February 2011

FOR COUNCILLORS FROM THE LGIU Localism in the spotlight Special feature on the Bill The c’llr interview Housing and local government minister Grant Shapps

Ten things you need to know… …about public protest

Contents

FOR COUNCILLORS FROM THE LGIU

Editor Alan Pickstock Deputy Editor Jane Sankarayya Design www.whateverdesign.co.uk Cover picture 20 Fiona Hanson/PA Wire Contributors Jasmine Ali is an LGiU associate Joanne Beavis is a cabinet member at Braintree District Council David Brindle is public services editor of the Guardian Michael Burton is editor of The MJ (Municipal Journal) Harry Burns is chief medical officer for Scotland Jonathan Carr-West is a director at the LGiU 14 28 Brian Connell is a Westminster City Councillor Mark D’Arcy is a Parliamentary correspondent with BBC News. 3 The first word 12 The c’llr 21 Localism – Diana Edmonds is Assistant Director Culture, Libraries and Learning A look at what’s in this issue interview partnerships Chris Game is with the Institute of Local Reality Check – Dave Wilcox Mark D’Arcy meets Housing Councils will need to work Government Studies and Local Government more with partners Catherine Heffernan is a consultant in public health 4 A forward look minister Grant Shapps Kate Henderson is chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association Brian Connell on reviving 22 Scotland – Hilary Kitchin is an LGiU associate the local economy 14 Localism – health Iain McKenzie is COSLA’s spokesperson Andy Sawford on local mayors Scotland’s public health on finance government finance review Chris Mead has recently retired as IT Mark Smulian talks to willing challenge director of the City of Berkeley, California and reluctant mayors Sarah Phillips is deputy director of the 5 Chris Game’s Centre for Public Service Partnerships@ 23 Scotland – Food LGiU A-Z of local 16 Localism – Andy Sawford is LGiU chief executive Roberta Sonnio on sustainable Mark Smulian is a freelance journalist government the Bill school dinners Roberta Sonnino is senior lecturer in Environmental Policy and Planning, Cardiff Michael Burton’s Viewpoint What you need to know University about the Localism Bill 25 Scotland – Jennifer Sprinks is a freelance journalist Sabine Virani is a policy consultant and 6 LGiU Update Finance freelance writer Andy Sawford on the LGiU’s 17 Localism and Dealing with the cuts Heather Wheeler is MP for South activity Derbyshire London Dave Wilcox is chair of the LGiU and What does the Bill mean for 26 Awards Derbyshire County Councillor 7 Media Watch London governance The winners of the 2011 David Brindle – the media are c’llr awards going through the bins again 18 Localism – districts 28 Living wage 8 Parliament How will the proposals affect Paying a living wage makes A view from Heather district councils? sense in hard times Wheeler MP 19 Localism – 30 Elections 9 10 things Jasmine Ali on the Oldham a councillor needs to know planning and Saddleworth East about public protest The Town and Country by-election Planning Association on new 10 Public health powers for neighbourhoods 31 Another view The importance of Dave Wilcox on Eric Pickles immunisation 20 Localism – Local Government Information Unit libraries 22 Upper Woburn Place 32 Postcard from Haringey’s local library London WC1H OTB 11 Finance success San Francisco 020 7554 2800 Janet Sillett on the finance Chris Mead on US style [email protected] settlement elected mayors 2 THE FIRST WORD

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I bumped in to Mary on the High Street. She was still hobbling. She’d broken her ankle two months earlier. “I guarantee it won’t snow again this year.” I assured her. Brave words those from a Derbyshire politician, until I pointed out that it was New Year’s Eve the following day. “It’s Sod’s Law.” I re-assured her. “I’ve just bought a sledge from the Pound Shop, so the chances of snow have diminished ten fold.” So far, the prediction has held, though in Edinburgh in early January I managed to slip on a glassy pavement and inadvertently crush the phone which cushioned my fall. “Just a call to give you some more information on what we do in Sweden.” said my first afternoon caller on the now partially functioning mobile. Over Christmas she’d told me that in Sweden you are required by law to clear the snow from your property and the immediate area. Given local government’s new powers to introduce … demos were orderly respectful occasions. People marched, stood and listened to speeches (and sometimes bylaws and a new general power of competence on nodded off). No rioting, looting, kettling or mounted police charges. Was the world a safer place? the way too, my ears had immediately pricked up. “What about people that live in flats, what about shops, what about the elderly and the infirm and what about people who work away from home?” I’d immediately asked. In this issue of c’llr She’d since talked to her dad back in Sweden and collected a string of answers. “Kiki, let me call you back.” I suggested. “As a man I ere at c’llr we have to confess that we A good deal of this issue, including our interview can’t walk, talk and write at the same time, and I’m are a bit out of touch with prime time with Grant Shapps, is given over to articles that just on my way to a summit.” tv. The X Factor passed us by; I’m a touch on the Bill and we probably could have filled H After I descended from Arthur’s Seat I bumped in to Celebrity might just as well have been fiilmed in twice as many pages given the Bill’s reach. the jungle (it was? Who knew?) But, we confess The ability of councils – and especially Lord Tope. to having watched – with our hands over our councillors – to adapt to the changing world is “Been talking to a Swede about snow clearing.” I said. eyes – Strictly Come Dancing. Or ‘Strictly’ as it illustrated once again by our c’llr achievement “Snow. We’ve already introduced the “Big Society” seems we have to call it. awards. Our shortlists for the nine categories in Sutton.” he beamed. “Distributed sacks of grit in Of course, we couldn’t resist the one when the included a number of councillors notable for early November to the electorate and asked them to former home office minister did a turn. Though achievements over many years. They’ve been clear and grit the roads themselves. Ten thousand we didn’t see the one when the current Business hard at work for their communities as Secretaries turned up.” Secretary stepped out after taking a step too far of State have come and gone. We also saw good “What do the Swedes do?” he asked. with a couple of undercover journalists. examples of how councillors adapt to the world as “Not certain yet.” I retorted. What can we learn from Anne Widdecombe’s it changes around them, for example forging new “Suppose you’ll be proposing a site visit?” he ventured. performance? It might be that ‘where there’s a partnerships, grasping the opportunities afforded will there’s a way’. And that seems to be how by new technology. And encouragingly there Two great ideas in two minutes and with a bottle of councils – yet again – are responding to events: were plenty of inspiring candidates for the ‘young Glasgow’s own Innes and Gunn oak-aged beer to the tougher than expected finance settlement and councillor’ and ‘new councillor’ awards. quaff, so began the best start to a New Year I’ve had the prospect of more change that’s waltzing in So, in true tv style, we come to the moment in a decade. Scholl. with the Localism Bill. when we reveal the winners…turn to page 26! Dave Wilcox is chair of the LGiU

3 Forward look ANDY SAWFORD Reform means busines

Take a long view Ministers’ plans for the localisation of business rates could be the most radical change to local government For councils the level of funding reductions this year K and next will bring a sharp focus to the immediate for more than a century. Brian Connell, considers what decisions that must be made. Looking beyond this, the government is now beginning a welcome it might mean for local democracy, development and review of local government finance, amid reports economic growth. of a conflict at the heart of the coalition about how ‘radical’ to be. The LGiU is arguing that the review should at least he Local Government Resource Review previous government’s is unlikely to generate many headlines flawed attempts at start with a broad remit and a long view around Tor send social networking sites into localisation, the Local implementing real change, rather than just tweaking meltdown but the coalition government has an Authority Business the current system. We believe that the review opportunity to radically transform the economic Growth Initiative (LABGI) should consider: fundamental reform of the grant and democratic future of our country. for spending on schemes system; the potential for local taxes; the freedom Ministers have already promised to ‘revitalise to promote economic local democracy’, rebalancing the relationship development in the city. for councils to determine local charging for services; between local and national institutions With a relatively small and council’s freedom to borrow. through the Localism Bill. Reform of the pot of money we have helped introduce new complex, migraine-inducing local government Business Improvement Districts that collectively finance regime represents the final piece in the now contribute £5.5 million a year in additional The LGiU says the government’s localism jigsaw. investment in their areas, supported back to “ We know that the system of financing councils work initiatives for residents, promoted the West review should have a relegates authorities as feeders of a central End to national and international audiences and machine which churns out a settlement for each will shortly open a business centre providing broad remit and lead area. The only way of rebalancing our economy small firms, start ups and social enterprises with from one that is dependent on targets and affordable workspace and meeting rooms. With to real change, rather handouts to one built on a dynamic and thriving the little remaining money we will fund a Creative private sector is by promoting competition Industries Programme from April, supporting a than just tweaking the and bolstering accountability at a local level. sector that employs 69,000 people locally. As councillors, we should welcome the fact With greater powers and more locally current system that the view of local government as a bloated retained business rates, councillors will have bureaucracy acting as conduit for Whitehall an opportunity to become active players in ” funds is changing the drive for growth. They will, however, This last point requires very urgent consideration Councillors will see the effects of their decisions need to demonstrate to local entrepreneurs as under the current system the Treasury will block through a new lens. Planning applications, why they should base themselves in the councils from doing anything that adds to the Public licensing decisions and infrastructure area and stay there. Their decisions will be Sector Borrowing Requirement. One consequence improvements will all have a direct impact based on the education and skills of the on an authority’s budget. The complaints of a population, the services provided locally and is that councils won’t be able to capitalise the costs few vocal NIMBYs will have to compete with the physical and fiscal conditions for businesses, of the redundancies that many will be making, and residents arguing why the council is not doing meaning that responsibility for these decisions will instead have to use their revenue funding – the more to attract employers to the area. takes on new significance. money for local services. In housing and economic development we That level of accountability will finally The review is also an opportunity to consider and will have to embrace new forms of accountability recognise the unique contribution that the then clarify other key financial issues, including to our communities. It will make our lives private sector plays in employing residents, more challenging but our decisions will take improving the environment and rejuvenating the Business Rates, the reform of the Housing on more importance. economy. As the national economy continues to Revenue Account, and the impact of changes in Localism and uniformity are incompatible. struggle local authorities have an opportunity specific grants. There have been lots of reviews Business rate localisation will create the to become genuine catalysts for growth in the in Whitehall of the way that local government is conditions necessary for genuine competition communities we serve. funded, most recently the Lyons report. This time between regions and authorities to establish Brian Connell is Westminster City themselves as centres of trade and commerce. Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, the government must grasp the nettle. In Westminster we ringfenced funds from the Enterprise and Skills.

