant I mean generating big sums, of six figures or more, for example from developing new homes to meet housing needs, with the aim of generating a long-term and sustainable income stream. Secondly, it is essential income generation is broadly aligned to a council’s corporate plans and objectives. It is important that what we do adds value to other services we provide or issues our residents face. It is also important we become commercial in areas in which we have experience and a legitimate presence. Our research shows councils’ income generation activity falls broadly into three areas: through council assets, such as buildings and parks but also through staff, knowledge and experience; by trading services with other councils or delivering services to other parts of the public sector; and through selling commodities, such as recyclables.
For example, by the end of this financial year Eastleigh Borough Council will have invested more than £100 million to create a longer-term income stream. Its acquisition of the Ageas Bowl, at £40 million, includes the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club, as well as a golf course and a hotel which are currently being built. This will return an annual net income of around £2 million – and create 500 local jobs. Just 30 per cent of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s income comes from grant and tax, and 70 per cent from other sources – the reverse of the normal proportion. Some £15.5 million comes from their commercial property portfolio, the fifth largest in the country, and £3.5 million from investment income. The council has purchased the freehold of the Festival Place shopping centre which gives a 5 to 6 per cent annual return, compared to the 1 or 2 per cent reserves can earn in the bank. Councils are also starting to receive an income from commodities such as recyclables, rather than paying for them to be taken away. There is a huge range in the income councils receive from their recycling: the best get around £55 per tonne, but some pay around £70 per tonne to have it taken away. Last year Harrow became one of the first local authorities to sell recyclables to a waste management firm in an online auction. They received £36 per tonne, plus a share in any profits above a baseline sell-on price of £78 a tonne, generating £900,000 of income.
The LGA will continue to guide councils in the vital components which contribute to commercial activities and as part of this, income generation events around the country are planned for later in the year. You can also visit www.local.gov. uk/income-generation to find out more. Whatever the size and location of your authority, there are income generating opportunities out there – the trick is finding the right one.
Cllr Peter Fleming is Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board
FIRST FEATURE
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Councils, the Environment Agency and other local partners have worked together to protect and support communities hit by the winter floods – and more remains to be done, write Cllr Mike Jones and Cllr Robert Light
Protecting communities
This winter, large parts of the country have faced an extraordinary combination of prolonged periods of heavy rain, gale-force winds, tidal surges and large waves. Since December 2013, more than 7,000 properties have been flooded across England. Throughout this time, the Environment Agency (EA), councils and emergency services have been working with other partners to help communities at risk. This has included running pumping stations, putting up temporary defences, distributing sandbags, issuing warnings, coordinating evacuations, setting up rest centres, clearing blockages from rivers, watercourses and drains, and providing support for vulnerable people – often in challenging conditions. This extraordinary effort has not been in vain. More than 1.4 million properties and 2,500 square kilometres of farmland have been protected, through a combination of emergency response and flood defences.
Sharing resources In Romsey, Hampshire, a multi-agency response saw local agencies work together to protect an under threat river bank and reduce the risk of 300 properties flooding. By combining skills, knowledge and resources, the group delivered a faster, more effective response than working in isolation. Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, the EA, police, fire and rescue services and the military were all involved in the operation to lay 40,000 sandbags to bolster flood defences. Water flow was also redirected away from Fishlake stream (where it was overtopping and flooding homes and businesses) into a larger channel of the River Test downstream. Another joint operation between Surrey County Council, Tandridge District Council, Croydon Council, the EA and the military involved the building of four temporary reservoirs on farmland to slow and divert water flow from the Caterham Bourne. This helped prevent flooding shutting down a waterworks serving 47,000 people; stopped further flooding to around 450 homes; and enabled a flooded A-road to reopen. These are just two examples of the excellent partnership work undertaken in response to the exceptional weather. In addition, more than 70 per cent of fire and rescue services in England and Wales and over 3,500 military personnel provided assistance to flood-affected areas. As the weather improves, it is important to remember that the work is just beginning. The long road to recovery for flood-hit communities is often a tough one. Local authorities continue to work with the EA and other local agencies, including the voluntary and community sector, to rebuild affected communities.
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FIRST FEATURE
Repairs For many, the risk of flooding remains and partnerships remain ready to respond. As of the end of February, many areas remain saturated and groundwater levels are exceptionally high – and are expected to remain high for the next three months across the Thames Valley and southern England. The EA and LGA have been working to make sure government gains a full picture of the total damage to, and repair costs for, flood and coastal defences and infrastructure. Government has responded with £270 million in additional funding for defences and £383.5 million for roads.