4 Councillors’ A to Z VIEWPOINT MICHAEL BURTON

is for... Councillors will be awaiting the onset of spring this year with much trepidation. While the rest of the country prepares for Easter, better weather and maybe the Royal Wedding, councillors will be waiting for the K reaction to the toughest spending round in decades. From 5 April householders will have an idea of how their services will look for the next financial year. For many councils it has been a case of salami-slicing, or slash and burn. With staff representing such a major part of their costs the savings inevitably have fallen on jobs with entire swathes of middle and upper management culled as well as frontline and back office staff. As yet it is difficult to know how the loss of these employees will impact on the ability to provide services. Local government has come off about the worst across is for Kakistocracy. Not an the public sector. During the first weeks of this year all everyday word, but I’m still chief executives and leaders could talk about was ‘how K surprised never to have heard it big is yours?’ – cuts, that is, ranging from 10 per cent to uttered in any conversation pertaining as much as 40 per cent in some districts, exacerbated by to local government – though, if the the frontloading of the reduced grant settlement. Communities Secretary gets to read But because councils always do what they are this column, I guess that could told, including making cuts, business also goes change. It means government by the on. Many councillors will be preparing for the May worst – by the least qualified or most election which this year make that day something of a unprincipled citizens. Used in an 1829 novel by the ‘super Thursday.’ There are not only elections in 280 English satirical writer, Thomas Love English councils but also elections for the Scottish Peacock, it was resurrected during Parliament, the Welsh and Northern Assemblies, all the 2008 US Presidential election, in the form, councils in Northern Ireland, parishes in England, inevitably, of Kakistocracy T-shirts. Aimed four mayoral elections in England and of course the at students, to remind them of the importance referendum for a new parliamentary system (if the Bill of voting, they could be flying off the shelves goes ahead, which at the time of writing is uncertain). in 2012. Furthermore the government wants even more K is also for Kirtles – another possibly elections, for police commissioners and more directly unfamiliar word, unless you’re a West Yorkshire Shame on you, Barnet, Greenwich, elected mayors. The polls place a huge burden on cyclist. It’s the misspelling of its own name that Staffordshire, Wandsworth, and other guilty cash-strapped councils and for chief executives and Kirklees Council perpetrated – 20 times, no less parties. Even if you don’t invite kerb (dropped) – in its recent cycling promotion leaflet. There applications or offer a Knotweed (Japanese) electoral administrators at a time when they have were plenty more: Czechisation for Cleckheaton, removal service (thanks, Birmingham!), surely other concerns on their minds. Whelping Cycles for Wheelspin bike shop, and, you can rustle up something – kerbside recycling, The point is that despite budget cuts and reduced pleasingly, Brutalisation for British Waterways. keep fit classes, kennel licences, even some key tiers of managers local government is expected to The tools were to blame, of course – a printer’s statistics? Or, scraping the barrel, some free continue providing services, carrying out its duties and ‘unanticipated automatic spellcheck’– which keeping warm in winter advice – the dangers even taking on new responsibilities even as its budgets would have carried more conviction had the of using hot water bottles and electric blankets are cut and staff are culled. We know that many councils same council’s workmen not painted BUS SOPT together, and so on. are reviewing their non-statutory services. When the dust in 3-foot high yellow letters all over Wellington Finally, keeping dangerous wild animals. A settles after April and council leaders have a chance to Street, Dewsbury a few weeks earlier. news agency survey in 2009, using the Freedom see the impact of the new budgets they may well decide You hoard these oddities if you commit yourself of Information Act, found, in just 87 local there are some duties government wants them to do to an A to Z column. The end of the alphabet is authorities: 267 dangerous snakes, 36 camels, 36 obviously worst, but the JK pairing is also tough – scorpions, 30 crocodilians, 23 big cats, and one which are no longer viable. unless you’re doing it in Polish, when Zs are easy zebra being kept in domestic homes. Whereupon too. In English K is the 5th least used letter, and DEFRA promptly decreed that owners’ licences Michael Burton is editor of The MJ (Municipal Journal) there are plenty of major councils whose A to Zs would be extended from one to two years and the and can be followed on Twitter at MJMikeBurton or on can’t manage a single K-service. frequency of inspections reduced. Interesting! the website Localgov.co.uk

5 LGiU update update The LGiU aims to keep councillors and those working in local government informed about the latest policy development, writes Andy Sawford.

uring January our Briefings service We have also just launched a timely network particular interest recently had many thousands of readers as we of councils and other partners who are both from our member councils Dcovered issues ranging from the changes working together to develop successful family and from the government. I have discussed in social care and local health services to the intervention programmes which improve the current pressures and future challenges for impact of the Localism Bill on councils. outcomes and save money. local government with Andrew Dilnot, who is Our detailed briefing onthe Local Government In London we organised a meeting of council leading the government’s commission on social Finance Settlement was widely used in town leaders with MPs and the Minister of State for care funding and we are working with a number halls as councillors and officers got to grips with Decentralisation, Greg Clarke, to discuss the of local authorities to look at finance options, the impact of the settlement on their authorities. Localism Bill. I was delighted to be called as the and with the private sector to look at insurance All councillors in our member local authorities first witness to give evidence in Parliament as models for self funders. can access our briefings anytime via the LGiU MPs began to debate the Localism Bill. While The highlight of 2011 so far has been the website www.lgiu.org.uk. If you have any welcoming the commitment to decentralising LGiU and CCLA Councillor Achievement problems with access please let us know by email power, I used the opportunity to question Awards. Now in their second year, the Awards at [email protected]. Ministers on the 142 new powers for central attracted huge interest and we were particularly LGiU seminars remain popular, with our government that are contained in the Bill, and to pleased to receive so many nominations from recent event on the new Education Bill sold out, discuss key proposals such as those on housing local residents who value what their councillors and an excellent session on how Councillors can and planning. do. Congratulations to all those who were use social media to help communicate with local Our work on social care has attracted shortlisted and to the worthy winners. residents. Look out for future events by visiting our website. Recently we’ve been aiming to get out and about Children’s Services around the country delivering policy seminars and training on your doorstep. I personally led The extent of the government’s ambition for school capital (James review). The two reviews change in education and children’s services is led by Labour MPs on child poverty (Frank Field) sessions with councillors in Nottingham and enormous, writes LGiU education expert John and early intervention (Graham Allen) have now Manchester, while Alan Waters, who heads our Fowler. The Education Bill included proposals reported, although there will be a further report by councillor training courses, has been delivering from the Schools White Paper The Importance Graham Allen, and consultation on the Government’s member training right across the country. of Teaching published last November and approach to reducing child poverty has been Looking ahead we are trialling a series of the government Skill’s Strategy Skills for launched. The Government has also launched a call regional events in the North West and we hope Sustainable Growth. for evidence on its review of National Curriculum to do more of these local, cheaper and easier to and, separately, on a Year 1 phonics test.. attend events around the country. The Education Department has launched Our network on adapting to climate change will a succession of major reviews and The greatest changes for local government though be organising workshops in Bristol, Birmingham, consultations. These are likely to provide have already happened. The financial settlement for London, Newcastle and Manchester, so please material for the next parliamentary bill. The 2011/12 and 2012/13 has meant significant changes look out for details and get involved. reviews of child protection (Monro review), for nearly all local authorities on how children’s Our other live policy development networks and vocational qualifications (Wolf review), services are provided. The long-term effect of the include the Big Society network, which is which is likely to result in changes to the Academies Act 2010 is not known. In the short-term, helping councils to develop their own local school and college curriculum for 14 to 19 many local authorities now have to reorganise approaches to new ways of engaging citizens and year olds, are likely to continue for some support services and establish new relationships communities, and our economic development time as is the review of primary school with the converted schools. Further information can network, which focuses on how councils can testing and accountability (Bew review) and be found in LGIU policy briefings. support their local economy.

6 Media watch More rubbish in the papers

David Brindle says the media’s obsession with bin collections was given a welcome boost by the odd rotting turkey carcass and scrumpled wrapping paper spilling out into the streets.

et’s hear it for Alan Cresswell, of Bourne

in Lincolnshire. While the media were Venning Harry Lworking themselves up into one of their periodic lathers over refuse collection, or rather the lack of it, the 91-year-old wrote to the Daily Telegraph to outline the simple steps he took when he occasionally forgot to put out his wheelie bin for emptying. Explaining that he no longer drove a car, but had an electric mobility scooter capable of 8 mph, Mr Cresswell described how he tied the bin to the back of his scooter and towed it the mile and a half to the tip. “The wheelie bin runs rather noisily,” he acknowledged, “but nobody has ever objected.” Even the police have not intervened to thwart such a stirring example of the Big Society in action, it appears. “I have even been overtaken by a police car with two officers inside,” Mr Cresswell wrote. “They looked at me as they passed, and smiled, so there is evidently no reason why I should not continue. I am sure many of the folk who complain about non- by Pete Edwards, leader of Exeter council, that rock of localism. Attempts to get ministers to collection could do as much as I do, and more the piles of rubbish evident in parts of that city threaten central imposition of weekly rounds in easily too.” were “not a major problem”. “It may not be response to the perceived crisis came to nought. It was the Telegraph that started the latest to him,” the Telegraph fulminated, “for local While there might be fresh support and guidance kerfuffle about overflowing bins, in the government panjandrums these days have far for councils, incentives even, there would be no traditional news lull in the first week of the new greater things to worry about than ensuring the prescription. year, proving yet again that the media have a bins are emptied efficiently.” Ambushed by reporters in the unlikely special interest in refuse collection that makes it In case you were wondering, this was meant surroundings of the Oxford Farming Conference, such a particularly incendiary issue for councils sarcastically. Refuse disposal was one of the environment secretary Caroline Spelman was to handle. fundamental reasons for establishing a system forced to put the position in the plainest terms: “Gardens, driveways and streets in many of municipal government, the paper argued, and “If you are a government which takes a localist parts of Britain are full of overflowing bin bags, it remained a bedrock provision and “one of the approach, it’s up to local authorities how to paper, bottles and plastic, research by the Daily few near-universal services” dispensed by local organise refuse collection.” Telegraph has found,” the paper portentously authorities. “If they can’t get this right, they are Cut out and keep that quote; it may come announced. Why so? Well, give or take the unlikely to perform efficiently in other areas.” in handy. For be under no illusion that this is odd local industrial dispute, the main reason, So what was somewhat inevitably dubbed not an issue consigned to the back of the bin the “research” found, was that there had been “binterval” had become an acid test of councils’ lorry with the last of the Christmas pudding. three bank holidays in most of the UK (four general competence. But when the press sought Journalists have had their 2011 diaries out in Scotland) plus a large volume of wrapping to link the problems to the old chestnut of and already spotted that there are three bank paper and turkey carcasses to collect. It had, so-called fortnightly bin rounds – in media holidays in the spring and all the waste likely to apparently, been Christmas. minds, as regular readers will know, an evil be generated by the royal wedding. Just think of Other papers, radio and TV piled in as the only slightly less abominable than killing of those street parties and, of course, those souvenir story took off and were incensed by a comment the first-born – the narrative foundered on the supplements being planned by all the papers.

7 Parliament Wheeler’s world

Heather Wheeler, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Local Government Group tells us what’s been catching her imagination in Parliament over the last couple of months.