Councils are also playing a crucial role in getting national recovery funding out quickly to help businesses and households recover and increase their resilience. As the clean-up continues, councils and the EA are working with other partners to learn from what went well, as well as identifying lessons for different approaches in the future. This will further strengthen our commitment to partnership to defend and protect people and businesses. Cllr Mike Jones is Chairman of the LGA’s Environment and Housing Board and Cllr Robert Light is Deputy Chairman of the Environment Agency and an LGA
As local electors head to the polls next month, there is a lot to be learned from the experience of councils without majority administrations, writes Cllr Peter Fleming
No overall control With local elections across large parts of England in May, many councillors are now actively preparing for the campaign and speculating about the potential outcomes in their areas, while national commentators will be looking for trends that might indicate the outcome of the next general election. Over recent years we have seen a substantial number of councils where no one political party has an outright majority – and there is no reason why this should not be the case in May. Coming to terms with change can be challenging for leading members and senior officers. So it is timely to remind councillors of the support the LGA provides for councils that change political control, whether to a single party administration or no overall control. This includes the publication of our new guide for councillors and chief executives about working in a no overall control situation. We have spoken to a range of leading members, capturing their experience and advice for members who find themselves in this situation for the first time. Some of their advice is set out in the checklist shown, right. Beyond this guide, the LGA’s wider offer to councils facing a change of political control includes up to five days free support from our experienced member peers and free support for councillors in opposition who are likely to form administrations. This can typically involve facilitating workshops and away days to build relationships, clarifying strategic priorities and mentoring for leaders or portfolio holders. Further details are available from your LGA principal adviser or a lead member peer for your area, whose respective details can be found by going to www.local.gov.uk and searching for ‘LGA principal advisers’, and clicking on the ‘political groups’ links. Our revised guide, ‘No overall control: learning further lessons from councils without a majority administration’, is available at www.local.gov.uk/publications.
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Cllr Peter Fleming is Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board
FIRST LGA
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PARTNERS
PARLIAMENT
Special needs PQs and deregulation and e-bullies Quantitative research suggests that people with disabilities are a huge 20 per cent less likely than their peers to use the internet. The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) has consulted children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) about using the internet. What emerged was that they are not using it as much as those who don’t have SEND due in part to cyber-bullying and experiences of discriminatory behaviour. Where young people with SEND did use the internet, many had first-hand experience of an often discriminatory and hostile environment, and cyberbullying. In many instances this was an extension of the face-to-face bullying they already experienced at school, and meant that rather than escaping the issue at home it became a 24-hour problem which infiltrated even ‘safe’ environments.
Additionally, many young people said they were often not believed about instances of cyberbullying, or had experienced a lack of support and appropriate responses from adults – who often suggested ‘avoiding the internet’ as the best strategy for combating the problem. More in-depth research is needed, but ultimately, the solution lies in better education in the classroom with information that is accessible for all children and young people, better training for teachers and support for parents. ABA is working in partnership with local government, using its community knowledge to deliver area-specific training through schools and the wider children’s workforce. ABA welcomes feedback from councils about the specific issues facing their communities in regards to bullying, to ensure we continue to deliver an informed programme of work. Free local training aimed at reducing bullying of children and young people with SEND is available until April 2015 and we want to work with local areas to deliver this. The Anti-Bullying Alliance also welcomes membership from local government. See www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/send-programme for more on this programme. Martha Evans is Senior Programme Lead for SEND and Inclusion at the Anti-Bullying Alliance