Former councillors made sure the local County court closures might give local voice that actions in response to recent tragic government finance debate was well-informed authorities an opportunity to help the cases should be considered and appropriate. One In the past, I’ve followed the debates on local government of the things that struck me during the debate government finance from the outside as an There was a debate on the proposals to close was how it illustrated the way this Parliament interested party. So it was fascinating to actually county courts. The thinking is that money has changed from the last: very few Labour be taking part in it. The chamber was full and could be saved and more courts operate from members spoke, reflecting Labour’s lack of MPs suddenly it became obvious how many of the modern facilities if they were centralised. with rural constituencies. new MPs had local government backgrounds. But the strong local government People really knew their subject and the debate representation in the debate made went on for a good three hours. sure the minister heard how From the speeches, you could see the clear this idea could affect councils. difference between councils, as represented by For example, council officers their MPs, who understand the new agenda frequently need to attend court to and those that don’t. Some councils are making deal with a range of issues, such as back office savings without cutting services or licensing, benefit fraud cases and the front line; others are not engaging – some so on. If they don’t have a local are almost using this funding settlement as a court, that’s going to take more weapon against the government. There’s a huge time and cost more money than at gulf between those councils that ‘get it’ and those present. Councils and MP’s have who don’t. been getting representations from Backbenchers spoke up for the plight of people concerned local organisations such in park homes and chalets as Citizen’s Advice Bureaux. I took part in a backbench debate to highlight A number of us have approached the difficulties faced by many people who live in the minister to see if councils can park homes and chalets. It’s not a widely reported perhaps start up new courts locally story, but it should be. MPs shared examples of that would be modern and well- how some of the most vulnerable people are run – and be in tune with the spirit suffering at the hands of unscrupulous landlords. of localism. These residents, often elderly people, are at the There was a consensus against a mercy of site owners who, for example, can set knee jerk reaction to high profile the charges they want for gas and electricity. We shooting cases also heard how some people are effectively being Local government was well- forced out of their homes so the people who represented in the Firearms own the sites can build and sell more profitable Control debate. Our colleagues To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January I signed a properties. Of course, some site owners are good from city areas may have been Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to honour those who landlords, but we have raised the issue of the surprised to hear how many rural perished in the Holocaust. In doing so, I joined others in paying tribute bad ones with the minister who is consulting areas had ‘shoots’, and that these to those remarkable individuals who survived the appalling events of on a number of issues. For example, as local are significant tourism attractions the Holocaust and have since dedicated their lives to educating younger authorities are the licensing authorities should with benefits to the local economy. generations about the dangers of allowing persecution and intolerance to there be a ‘fit and proper person’ test to operate? The chamber was almost of one take hold in society.

8 Ten things you need to know about

Ten things you need to know about…

Public Order Act 1986 If, as has been suggested, the student demonstration over tuition fees point the way to more and more protests over cuts and other unpopular policies, councillors need to know where they stand, as it were, on public protests. Hilary Kitchin explains.

Councillors – and councils – will be at the front 4 Meetings: these would be assemblies if held 7 Leaflets, banners and placards: the council’s 1 line in implementing forthcoming cuts in public in a public place. The rules adopted by own by-laws may cover bill posting and expenditure, and will need the knowledge and councils for their own meetings will apply for leafleting as well as other protest activity. skills to respond to direct public protest. attendance at town and city halls. There will Distribution and display of racially offensive Public action can take the form of: be real benefits in facilitating contributions materials can be caught by the criminal • attendance and participation at council from representatives from protest groups at law. In the main, leaflets and placards will meetings and events council meetings. Different rules will apply to be legitimate aspects of public protest. • static demonstrations (assemblies) council organised events in community halls. outside council venues Policing of public protest: in addition to • processions Assemblies in public places: Defined as taking 8 the ability to impose conditions on an • leafleting, display of banners and 5 place where two or more persons are assembly or processions, police have placards. protesting in a public place, assemblies certain powers to control movement in cannot be banned, but can be made subject order to prevent or reduce the severity of 2 Following the Human Rights Act, the emphasis to conditions as to place, duration, and a breach of the peace. Police can intervene on public protest has shifted. There is a the number of people present. There is no to contain or cordon groups of people, greater recognition of the legitimacy of public requirement of advance notice, so conditions and to prevent individuals going to their processions and assemblies, and how rights are imposed by police on site. The grounds destinations. to freedom of assembly and expression are the same as for imposing conditions on underpin these activities – recognised as the processions. Offences: The 1986 Act creates a number of foundations of a democratic society. Councils 9 offences that might occur in more serious should facilitate lawful public protest, and Processions: with limited and specific situations, in which the police will be able there are real benefits in doing so. 6 exceptions, organisers must give at least to make arrests. six clear days’ written notice to the police. There is a balance of rights: not just of This does not prevent the organisation of Picketing: Peaceful picketing by union 3 demonstrators (or counter-demonstrators) spontaneous processions, and a shorter 10 members at or near their own place of but also how far protest can reasonably period of notice will be accepted for events work in the course of an industrial dispute disrupt other members of the community, or called at shorter notice. Police can impose is lawful, although the law imposes limits. cause obstructions. conditions on processions; grounds include Councils will have experience of picketing, • Public protest is a valid response to the likelihood of serious disruption to the and trade unions will issue guidelines to potentially controversial decision-making life of the community and intimidation of picketers in advance. From the point of which will have an impact on the other demonstrators. There is a process for view of those taking part, the criminal law community. banning a procession if the imposition of on public order must be complied with • Balance and proportionality should be conditions is thought insufficient to prevent and directions from the police should be applied in assessing competing interests. serious public disorder. followed.

9 public health Protecting the herd

As rows about who does and who doesn’t get flu jabs become national news stories, Catherine Heffernan explains why local authorities should play their part in making sure children are vaccinated against other diseases.

hile shopping in the supermarket last the children’s population in order to effectively of childhood immunisations have drastically week, I noticed a scurry to the nearest protect the entire population from dangerous declined. London in particular has recorded low Wdisplay of Pampers’ nappies. It wasn’t diseases like diphtheria, polio, whopping cough, numbers of vaccinated children. This has been the usual offer that had enticed the crowd but the meningococcal and pneumococcal diseases. reflected in the frequent outbreaks of measles promise that for every packet bought, a tetanus In the UK, the childhood immunisation across the capital. The reasons for the dropping vaccine would be sent to the Third World. schedule consists of the primaries (diphtheria, figures are multitude. “Those poor children”, one shopper said to me. tetanus, polio, Hib and whooping cough), the There were some issues with data collection “Tetanus, you know, is a deadly disease, you go MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), vaccines and quality. Changes to a new child health into spasms before you die. We are so lucky here.” against common causes of meningitis in children information system resulted in differences This was ironic. I was after all standing in and school boosters. The schedule starts at two between what the GP practices recorded and the an area where only 68 per cent of children months, with two more visits at three and four system that reported the COVER data (i.e. UK’s aged 5 years old had received their childhood months. At 12 and 13 months, there are three rates). However, these issues have been more or immunisations. That meant that about 42 per further vaccines, including the first dose of less resolved in the past year or two. Another cent of children aged 5 years old were at risk of MMR and then before the child starts school, problem has been that the contracts between getting vaccine preventable diseases, including there is the second MMR and some boosters. those who commission vaccinations and those tetanus. The ramifications are much more. Sadly, there are parts of the UK where uptake who deliver them tend not to reflect the 95 per Vaccination isn’t just about protecting oneself cent herd immunity. For example, some GP from disease; it is a vital step in stopping the contracts may financially reward GP practices transmission to other people. This is called herd Since these diseases if they deliver 70 or 90 per cent coverage but immunity. To illustrate, take a children’s party. without the incentive to 95 per cent, it can be All the children interact unaware that one of them are no longer difficult to get those extra percentages. However, has the early stages of measles. Two of the kids “ a big stumbling block is parental attitudes. have baby brothers and sisters, who have not yet visible, people While the MMR scare is becoming a distant had their MMR. One of these babies is immuno- history, the public distrust of vaccines remains. compromised and would be severely affected if Some parents believe that the vaccine will infected with measles. However, neither baby is have forgotten how infect them with the diseases or harm them by at risk as all children have been immunised with adverse side effects. Underlying these fears is MMR. They formed a barrier preventing the dangerous these the assumption that here in the western world, spread of measles from the infected child to them we are safe. Since these diseases are no longer and onto others. We need 95 per cent uptake of diseases really are visible, people have forgotten how dangerous these diseases really are. It wasn’t so long ago that people were on iron lungs due to polio or disabled ” from diphtheria. Given the ease with which we travel around the world these days, these diseases could be on our doorstep tomorrow. After clean water, vaccines are our greatest defence against disease. As leaders, we owe it to our public to improve their awareness of how important childhood vaccination is. Yes, there can be side effects, and apart from a temperature (which shows that the body is reacting to the vaccine and is producing immunity), these are mostly rare. At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself, what’s worse: a jab with a temperature or your child, unborn child or even yourself being seriously ill from a dangerous disease? Local authorities can help protect their populations by working with the directors of public health in arming the public with all the facts. It is all our responsibility to ensure our burgeoning population remains safe.

10 Finance Spending power not all it seems

When the government says its giving councils spending power it sounds like something to be welcomed. But Janet Sillett says it isn’t quite what it seems.

t always takes time for the full impact of the local authority grant settlement to be Iunderstood – and this is more true than usual this year. Why? First, the huge cuts to grant – a real-terms reduction of 28 per cent over the spending review period alongside the changes to specific grants, with most being rolled into formula grant, has meant that the most deprived areas, with the greatest dependence on external funding, would be disproportionately worse off. The government, late in the day, accepted that this would be unsustainable and introduced changes to the distribution system, adding complexity to what is already an opaque process.

What are these changes? • New ‘damping’ arrangements were introduced, with differential bands intended to reflect differing levels of dependency. • Providing additional grant – an extra £30 million has been put into formula grant and a further £85 million transition grant in Has the Government handed local government real spending power, or is it the latest term for cuts? 2011-12 shared between the 37 councils who would otherwise have seen the sharpest falls further efficiency savings of up to 3.5 per cent where all councils rely to a greater or lesser extent in their ‘spending power’. to avoid reducing real levels of care. Given how on central government funding, and where some hard this will be, there is even more riding on the councils get up to 70 per cent of their income from The Department of Communities and Local Commission on Funding of Care and Support: the centre. Grant cuts on this scale, together with Government has introduced a new concept it is increasingly critical that it comes up with changes to how funding is allocated, especially in – ‘revenue spending power’, made up of the sustainable long-term solution that is capable of relation to specific grants, create new distortions council tax requirement in 2010/11; formula achieving consensus, including political consensus. in an already dysfunctional system. Of course, grant for 2010/11, adjusted to allow a like- Even with the changes to damping and local government has called for the ending of for-like comparison with the year ahead; and additional money, the impact has been very ring-fencing for many years and now it has largely specific grants. Ministers have used the reduction uneven: councils in the north, metropolitan happened, but the merging of numerous specific in spending power figure to describe the cuts councils and districts have been hit the hardest. and ring-fenced grants into formula grant or the individual councils are facing, but some councils Districts, for example, will see cuts in formula school’s grant has led to even more damping and argue that using ‘spending power’ as the definition and specific grants range from 13.8 per cent to to uncertainty over what will happen when the of cuts is misleading – given that it includes 16.8 per cent. transitional changes end. income from council tax. It also underplays The other pressing issue for local government Speaking in a Commons debate on 12 the reality of the challenges councils are facing when the overall spending figures were set out January, Communities and Local Government when they set their budgets, such as additional in the spending review was that the cuts were Minister Bob Neill said that a comprehensive inflationary and income pressures, like increased heavily front-loaded, but despite the last minute review of local government resources would demand for adult social care. changes, there is still significant front-loading. be beginning sometime in January in order to The government has recognised some other This will inevitably make it more difficult to agree future settlement deals and to make the concerns from local government – especially deliver efficiencies and service transformation in finance system more localist. Previous reviews relating to adult social care. The Health Select time to lessen the impact on services. have taken forever and delivered little – it is to Committee has said that even with some What this year’s settlement graphically be hoped that this one is smarter, quicker and protection from cuts, councils will need to make highlights is the inherent difficulties of a system actually delivers genuine reform.

11 Interview Grant Shapps

Mark D’Arcy meets the very enthusiastic Housing and Local Government Minister and hears about his radical – and controversial – plans for social housing.

mart savvy local authorities, says Grant in Whitehall, who thinks that 10 5,000-home Shapps, should be focusing on how He has not been eco-towns are a good idea…” Sthe coalition’s shake up of housing and But the government is both pushing for a planning can help them weather the “record impressed by his housing construction boom and promising that problem” of the cuts they face in central “ unwanted developments will no longer be foisted government support. first experience on unwilling communities. So will the drive Wherever you look across the policy to build new homes be resisted by NIMBYs programme of the coalition, whether it is armed with the new powers promised in the in education, social security, schools or of the ministerial Government’s Localism Bill? Will there be formal constitutional change, ministers are pushing challenges and demands for local referendums to through radical new initiatives, often in the teeth meetings with unhappy block unwanted developments? Shapps thinks of dire warnings from their critics. Shapps is no not. He believes the effect of the new localism exception. It is worth pausing for a moment councillors which will be to make planners and developers come to contemplate his job title; he is the Housing up with smarter, often more modest, proposals and Local Government minister at DCLG – and follow every grant which offer some advantages to existing residents. his combination of responsibilities underlines New developments, he observes, “don’t have the change in approach to some key issues by settlement. to be Milton Keynes.” And it is often the out- the coalition. Traditionally, the housing brief of-scale development proposal that causes the is combined with planning – and this new most furious objections. Conversely, a small combination suggests the incoming government The new government wants more” private scale development in a village can allow young sees the solution to many of the nation’s housing and social housing built – and the instrument adults to stay in their community, and provide problems very differently, and that it plans by which it plans to achieve that goal is the extra customers for local shops and pubs. Or to nudge and incentivise local authorities to New Homes Bonus. Shapps takes some pride a community might welcome the clearing address them. in having secured nearly £1 billion over four of derelict land for new homes – and part of Shapps is one of the tier of high-flying years to fund this policy, amidst the painful the cost of the clearance might be met by the Ministers of State regularly tipped for economies being made across government. It’s a local authority and recouped from the new higher office in the coalition or a subsequent simple, lucrative, incentive for local authorities homes bonus. It is a mistake, Shapps points Conservative government. And like many of to promote more house-building on their patch. out, to see all planning issues through the his colleagues he is relishing the chance to push For six years from the moment each new home is prism of communities in the South-East which through policies developed in the long years occupied, the authority gets its council tax take are determined to resist new developments. In of opposition. And they are his policies, put from that property doubled via a grant from other regions the issues can look very different. together while a succession of Labour Housing central government. New houses will bring a Sensible councils, he adds, will make a point of Ministers – Margaret Beckett, Yvette Cooper, direct financial reward to cash-strapped councils. ensuring that the communities directly affected Caroline Flint, John Healey – came and went. “In the end local authorities will have to find by new housing developments will benefit from He is evangelical about his approach, repeating ways to survive within their budgets,” says the extra funding the housing attracts. several times that what he called the “Stalinist Shapps. “They must make ends meet, so there And once the existing funding for the New central planning” of the last government had is considerable pressure on communities to do Homes Bonus runs out, in three years time, it failed to deliver the country’s housing needs – something – and for the first time the pressure will be continued by top-slicing from future and different answers are required. will rest on communities, not on some minister grant settlements (approximately £250 million

12 Interview

a year would continue the funding at the current level) – so there will be a pot of money available only to those authorities which facilitate new house-building. The message is clear – get the planners to work now, to keep the money flowing in three years’ time. And incidentally, other government priorities like attracting business will be the subject of similar incentives, top-sliced off the general funding for local authorities, so it will pay to lay the same kind of plans in other policy areas too. “Leadership starts at home and local leaders will have to start looking three years ahead if they want their areas to prosper,” says Shapps. He has not been impressed by his first experience of the ministerial meetings with unhappy councillors which follow every grant settlement. A number of these encounters have left him cynical about pleas of poverty from what seem to him to be rather well-padded councils: “the sheer outrageousness of having leaders and chief executives coming to my office and explaining that their authority is absolutely broke, when the chief executive is paid £100,000 more than the Prime Minister, was astonishing – I gave them pretty short shrift, because they clearly didn’t see the irony.” The break with previous policies is equally dramatic when it comes to social housing. Shapps expects the advent of affordable rents Labour spent £17 billion on social housing in 13 years, and ended up with more families on to mean that social housing becomes more the waiting list than it started with – 1.8 million “ now, compared to 1 million in 1997, Shapps says. Even without the economic crisis he insists socially mixed – with a healthier proportion no government could have found the money to put every family on the list into traditional, of tenants in work. heavily subsidised social housing – and once again his answer is something radically different. In some cases the new approach might mean a departed, would mean fewer families crowded The centrepiece is the proposal for a new tenancy running for as little as two years, leading into tiny flats.” He has been impressed by class of housing – a subsidised “affordable to accusations that social housing estates would initiatives like Leicester City Council’s Easy rent” sector where rents are higher than social become transit camps where residents never Move tenant relocation scheme, which offers housing, pegged at 80 per cent of the market stayed long enough to put down roots and council and housing association tenants support level – but where providers must use the surplus build stable communities. Shapps disagrees - he to move to a smaller home, with a dedicated over the rent received in social housing to build expects the advent of affordable rents to mean worker helping out with transferring utility more new homes – creating a funding stream for that social housing becomes more socially mixed bills, connecting up washing machines and further building, continuing for years to come. – with a healthier proportion of tenants in work. similar problems – and providing up to £1,000 That is combined with a new approach to Very short tenancies, he believes, will only be for redecoration and new furniture. DCLG has social housing tenancies. Shapps believes the used in unusual circumstances. He anticipates found £13 million to help other authorities set present “homes for life offer” should be replaced tenancy agreements will run for perhaps five up similar schemes. with a mix of time-limited tenancies – he years for younger people and ten or 15 years There’s no doubt that Shapps is a confident emphasises for new, not for existing tenants – for families, after which the tenant might move assertive minister, with a radical agenda and the chosen according to circumstances. on, or buy the house, or re-let. There would be media skills to make his case. His task now will That applies particularly to homelessness – a re-assessment of the tenant’s housing need, six be to deliver on his policies – and to do that where he thinks that it is not sensible to respond months or so before the end of the agreement, he needs local authorities to pick up the tools automatically to an emergency in someone’s life, and with 250,000 overcrowded homes and and incentives he is providing, and run with the loss of their home, with the offer of social 430,000 under-occupied, Shapps’ hope is that them, and come up with smart decentralised housing for life. He wants local authorities to the result will be “the holy grail of housing solutions to housing need – the question is, will be able to discharge their homelessness duty by policy,” tenants placed in more appropriate the incentives he is providing be enough. making a “reasonable” offer of private sector homes. Fewer little old ladies rattling around Mark D’Arcy is a Parliamentary housing for “a couple of years.” in a family home, from which the family has Correspondent with BBC News.

13 Mayors Bosses beckon for big cities

The leaders of 12 major city councils are about to have greatness thrust upon them, in some cases very reluctantly. Mark Smulian spoke to some those in line for the hot seat.

nder the Localism Bill, the government Although he had a long stint as leader, Sir intends to turn these dozen into ‘shadow Peter says: “The prospect of being elected by Umayors’ ahead of referendums planned the people to pursue a vision for the city’s future for May 2012 to decide whether or not they is something very exciting at a time when things should become actual mayors. will be very difficult because of the government’s Those affected are the leaders of Birmingham, savage budget cuts. Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Leicester, “The difference is that a leader is just that, the Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, leader of the council not of the whole community, Sheffield and Wakefield. and to be accountable to the community is the In its explanation of the Bill, the government great advantage.” says: “Almost every major city in the world has a He says the issues he would particularly want strong and powerful executive mayor. “Mayors to pursue are regeneration, elderly care and give local citizens a powerful local leader and education, which he admits is “not as good as figurehead for municipal government, better in some other major cities”. deliver local economic growth, boost local Ministers’ intention to pass powers down to democratic engagement and enhance the prestige elected mayors “is one aspect of the government’s of a city.” localism that I find encouraging but we need to These assertions are, though, contentious in make it a reality,” Sir Peter says. all three main parties, none of which is solidly “One issue is raising finance locally rather for or against elected mayors. than just relying on council tax and grant which Nor is the public. Only 13 out of 37 mayoral at an unusually high proportion of a council’s referendums to date have produced a ‘yes’ vote income gives the government too much control.” Ian Greenwood and one of those, Stoke-on-Trent, has since Leicester is a very diverse city, around 36 per but Sir Peter insists it is possible for one person scrapped the post. cent non-white according to the 2001 census, to represent the whole community. Despite this round of mayors being an “I think Leicester’s people have gone beyond initiative from the Conservative wing of the just looking at the ethnicity of a candidate and government, only one Tory – Birmingham’s If the idea of having instead look to who is best for the job,” he says. Mike Whitby – would become a shadow mayor, It is this point though that worries Bradford’s and he leads a joint administration. The other 11 an elected mayor Labour leader Ian Greenwood. He says: are all Labour or Liberal Democrat. “ “Bradford is a very diverse place geographically, One prominent figure with his hat in the ring socially, economically, ethnically and culturally is Sir Peter Soulsby, who is seeking the Labour is such a good one, and to move forward you have to recognise that nomination for Leicester, one of very few places diversity and that cannot be represented by local to have used the Local Government and Public why has no party government being encapsulated in one person. Involvement in Health Act 2007 to create an People want to be involved, not have one person elected mayor, and which consequently will have proposed that we telling them what to do. its election this May without a referendum. “We have yet to discuss it in the Labour party, Sir Peter was council leader from 1981-99 and govern the UK that but I would expect to be part of a campaign MP for Leicester South since 2005. “I am very against a mayoralty in a referendum. much in favour of elected mayors,” he says. “It way with an elected “In fairness to the other parties here, they have is a democratic option that gives power to the recognised that Bradford is a very diverse place community to decide who is to lead it, rather and I have never heard them say they support than councillors deciding that after an election.” prime minister. a mayor.” 14 ” Mayors Bosses beckon for big cities

Bristol is a city with 400,000 people and a “budget of three quarters of a billion pounds, can someone off the television really run that when they have no experience?