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FIRST POLITICAL
Commons’ question time sessions are an opportunity to scrutinise government ministers about matters for which they and their departments are responsible. Similar to Prime Minister’s Questions, they usually occur every six weeks. Departmental parliamentary questions are important for the LGA because they offer opportunities for us to work with MPs to bring certain issues to ministers’ attention and highlight concerns. This can be by asking an MP to table a particular question or following up with those who have been selected to suggest supplementary questions. For example, in advance of the recent Department for Education Questions, the LGA briefed Shadow Schools Minister Kevin Brennan MP (Lab, Cardiff West) on our recent school places analysis. In his question to Schools Minister David Laws MP (Lib, Dem, Yeovil), Mr Brennan drew attention to the LGA’s analysis and our warning that a further 130,000 primary places will be needed by 2017/18. Mr Laws, in his response, said the Government is allocating funding to support the expansion of community schools which should contribute to alleviating this shortfall in school places. Meanwhile, the Deregulation Bill finished its Commons Committee stages last week. The LGA has worked very closely with Labour MPs Chris Williamson (Derby North) and Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North), who moved new clauses on removing the housing borrowing cap and localising right to buy. Mr Hopkins said that his proposed amendments were progressive measures which would go a long way to solving our housing problems. Meeting housing need and demand locally will not be achieved through the private sector alone and councils have to play an active role to deliver the scale of housing needed, he added. Toby Perkins MP (Lab, Chesterfield), Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, moved a new clause, supported by the LGA, on consolidating
licensing legislation in line with the LGA’s ‘Rewiring Licensing’ proposals. Mr Perkins argued this would be in line with the principle of recognising the huge pressures that local government is under, given the level of cuts expected of the sector. Responding for the Government, the Solicitor General, Oliver Heald MP (Con, North East Hertfordshire), said it welcomed the valuable work undertaken by the LGA which would be taken seriously by departments over the coming months as they continue to identify ways to deregulate sensibly. But he felt that complete consolidation of licensing legislation was unnecessary. The new clause was pushed to a division in the Committee, and was narrowly defeated by the Government. The evidence for the LGA’s proposals was outlined in a briefing circulated to all MPs on the Committee, and the LGA will continue to support these measures when the Bill progresses to the Lords. • See www.local.gov.uk/parliament
BY-ELECTIONS ANALYSIS
LAST WORD
Floating voters The trend towards fewer electors being loyal and committed supporters of any one political party has had several consequences. It has become harder to persuade people to turn out to vote in the first place and then, if they do, they are more likely to cast their ballot for someone other than a representative of the Labour and Conservative ‘big beasts’. In the case of those local government elections where a ward returns more than one councillor, voters also appear to have become more prone to support candidates from different political groups at the same time. In 2010, for example, the deviation from straight ticket voting in the London boroughs was sufficiently strong such that 100 of 623 multimember wards elected councillors from more than one party. The two gains by the ‘big beasts’ in these latest by-election results both reflect that phenomenon. The three-member Gedling ward saw Labour secure the top two places in 2011, with one of the Liberal Democrats getting in just ahead of the third Labour candidate. It was his resignation that caused the by-election and Labour proved that it retains support in this part of Nottinghamshire.
Similarly, in Cellarhead in Staffordshire Moorlands, the death of the well-known Staffordshire Independent councillor led to that party’s vote collapsing and the Conservatives grabbing the second seat in the ward that had eluded them because of her popularity three years ago. The St John’s ward in Fylde was also split in 2011, with the Conservatives winning two seats and the councillor whose death caused this latest vacancy taking the third seat having been formally listed as an Independent. However, four years previously she had been elected as a Fylde Ratepayer candidate and their ‘gain’ here is probably therefore more apparent than real. UKIP’s best result was a 28 per cent share of the vote in St Anne’s, Sunderland. This still left them well adrift of Labour despite the by-election being caused by the sitting councillor resigning following a benefits fraud conviction.