Councillor Greenwood also has more are not responsible to the public; not at all philosophical objections to elected mayoralties. democratically accountable,” and even a good “If the idea of having an elected mayor is such council leader is not directly accountable to a big a good one, why has no party proposed that we city electorate in the way that an elected mayor govern the UK that way with an elected prime will be”. minister who would be all-powerful?” he asks. Elected mayoralties are, he says, “about Barbara Janke “We live in a parliamentary democracy where where the buck stops, without a public sense power rests with elected representatives drawn of which you will never get the kind of cultural Barbara Janke, Liberal Democrat leader of from different parts of the community and you and organisation change that’s needed in Bristol, agrees. “I don’t feel that to give councils need everybody on board like that to move Birmingham’s city government. For an elected more powers you need to have an elected mayor, forward. My view is that people do not want a mayor, when bad things happen, there’s nowhere you could give them to the leader and cabinet. presidential style of local government.” to hide. And that’s what makes the difference”. I just do not see the need for creating these He thinks councillors would be left only with Newcastle’s Liberal Democrat leader David authoritarian figures.” a “very frustrating” scrutiny role, and thinks Faulkner does not relish becoming a shadow She also fears that celebrities drawn from having around 90 of them holding one mayor mayor. “I don’t think either us or the Labour entertainment or sport might get elected on to account would be absurd. party in Newcastle have any appetite for elected populist issues to a post they could not fill. Sion Simon stood down as Labour MP for mayors and I would not be surprised if both “Bristol is a city with 400,000 people and a Birmingham Erdington at the general election parties campaign for a ‘no’ vote,” he says. budget of three quarters of a billion pounds, can to seek nomination as elected mayor of “There would be too much power in the hands someone off the television really run that when Birmingham, a post which did not then exist. of one person and it is just aping an American they have no experience?” she wonders. He explains this move by saying: “I changed system for the sake of it. Councillors Faulkner and Greenwood both say my mind about elected mayors during the course “It might work there, but we have a different that the cabinet system creates discontent among of the nine years I was a Birmingham MP, not system where even leaders are ward councillors backbench councillors, who feel excluded from because of some abstract belief in a new system, rooted in their communities.” power, and feel an elected mayor would make but from practical frustration that the city He adds: “I recently visited Groningen, one this problem worse. council doesn’t work. of our twin cities, where they were complaining Sir Peter though says scrutiny “can be effective “It is a dysfunctional institution, over- that the mayors have no constituents and so are if it is properly resourced and organised and my centralised, over-mighty, not efficient and not disconnected from communities.” experience in parliament has shown how the responsive, and all of that, more than anything, Three of the north east’s 12 unitary select committees can be very effective and are because of a lack of real accountability.” councils have elected mayors but Councillor taken seriously and we need to learn from that”. Mr Simon believes real power in the council Faulkner says he sees “no real evidence that those Next year’s referendums are likely to produce rests with senior officers who “may be good councils are better led or are better performing some unusual political alignments as leaders are people working hard in public service, but they than the others”. dragged, willingly or not, into mayoral status.

15 localism Opportunity knocks

If patience is a virtue, then waiting for the Decentralisation and Localism Bill sometimes felt like an extended exercise in moral excellence. Originally due in October it finally arrived on 13 December. However no one could accuse the government of idling in that time: at 406 pages, 207 clauses and 24 schedules, it’s certainly a mammoth piece of legislation, write Jonathan Carr-West and Andy Sawford.

he Bill’s stated aim is to devolve greater councils may use the power. It may be that the powers to councils and neighbourhoods big test of the power comes in the courts. Tand give local communities control over One very clear limitation of the powers of housing and planning decisions. For LGiU, the councils is around finance. The Bill includes key test will be whether the Bill enhances the new responsibilities on councils to publish data ability of local people to make decisions about about public spending, including on senior local services and public spending priorities, and salaries. In theory the government says that will it engage them as citizens within a framework councils can raise more money locally, but this sustained by a strong, responsive council? will be subject to a referendum. Who can argue There are six key areas in the Bill which will against a ‘democratic’ test around local taxation, impact most directly on the localist agenda or indeed other issues that may be subject to 1. A General Power of Competence for councils referendums under the ‘Local Referendum’ 2. Giving communities the power to trigger local provisions in the Bill. Yet this approach looks referendums on general issues like double standards from Whitehall, where 3. Referendums on council tax increases above the Chancellor exercises huge powers to vary, a certain level 4. The Community Right to Challenge and to take over and run public services Councils must seize the opportunities and 5. Arrangements for parish councils to nominate buildings and assets of community value the challenges the Bill presents to shape the which communities then have the opportunity “ to bid to take over if they are disposed of 6. The revision of the local planning regime to detail of these policies at a local level allow local people to be more involved in planning their areas at a stroke, the tax we pay from one year to properly supported and that they are accountable The LGiU has commented on each of these in the next, without being subject to a referendum. in respect of service standards and use” of public detail in our policy briefing on the Bill, but as a One might wonder why the electoral mandate is money. The government will want to achieve general observation the Localism Bill contains considered a democratic basis for MPs to govern this without reintroducing what it sees as the many measures that councils will welcome and but not for elected local councillors or mayors. ‘deadening hand’ of the Big State, but the role of some elements that they may treat with more The ‘people power’ elements of the Bill include local government and of elected local councillors caution. The proposed new General Power of a new community “right to challenge” the council will be crucial. Competence is a bold statement in law. It is also over the provision of local services, and a new The Bill is silent on many details of how this a challenge to councils to act independently and right to bid to buy local assets such as libraries, role will play out but in this instance patience with self-confidence as the culture shifts from pubs and shops. There are of course already many may be less of a virtue. Rather than waiting for waiting for Whitehall’s legislative permission successful examples of this kind of community central government guidance, councils must and guidance. The idea is that councils will, in challenge and involvement, but we must ask what seize the opportunities and the challenges the Bill future, be legally free to do whatever they think will motivate more people to want to take over presents to shape the detail of these policies at is in the interests of their community. The reality services or assets rather than have the council a local level. No one can claim this will be easy, may be different as in the detail of the Bill there deliver them? Similarly when community groups especially at a time of budget cuts, but ‘wait and are many qualifications and limitations on how do get involved how will we ensure that they are see’ won’t work.

16 localism Capital ideas on localism

With the help of Westminster’s Colin Barrow and Hackney’s Jules Pipe, Jennifer Sprinks explores how the proposals in the Localism Bill will affect London governance.

that something cannot be done because of guidance issued by central government,” he enthuses. But Barrow believes the Bill could go slightly further and devolve some more responsibilities to the boroughs to get the right balance of power between the Mayor and local councils. “We would like to have control of the parks and to maintain all of our roads. We could maintain them far more effectively and cheaper locally than have Transport for London do it.” Jules Pipe, chair of London Councils and Mayor of Hackney, is also concerned that too much devolution “has stopped at City Hall” and does not go far enough, particularly around housing powers. He has some reservations about the Bill, adding that the drafting of certain proposals, he Localism Bill has been hailed as the a [subsidised namely around local planning policies, reach “a force that will shift power away from housing] area dead end”. Tcentral government and back into the for certain “We have built half a bridge – at the moment hands of councils, communities and individuals. p r o f e s s i o n s , it does not lead anywhere.” It sets out a number of measures for such as nursing. Pipe fears that the proposal for local decentralisation, including a radical re-boot of It’s vital for the authorities to hold a referendum in their local the planning system, changes to social housing future shaping area if just five per cent of the electorate petition policies and the devolution of powers to the of London to for one could prove expensive, without resulting Mayor and London boroughs. think about in any direct benefit to the community. It appears that the local government family how we create Furthermore, he says there are grey areas over is being divided into two camps over the Bill; social housing how the general power of competence will work those who believe it will bring transformational and define it.” in practice. devolution and those who fear its proposals are He believes “The positive sounding intentions are being mere rhetoric. the flexibility offset by too many caveats which raise questions For Westminster City Council leader Colin will spark about how real is the devolution it would Barrow, the Bill is “truly revolutionary”. variation in the bring and how different the London boroughs “The closer decisions are made to the people, policies adopted by different boroughs. really will be because much will still have to be the cheaper, the more reasonable and less “I think we will see great differences between referred upwards, not just to the mayor but to nonsense they are. It may be uncomfortable [for local authorities,’ he says. ‘We will see how Communities and Local Government. It won’t councils] during the transition but the end result neighbouring authorities like Lambeth will go change London governance for the general will be good.” down a different path from Westminster and population.” What he likes about the Bill’s proposals is the that’s a good thing. It will encourage innovation Barrow and Pipe may not entirely agree about flexibility for London boroughs to respond to and change, and greater creativity.” the revolutionary nature of the bill in its current local needs, particularly around the provision of In theory, the proposed new general power of form, but both recognise there will be plenty social housing. competence means councils will be free by law of opportunities to refine it during its passage “One third of our borough is in social to do whatever they think is in the interests of through parliament. housing,” he explains. “Westminster will have their community. “It will take a while for the full glory of this Bill different social housing needs to other boroughs “It will enable councillors to be released to become clear,” says Barrow. “But it’s a very so we need flexibility. We might decide to provide from the frustration of having officers saying powerful and important piece of legislation.”

17 localism Brave new world

Braintree cabinet member Joanne Beavis considers the impact of the proposals of the Localism and Decentralisation Bill on a small council such as Braintree.

or feeling powerless in the face of major change. Quite aside from that decisions are likely to be more grounded if they reflect people’s actual opinions even if that means that they are not entirely satisfied with the outcome. The Bill is packed full of freedoms, flexibilities, transparencies and entitlements and will undoubtedly take time to unravel but one thing is for certain: The red tape is being cut. Whitehall is finally shifting some power in favour of motivating communities to take up the offers that this new Bill provides for them. Some of the key changes in the Bill are: a new general power of competence; abolition of the Standards Board; neighbourhood planning; community right to buy; social housing allocation; community right to challenge. The Braintree district has 435 town and parish councillors together with large unparished areas. The Bill provides recognition of the role of the local community, neighbourhood, village, he impact could and should be significant. parish and town. During the autumn of 2010 Size is not a barrier, it’s about having the The Bill is packed the District Council held a Town and Parish Tdetermination to punch above your weight. Summit. The event acted as a catalyst to drive Braintree’s large geographical size, 140,000 full of freedoms, forward ideas as to how the three tiers of local residents and rural and urban settlements mean “ government could work more closely together. barriers will need to be overcome. No one has all of the answers yet. It is easy to The Bill is a massive piece of legislation and flexibilities, get counter-productive and ahead of ourselves. has been announced alongside some of the To conclude, we are actively mapping out a biggest cuts seen in local government for years. transparencies and structure that forms the glue to bond our local We have known for some time that the cuts in government family together. Our aim is to public expenditure would be deep. We must now entitlements and will ensure that services and priorities are targeted be bold in our thinking and not be afraid to to the needs and requirements of a locality. embrace the new Bill. It is time for us to enter a undoubtedly take time For our councillors, however, realising this brave new world. Whitehall is passing us a baton agenda will require some new thinking of their and we must grasp it firmly and be prepared to to unravel. role. Our member led Member Development run with it. Working Group has been instrumental in The Bill offers us greater leadership over our agreeing an induction programme to provide all communities but as importantly it gives citizens focused council. Our People’s Panel” allows for new councillors, post the May elections, with the opportunity of engagement and challenge. the opinions of our citizens to shape how the training and support. Braintree District Council is undergoing a council operates. The Braintree district is at the heart of rural transformational change. Four years ago, and The Braintree Neighbourhood and Budget Pilot, Essex. It lies between the rapidly growing regional under the leadership of Councillor Graham in partnership with Essex County Council, will centres of Cambridge, Ipswich, Colchester and Butland, we transferred our housing stock devolve decision making about how services are Chelmsford. London is only 45 minutes away by creating a new housing association. Our provided to the most spatial level or community. by road and rail and so there is a significant approach to a Community Gateway model has Our approach to neighbourhood devolvement is “London effect”. This location, with its attractive put tenants at the heart of decision making in allowing for communities to take over ownership countryside, historical towns and villages has their area. and management of community assets. made the Braintree district a popular place to The transformation has continued as we We believe in the Big Society. In our experience live and provides the opportunity for realising a embrace a new culture. We are a people people do not like having things done to them prosperous future with high quality life.

18 Localism Power to the people?

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), looks at whether the Localism Bill will deliver a new settlement between people and planning.

he government has set out plans in the a series of tests before becoming a qualifying between local people’s aspirations and wishes Localism Bill to revolutionise the planning body. It is imperative to the legitimacy of the and the wider framework of the local plan. Tprocess by “taking power away from plan-making process that neighbourhood This is a historic planning reform Bill and officials and putting it into the hands of those forums are transparent, representative, inclusive although not addressed here, there are equally who know most about their neighbourhood – and accountable. important questions over how, in the absence local people themselves”. While the concern to ensure that of regional planning, strategic cross-border The Bill seeks to deliver on the government’s neighbourhood planning has a powerful outcome issues such as housing and climate change can pledge to ‘radically reform the planning system’. is a valid aspiration for some communities, the be properly considered. The effectiveness and The rationale for this reform is the criticism that TCPA believes it should not be seen as the only fairness of the new regime depends not just on the the current planning system is out of touch with route to empowering people. There should extensive forthcoming regulations, but a wider people’s lives and not fit for purpose in securing be a debate on how more informal plans and package of changes including the introduction of lasting progress on key issues, such as the community visions, which might suit the needs the New Homes Bonus, designed to incentivise provision of housing and tackling climate change. of many places, can be properly integrated and housing growth, and a new National Planning The Bill sets out an ambitious, but procedurally respected in the planning process. These less Policy Framework, which will contain the key complex new neighbourhood planning formal expressions of community aspiration national policy direction for planning. framework. There are also changes to the Local provide the flexibility to have differing kinds The government aim of creating the freedom Development Framework process, the abolition of ‘conversations’ about development with the and the incentives for those places that want to of Regional Strategies, and introduction of a diverse sets of communities which exist in many grow to do so, and to reap the benefits, is a valid new ‘Duty to Co-operate’. So the overarching parts of England. one. However, the places that are more resistant question is – will localism deliver a more Councillors will have a vital role to play, along to growth or have limited access to support for efficient, fairer and effective planning system with community organisations, in supporting engagement will need local authority leadership vital in securing the long-term wellbeing of our local people in coming together to produce more than ever. communities? neighbourhood plans and visions. Whereas The Town and Country Planning Association Collaborative neighbourhood planning, so before many of the tensions in planning played (TCPA) campaigns for the reform of the UK’s that more people can be involved in the process out between the local and regional level, planning system to make it more responsive to of shaping the places in which they live and these may now be transferred to the local and people’s needs and aspirations and to promote work, is an opportunity to be grasped. The community level. Councillors should consider sustainable development. TCPA has a long track record in promoting how they can help mediate the relationship www.tcpa.org.uk community participation and the government’s determination to reconnect the system to the people it serves is to be welcomed. However, is the neighbourhood planning framework set out

in the Bill sufficiently inclusive and flexible to Brewer Rob meet the needs of all communities? What the Localism Bill offers is a route for communities that is procedurally complex but ultimately powerful in law. There are questions over access to the neighbourhood planning process for those communities who lack the social and financial capital to navigate the system. Another important outcome of this framework is that neighbourhood planning bodies for rural parished areas and urban areas are starkly different. Parishes are fully constituted lower tier elected councils with clear rules on the disclosure of interests and bound by duties applying to public bodies. They are also democratically accountable. In the absence of a parish council, ‘Neighbourhood Forums’ must have a minimum of three people and pass Will the Localism Bill lead to better local decisions about new housing?

19 Localism The data difference

Libraries are in the news, being seen as likely candidates for cuts. But sitting at the heart of communities they are a truly local service. Dilek Dogus, Cabinet Member for Adults and Community Services, explains how Haringey is using retail techniques to get the best out of the council’s libraries.

ulti-national companies know all With over 2.1 million visits annually, libraries about you. The big supermarket are the third most-used council service, and were Analysis of data Mchains know what social background recently voted “good” or “excellent” by 63 per you come from, what your buying habits are and cent of our residents. They have become “high over time shows us when you like to shop. performing” largely because they have used the “ And just like supermarkets, libraries can information which they gather to alter – and trends in usage and offer a better a service the more they know about keep altering – their services and facilities to their customers. make sure they remain relevant and attractive that has an impact Many of the issues which affect supermarkets to their customers. also affect libraries: the brand, marketing, Haringey libraries, like all libraries, have location, opening hours, car parking, the access to a wide range of information on their on what we do product range, merchandising and the quality customers. At the most basic level, they know of customer service … the difference, of course, how many people visit libraries each day or each customers. They can also monitor the level of is when and how the customer pays. month. They know who the members of the use of wireless technology, how many” hours are Like other retail organisations, libraries gather library are, how old they are and where they used each month and when peak use levels occur. customer data and – more importantly – have live. They can identify what members borrow The information is pored over and analysed the potential to use that data to develop and from their libraries and so can monitor and each month at our libraries management team improve the range of products they offer. improve the effectiveness of their selection of meetings. Some of the information confirms what In Haringey, the nine libraries across the books, DVDs and other materials. They can everyone knows – just by looking at the statistics borough were used by almost 60 per cent of identify how often computers are used in the we know what the weather’s been like – more residents, the highest level of use in London. library, in how many sessions and by how many people use libraries when it’s raining or snowing and fewer people come in when it’s a nice day and we’re always looking at new ways that we can attract more customers as well as making sure existing customers keep on using the service. Analysis of data over time shows us trends in usage and that has an impact on what we do. For example, more people in the east of the borough stay at home during holiday periods so we provide more children’s holiday programmes. Other trends have changed the layout of our libraries. The significant increase in computers at our libraries means that people need sockets to power up their laptops. Wireless users also seem to have a more casual approach to seating, happy to perch on stools at high tables. Does this all work? Does knowing your customer guarantee a constant supply? No, it does not – but it does increase the odds. For us in Haringey, autumn was a relatively quiet period, with lower numbers of visitors than usual. We responded by pushing the use of our loyalty card and introducing a “Snuggle up with a DVD” offer. Thousands of people came into the Central Library during November. The seats Councillor Dogus re-opening Coombes Croft Library in Tottenham with local MP David Lammy after major were full and the shelves emptied. improvement work.

20 localism New Partnerships to deliver localism

The Localism Bill, writes Sarah Phillips of the Centre for Public Service Partnerships, heralds more choices but less funding; new partnerships and more leadership.

ven before the Localism Bill is law, there LSPs can continue to play a role in bringing have been huge cuts to centralism and partners together to build consensus and Eprescription – along with much of the influence ‘place-shaping’ in revised thematic funding it ‘guided’ locally. Local government and neighbourhood level groupings, with has more flexibility – but must use it quickly fewer refocused activities, even though to decide on priorities in the face of the most much of the funding for the delivery challenging budget settlements. There will activity of LSPs fell away with the end be an impact on services that feel frontline to of ring-fenced grants. their users. Officers are giving difficult advice, There is minimal guidance from members are taking tough decisions and are central government - each authority keen to have partners to share the burdens. must be clear of its aims at strategic For many councils the shock of in-year and level and for specific interest groups, front-loaded cuts almost defied logic and the communities or neighbourhoods need to respond has limited strategic planning and parishes. Many are shaping sub- for 2012-15. But the Centre for Public Service regional partnerships such as the new Partnerships has noticed some areas have built Local Enterprise Partnerships alongside on their positive experiences of partnerships and the private sector. Some are considering Total Place. There have been reviews of services becoming part of the supply chain to the new in silos and then again strategically, often in Single Work Programme. With the new Public some form of consultation with users, or ‘deep Health role coming, some want to actively dives’. In some places there has been discussion support and partner the new GP commissioning across councils, police, fire and health bodies consortia. who recognise they serve the same communities Members need keep strategic oversight and and users. have a rationale for which services they jointly leading law firm across several local authorities, Now, there are major choices to be made to commission and when they jointly provide – and we are seeing the need for authorities to review plan optimal savings over the next three years. how they monitor such arrangements to ensure where they have built up an incoherent pattern It is time to review big contracts and redesign they stay cost effective and can be explained. across different partners of joint officers and services to deliver priorities and return to the ‘too The public are largely confused and mistrustful shared service vehicles. difficult’. Local authorities have a wide choice of both elected representatives and highly paid With more choices and less funding, the of new partners and forms of partnerships and officers and are not consistent about cuts. key is thoughtful leadership that can take the collaborations to choose between, to help them. Improvements could come via more shared opportunity to make savings redesign and new The pace of change is rapid in health, education, services with neighbouring or other bodies or models of delivery and partnerships – and a welfare, policing, social care and housing – and with the private sector, or by actively developing consistent focus on users and engagement with not always coherent, in helpful sequence or with spin-off mutuals from council staff. These the communities they serve. same boundaries of ‘place.’ options may not be quick or generate short-term Sarah Phillips is Deputy Director of the Local public partners should keep in close savings though it is possible to plan a ‘golden Centre for Public Service Partnerships@ LGiU contact through the changes in commissioning thread’ – in health, education, social care – which provides strategic advice and consultancy and provision to maximise joint resources, avoid first developing a LA Trading company with support on a range of issues linked to managing duplication and gaps and work constructively support, capacity building and less exposure to change, reviewing and developing local with the private and third sector. The landscape open competition which can later become more partnerships and alternative service models. is changing quickly and is more varied. Revised independent. Further, in recent joint work with a [email protected]