Professors Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher are Directors of Plymouth University’s Elections Centre
Local by-elections Authority
Ward
Result
Swing % Turnout from/to (since) %
Broadland
Wroxham
LD hold
1.4% Con to LD (2011)
25.0
Dartford
Stone
Lab hold
3.6% Con to Lab (2011)
23.0
Fylde
St. Johns
Rate gain from Ind
n/a
34.7
Gedling
Gedling
Lab gain from LD
0.5% LD to Lab (2011)
28.0
Oxfordshire
Chalgrove & Watlington
Con hold
14.2% Con to LD (2013)
23.2
Rushcliffe
Gamston
Con hold
3.4% Con to Lab (2011)
25.6
Staffordshire Moorlands
Cellarhead
Con gain from ind
10.4% Ind to Con (2011)
21.0
Sunderland
St. Annes
Lab hold
26.1% Lab to UKIP (2012)
22.7
Torridge
Bideford East
Ind hold
n/a
15.6
For more details, see this story at www.local.gov.uk/first-news
Know this isn’t love Last year in the UK more than 1.2 million women suffered domestic abuse with a staggering 76 per cent of incidents repeated. These crimes are often hidden away behind closed doors, with the victim suffering in silence. Here at Camden Council, tackling domestic and sexual violence is a key priority with much work invested in raising awareness and encouraging victims to come forward. Camden Safety Net, a dedicated service dealing with domestic violence in the borough, successfully reduced the level of risk faced by victims in over 90 per cent of cases. Last April, the Home Office changed the definition of domestic violence to include 16 to 17-year-olds and coercive control. National research also revealed young people are frequently unaware of what constitutes abuse, control and violence in relationships. For example, one in five girls considered it acceptable for a partner to shout at them and call them names. This highlighted a new challenge for Camden, whereby we must change attitudes and behaviours to prevent further generations of victims suffering physical, emotional, sexual or psychological abuse by their partner. We created a campaign, ‘Know this isn’t love’, to highlight the signs of relationship abuse among young people, working with students to shape the messages and visual elements of the project. A powerful two-minute video captured common themes of abuse seen particularly in the relationships of this age group, with the message positioned to help throw the spotlight on unhealthy behaviours. Campaign materials appeared at bus stops, in cinemas, leisure centres, schools, youth centres and the Camden residents’ magazine, as well as on the website – all signposting young readers to a mobile-optimised site to find out where to go for help and advice. School teachers and youth organisations have shared the campaign with their students. With a self-referral already resulting from the campaign, we hope more young people will come to recognise the signs of an unhealthy relationship, support those who have found themselves in an abusive relationship and protect others from becoming a victim of relationship abuse. You can view and share the video at www.camden.gov.uk/notlove Cllr Abdul Hai (Lab) is Cabinet Member for Community Safety, London Borough of Camden
FIRST POLITICAL
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www.local.gov.uk/events EVENT FEATURE
Food for thought: joint approaches to healthy eating
Event listings Healthy schools, healthy citizens: the council and school’s role in improving health and wellbeing outcomes – FREE 28 April, London
Healthy students are better learners and make healthy communities. Schools have a tremendous opportunity to positively impact on a child’s attitude towards healthy behaviours that can last a lifetime.
Introduction to social impact bonds in health 12 May, London Trans-fats, salt, sugar, horses – if we are what we eat, how worried should we be? With the return of public health responsibilities to local government, councils’ food responsibilities now stretch right the way across the food chain, from ensuring food safety and hygiene and the integrity of composition and labelling, through to the broader strategic goals of helping people to lead healthy lives and reducing obesity. Councils’ food work encompasses many different teams, including public health, environmental health and trading standards, and reaches out to different stakeholders, including consumers, producers and retailers. In short, councils have been tasked with creating the right conditions for people to make healthy choices. But what does that mean in practice? ‘Food for thought’, a free conference for
LGA members taking place in London on 26 June, will explore some of the key issues facing public and environmental health teams as they plan their joint work on food, and look at some of the joint approaches that are already working. Among the issues that will be covered are social responsibility and business engagement, healthy eating projects in food outlets, and public health and regulatory services. Confirmed speakers include Andrew Opie, Head of Food Policy at the British Retail Consortium; Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England; Professor Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy, City University London; Julia Hall, West Yorkshire Trading Standards; Mark Luxton, Business and Consumer Support, Cornwall Council; and Dr Amelia Lake, Lecturer, Knowledge Exchange in Public Health, Durham University.
EVENT NEWS
Schools’ workforce policies The LGA is holding two events on changes to teachers’ pay and conditions coming into effect from September 2014. Delegates will have the opportunity to hear about the policy thinking behind the changes, a school leadership perspective and what to look out for in terms of the employment law implications.
These one-day conferences – in York on 18 June and London on 23 June – will provide information and perspectives on the latest changes, including the new arrangements for heads’ and other school leaders’ pay. For more information and to book your place, see www.local.gov.uk/events
Big Lottery Fund has appointed Social Finance in partnership with the LGA to offer a support package for those developing social impact bonds and other ‘payment by results’-based social investments, as part of the Fund’s Commissioning Better Outcomes programme.
Achieving local outcomes through heritage and the historic environment 11 June, Birmingham
This free event is designed to enable portfolio holders responsible for heritage, and heritage champions, to better advocate for the contribution heritage can make to council priorities. It will involve sharing the latest good practice and considering the skills required to influence more effectively within councils facing difficult budget decisions.
For further listings visit www.local.gov.uk/events