21 Scotland Public health – no easy answers

Dr Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, argues that our usual approach to public health encourages people to be passive recipients of services rather than active agents in their own lives. We need to find new ways to improve health and well-being.

cotland has a reputation for poor health. What, Antonovsky A recent study concluded that Scots have wondered, was Sthe second lowest life expectancy of any protecting the other 30 John Lindie country in Western Europe. Portugal was the per cent from the health only country with a lower one. consequences of such It is easy to jump to simple conclusions about appalling experiences? the cause. The Rab C Nesbitt life style of deep He concluded that fried Mars Bars, booze and fags must be the consistent, nurturing problem, mustn’t it? In fact the explanation is parenting experienced much more complex. 100 years ago, Scotland by the children had a higher life expectancy than the average before they went into for Western Europe. It began to fall behind only concentration camps in the 1950s when the heavy industries of west gave them the capacity central Scotland closed down. The significant to make sense of ill health in Scotland is concentrated in the the things that were unemployed communities which still make up a happening to them. large percentage of the Scottish population and It also gave them the their ill health cannot be fully accounted for by resilience needed to diet, smoking and alcohol. Nor, surprisingly, can cope with such adversity. Antonovsky described the development of a sense of control. We are the ill health be accounted for solely by poverty this capacity to understand and manage the not good a doing this. or income inequality. events of one’s life as “having a sense of The approach to health improvement usually A comparison of income distribution in three coherence.” Failure to develop a sense of adopted by the public sector in the UK focuses cities, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester, coherence, he argued, would produce a state of on filling deficits in the lives of individuals and shows that income levels and distribution chronic stress. communities. We design services to fill gaps are very similar across the three populations. Extensive research has shown that chaotic, in peoples’ lives and fix their problems. We leave However, the pattern of mortality in Glasgow inconsistent parenting is associated with just the them more disempowered than they were before differs significantly from that seen in the other chronically altered stress responses Antonovsky we attempted to help them. Our usual approach two cities. For all social groups, the risk of death predicted. The biological consequences of encourages people to be passive recipients is higher in Glasgow than in the other cities and, persistently elevated stress responses contribute of services rather than active agents in their disturbingly, 60 per cent of the excess premature to the elevated risks of heart disease, stroke and own lives. Antonovsky’s analysis should mortality in the Glasgow population is due to cancer seen in association with socially chaotic encourage us to develop those resources which drug and alcohol related conditions, suicide, early lives. enhance the ability of individuals, communities accidents and violence. These are psychosocially How do we apply Antonovsky’s thinking to and populations to maintain their health and determined causes of death and will not be public policy? He argued that we can create sustain wellbeing. We need to find ways to improved by encouraging the population to eat physical and mental health through supporting develop those assets which can act to protect less saturated fat. consistency in parenting. Consistent responses against life’s stresses. How do we influence the social and by carers to a baby’s needs allow it to develop Public services, with 10 minute appointments, psychological drivers which underlie this pattern its ability to understand and influence events heavy workloads and its client based mentality of mortality? Current evidence points strongly around it. And, indeed, children with a sense are not good at developing the supportive to the importance of experience in early life as a of coherence will do better at school and are relationships that help individuals grow internal powerful feature in determining how we respond more likely to be socially and occupationally assets. The people who do this best are the to adverse circumstances in adulthood. An successful. What do we do for those damaged voluntary organisations and charities who are American sociologist, Aaron Antonovsky studied by their experiences in their early years? most attuned to the needs of people in difficulty. the health of women in Israel who had endured Antonovsky would argue that a critical aspect of Switching from a model of meeting deficits to the holocaust as children. 70 per cent had any intervention intended to develop health and one of growing capacity and resilience will significant physical or mental health problems. well-being in later life should involve supporting require a lot of help from the Third Sector.

22 Scotland School dinners can be good for you

Roberta Sonnio argues that a political focus on food is no longer an option, it is an imperative and councillors need to take a lead.

olitical debates are increasingly emphasising average distance travelled per menu item has the need to design development strategies Environmentally, decreased from 330 to 99 miles – cutting food Pthat emphasize, rather than undermine, miles by 70 per cent. Economically, the first 12 the interdependence of economy, society and “ as a result of the schools included in the initiative (there are now nature. Figures speak volumes for the urgency more than 40) delivered a multiplier effect of of the task. In the last quarter of the 20th council’s local £160,000. Socially, the reform has increased century, while the global economy was doubling citizens’ satisfaction with the service: 88 per cent in size, an estimated 60 per cent of the world’s sourcing approach, of children stated they like fresh food and 77 per ecosystems have been degraded. Global carbon cent of parents believe that the scheme is a good emissions have risen by 40 per cent since 1990. use of the Council’s money. One fifth of the world’s population earns just 2 the average distance These figures remind us that, contrary to per cent of global income. And inequality in the prevailing perceptions that confine demand for OECD nations is higher than it was 20 years travelled per menu quality products to middle-class consumers, even ago. in deprived areas there is a genuine demand for Food production and consumption are item has decreased healthy food. Most importantly, perhaps, they inextricably linked to our individual and remind us that public food has the enormous communal health, to the integrity of our eco- from 330 to 99 miles – potential to create a virtuous interplay between systems, to our quality of life. Hence, political local economic development and social intervention on the various stages of the food cutting food miles by inclusion, bringing to the front the unique role chain means addressing multiple forms of of local authorities in shaping up new (and much deprivation. 70 per cent needed) constituencies around the economic All too often food has been treated as a and socio-environmental goals of sustainable commodity, subject to the laws of supply and of 120,000 people, where more than 6 per cent development. demand. In the UK, the prevailing political of households have no adult in employment discourse on public food procurement is and dependent children, an ambitious” council informed by a narrow interpretation of the is working in the spirit of joined-up thinking, notion of “best value” and an even narrower using school meals as a tool to address health interpretation of the EU regulations, which are inequalities and halt rural de-population. commonly (and wrongly) cited as a barrier to In 2004, East Ayrshire adopted a very local food sourcing. creative bidding process that aimed to involve At a time of new austerity and cuts, political organic and small local suppliers into the school will is helping the most far-sighted councillors meal system. Some of the strict ‘straightness’ to overcome imaginary obstacles and create a guidelines for class 1 vegetables were made virtuous circle of sustainable growth. Pioneering more flexible to attract organic suppliers; the councils are realising that a properly designed bidding contract was divided into as many and managed school meal service, which as nine lots to enable small local suppliers to reconnects local producers and consumers, can compete with larger national companies; and provide access to fresh and nutritious food to award criteria were equally based on price and many children for whom the school meal is the quality – which rewarded suppliers’ proposed main or even the only meal of the day. At the timescale from harvest to delivery, their capacity same time, it creates reliable markets for small to supply Fair Trade, seasonal and ethnic foods, producers who have too often been marginalized their contribution to biodiversity and their by the forces of globalization. compliance with animal welfare standards. East Ayrshire has a powerful story to tell This approach is producing important and about the potential of school food as a positive tangible benefits. Environmentally, as a result catalyst for change. In this deprived rural area of the council’s local sourcing approach, the

23 People Places Power: How localism and strategic planning can work together

This discussion pamphlet explores how localism and strategic planning can work together. We know the future of local government over the next few years will be shaped by two forces: a drive towards localism and the need to achieve efficiencies and cut spending in a challenging financial context.

In this pamphlet, the LGiU argues that if we are to prevent these drivers from pulling us in opposing directions we will need a fundamental shift in the way we think about local service delivery and the relationship between people, places and power.

Paying for it The future of localgovernment finance

This collection of essays tackles one of the thorniest issues in public service – how to fund local government. The Coalition agreement included a commitment to a local government finance review and in the run up to this these essays put forward ideas, questions and areas for discussion that should frame this review.

The LGiU argues that real power means financial freedoms and that strong local democracy is about meeting community needs by weighing competing interests and priorities; resources are critical to this.

These publications can be downloaded free of charge from the LGiU website www.lgiu.org.uk Scotland Scotland shares the pain

Iain McKenzie reports on how Scottish local authorities have responded to the need for cuts and on how the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities fought the councils’ corner.

hen some of America’s largest financial vacancies were left unfilled, and so the list of Shared Services became the buzz word for all companies alerted the world to their quick savings were identified and acted upon. 32 councils. Wproblems, the American government Other savings would have to be identified to One such project was using a single stepped in with funding that seemed to stretch bring about savings for future years budgeting. procurement source to maximise the spending to the moon and back. The rest of the world Some services would simply have to be delivered power of local government. The pound simply braced themselves for a financial tsunami that in other ways or they may not be delivered at all. had to stretch further than it had ever done, if threatened to wash away economies. Planning ahead was crucial. savings on some of the largest spends were to be Aware of this background, I took over realised. Councils now brought their collective the position of Convention of Scottish Local spending together to push for the best deals and Authorities (Cosla) spokesperson on Finance, and Cosla’s priority was most productive contracts. when the Chancellor announced £81 billion to The variety of commodities bought be cut from government spending, undoubtedly to secure an equal by councils is quite staggering, everything easier times had been seen in this position. “ from paper clips to care services for the elderly. These were cuts on an unprecedented scale. No other business is required to procure As a councillor I knew this would the most share for local such a vast array of products. Many councils challenging round of budgeting I would ever be were finding their neighbours in some areas involved in. government in the had better terms and conditions with suppliers A series of fortnightly meetings with the Scottish for similar products or services. It was time to government was set up. Cosla’s priority was to Scottish budget to be consolidate and collaborate in procurement. secure an equal share for local government in the Procurement Scotland and Scotland Excel Scottish budget to be announced later in the year. announced later would now take on the challenge to deliver The funding filter system requires Westminster procurement savings based upon the collective to set a UK wide budget which includes in the year spending of Scottish councils. Scotland’s share. The Scottish government Savings could also be achieved by councils then announces its budget, after which the looking at their internal spend on employee implications for Scottish local authorities would development. Councils in the Clyde Valley be known. ” area have now been working for some time on £1billion of cuts across Scotland was collaboration with employee training. announced on 17 November 2010 by the Clyde Valley Councils have produced online Scottish Finance Secretary. Housing, education education courses that are relevant to all their and tourism spending were all to be cut, while employees. The online courses greatly reduce the business rates would rise for large retailers. cost of sending employees on expensive external Efficiency savings with a 3 per cent target would courses. This joint working by Clyde Valley be imposed across public services, and he also councils on internal education for employees confirmed plans to introduce a pay freeze for will now be exported to other councils around public sector workers earning £21,000 a year or Scotland. This will not only make a saving this more. Also a package of agreements including coming year but in future years and still enable a council tax freeze would have to be considered councils to develop their employees. and agreed by each council before 21 December. These are difficult times for councillors Cosla’s early warning had resounded across challenged to implement cutbacks whilst the country. Cuts would have to be made and recognising and protecting priorities across their belts tightened as never before. Steps would have communities. With local government elections to be taken immediately to bring about early looming in Scotland in 2012, what will be the savings and planning ahead for future savings. reaction of the public as the cutbacks start to Unilateral decisions were already being taken, bite? Will they blame those elected to higher with individual councils identifying immediate office, recognising where the reduced funding achievable savings, their low hanging fruit. came from, or will they blame councillors who Projects that had not yet started were put on have had to choose and implement the cuts? hold. Reductions in staffing through various Budgeting for councillors has never been voluntary redundancy deals were implemented, this difficult.

25 C’llr Achievement Awards 2011

C’llr Achievement Awards 2011: The Winners

Judges faced a tough task to find the c’llr councillors of the year, following an impressive set of nominations. But there had to be winners, and here they are...

CCLA Award for Community Young Councillor Outstanding Champion of the Year Contribution to Winner: Cllr Luthfur Winner: Cllr Becky Financial Performance Rahman, Manchester Brunskill, Durham Winner: Cllr Maurice City Council County Council Hester, London Borough of Wandsworth Cllr Rahman has Elected in 2008 at achieved a great the age of 20, Cllr Cllr Heaster is described as deal since being Brunskill become the ‘driving force’ behind elected – particularly in Durham’s youngest Wandsworth’s efficiency developing links with ever councillor. In her and value for money for the past 25 years. As the communities that have been on the margins in time as a councillor her Chair of the budget review process for all council Manchester. He is described as demonstrating achievements are many; she has established departments, Cllr Heaster ensures a rigorous process an understanding of the different communities a youth-run café and a litter picking group, of challenge and always seeks to find different in the area in order to robustly represent their she secured investment from Home Housing, approaches to service delivery to drive through views to the council. campaigned for transport needs for primary value for money. Cllr Rahman has successfully bridged the school children, which also included a motion The judges noted the great personal involvement of differences between generations – all with a to full council. Cllr Heaster in Wandsworth’s financial achievements grass-roots led perspective. The judges felt Cllr The judges thought Cllr Brunskill had – a council that sets a benchmark for taking forward Rahman was a deserving winner because of the successfully shown that the best way to value for money. Cllr Heaster has set this agenda speed with which he has made a difference, improve communities is by ‘doing’ and bringing and seen it through over a long period of time. “He but also due to his ability to see the bigger people together to work as community activists. is a powerful figure in Wansdsworth and his control picture, but with a community base. “Becky is a brilliant example of what a modern of money is absolute”. Shortlisted: councillor can be”. Shortlisted: Cllr Joanne Beavis, Braintree District Council; Shortlisted: Cllr David Finch, Essex County Council; Cllr Roland Cllr Gill Farrington, South Derbyshire District Cllr James Alexander, City of York Council; Spencer, Gedling Borough Council; Cllr Robin Harris, Council; Cllr Chris Best, London Borough of Cllr Becky Brunskill, Durham County Council; Luton Borough Council; Cllr Paul Watson, Sunderland Lewisham; Cllr Luthfur Rahman, Manchester Cllr Kyle Robinson, Newcastle Borough Council ; City Council; Cllr Maurice Heaster, London Borough City Council; Cllr Shirley Potts, South Cllr Ivan Jennings, Staffordshire County Council; of Wandsworth Gloucestershire Council Cllr Henri Murison, Newcastle City Council

26 C’llr Achievement Awards 2011

New Councillor Partnership Sustainability of the Year Achievement of the Champion of the Winner: Cllr Sheila Year Year D’Souza, Westminster Winner: Cllr Ray Winner: Cllr Anthony City Council Franklin, East Devon Blagg, Worcestershire District Council County Council Since being elected in May 2010, Cllr D’Souza Cllr Franklin has As a Member Sustainability has brought dedication shown leadership in Champion, Cllr Blagg and passion to her work developing a series of has taken his role in in championing the major infrastructure championing sustainability needs of her residents. projects– projects which have brought together extremely seriously and taken sustainability right She has had a particular impact in a short space local authorities, private sector partners and up the agenda in the council. His achievements are of time in successfully resolving residents’ regional agencies. Cllr Franklin has built strong many and include leading the council’s successful concerns about a local train station and also relationships with these partners, which has led bid for Beacon Status on tackling climate change been appointed as lead member for health to planning permission for a number of projects and the introduction of an energy efficiency spend- scrutiny. and ensured that when projects were threatened to-save fund. Westminster is known for being a strong and by the recession he was able to build on strong Cllr Blagg has taken the sustainability ethos into his well established authority and the judges felt public and private sector relationships to put own life as well as championing the cause in the that to make such a huge impact in a short together a financial package with partners to council – it is this passion and his achievements space represents an incredibly impressive ensure that the project progressed. that particularly impressed the judges. achievement. As a small district, such achievements are not Shortlisted: Shortlisted: easy but judges felt that Cllr Franklin had made Cllr Neil Harrison, Bristol City Council; Cllr Bob Cllr Bally Singh, Coventry City Council; Cllr a significant impact and personally took the Young, Durham County Council; Cllr Susan Wise, Jennie Dallimore, Gloucester City Council; Cllr agenda forward for planning and regeneration. London Borough of Lewisham; Cllr Colin Hall, Van Coulter, Oxford City Council; Cllr Rob White, Shortlisted: London Borough of Sutton; Cllr Anthony Blagg, Reading Borough Council; Cllr Sheila D’Souza, Cllr Noel Spencer, Bolton Council; Cllr Lynn Worcestershire County Council Westminster City Council Riley, Cheshire West and Chester; Cllr Ray Franklin, East Devon District Council; Cllr Steve Leader of the Year Online Councillor Morphew, Norwich City Council; Cllr Philip Atkins, Winner: Cllr Graham of the Year Staffordshire County Council Baxter, North East Winner: Cllr James Derbyshire District Council Barber, London Scrutineer Borough of Southwark of the Year Highly Commended: Cllr Winner: Cllr Robert Sean Brennan, London Highly Commended: Parker, Lincolnshire Borough of Sutton Cllr Matthew Ellis, County Council Staffordshire County Cllr Baxter is described Council Highly Commended: Cllr as ‘visionary’. Under his Imogen Walker, London leadership the council went Cllr Barber’s use of Borough of Lambeth from ‘weak’ to ‘excellent’ in the CPA, has undergone online media demonstrates how councillors a massive organisational transformation, achieved can engage citizens within their own space in Highly Commended: efficiencies equivalent to 20% of the budget order to make a difference in their communities. Cllr Elizabeth Rhodes, and developed a new strategic vision for the He has established a presence on a citizen- Wakefield Council area. Evidence of Cllr Baxter’s contribution run neighbourhood website by engaging and and leadership are also seen in the cultural responding positively to local people’s issues, Cllr Parker has shown real leadership as chair of transformation of the council; morale amongst providing information, giving responses from the value for money scrutiny committee, in what staff is high and officer/member relationships are officers and inviting residents to submit their have been very testing times. He has had many now close and mutually supportive. problems and questions to him. achievements including taking the committee into This was a tough category to judge as the shortlist The judges felt that Cllr Barber’s achievements the community on site visits. He has extended his was exemplary and each council had a strong stood out because he has managed to assert impact beyond Lincolnshire by using his expertise story to tell. However the judges felt that of all the himself on existing media that residents of in a peer support programme. nominees Cllr Baxter’s leadership has brought about his local area use – he has gone to them. The The judges noted that this was an extremely evidence of real transformation to the council. “He judges noted that “if social media is about difficult category to judge, as scrutiny can be has really stepped up to the role of being leader anything, it is about being where people are” used in so many different ways, but Cllr Parker and brought clear vision to the council”. and this is an excellent example of this. stood out as he championed scrutiny to drive Shortlisted: Shortlisted: through value for money. Cllr Tricia Turner, Central Bedfordshire; Cllr Simon Cllr Tim Cheetham, Barnsley Council; Cllr James Shortlisted: Henig, Durham County Council; Cllr Sean Brennan, Barber, London Borough of Southwark; Cllr Cllr Imogen Walker, London Borough of Lambeth; London Borough of Sutton; Cllr Rod Bluh, Swindon Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire County Council; Cllr Robert Parker, Lincolnshire County Council; Borough Council; Cllr Graham Baxter, North East Cllr Catherine Lewis, Torfaen County Borough Cllr Robert Chapman, London Borough of Derbyshire District Council Council; Cllr Paul Cotterill, West Lancashire Hackney; Cllr Alan White, Staffordshire County Over the next year, we’ll be talking to each of Borough Council Council; Cllr Elizabeth Rhodes, Wakefield Council the winners to find out more about their work.

27 Living wage Raising the standard

With money so tight, Sabine Virani asks whether this is this a mad time to be committing to pay a living wage or absolutely the right time.

living wage is an hourly wage that allows a full-time worker to earn the Resources: very minimum considered necessary to A “Becoming a Living Wage Borough: A Guide for Local Authorities” by Lewisham Council. Includes a participate in society: enough to pay for basic food, shelter, clothing, utilities, transport, template motion for local authorities. education. It’s not about frills. UK living wage For a toolkit to use in within your communities: www.unison.org.uk/file/Living per cent20wage per campaigners claim that the minimum wage – cent20toolkit.doc £5.93 from October 2010 – simply isn’t enough For more information on the Minimum Income Standard, used to establish a living wage outside to live on. Minimum wage earners may be able to of London, see www.minimumincomestandard.org/livingwage.htm survive, but certainly not participate in modern Britain, much less thrive. Working full time on the minimum wage means living in poverty. But while the benefits to the individual are Lewisham clear, the societal benefits of a living wage may be less so. Yet raising wages for the lowest May 2008: Internal research revealed that no April 2010: A key priority in the mayor’s election paid creates knock-on benefits for the wider permanent staff at Lewisham Council were paid manifesto was to continue championing the community, both in terms of increased spend below the London living wage (LLW) and leave LLW with contractors and other public bodies. provision was (in most cases) above statutory in the local economy, and in terms of a host of June 2010: The re-tendered cleaning contract requirements. However, it became apparent improved social outcomes. included implementing the LLW. There is also a clear business case to be made for that staff employed by some contractors were paying a living wage. What is paid out in increased paid at the minimum wage. A LLW policy was September 2010: A number of homecare wages can be recouped in reduced staff turnover, adopted. agencies were added to the Domiciliary Care Framework, with those appointed agreeing to reduced absenteeism and better quality output. June 2009: The mayor champions due pay the LLW to their employees. Councillors would be wise to consider the consideration for implementing the LLW as each business benefits of paying fair wages, where council contract comes up for re-tender. Each December 2010: The mayor was presented with many employers have found it cost neutral potential contractor is now required to submit a Living Wage Beacon Award for his work on the (and in some cases even an improvement to a variable tender, with and without the cost of LLW within Lewisham and beyond. the bottom line) to raise wages for their lowest paying the LLW. If the LLW tender submission Further action: It is anticipated that all paid staff. According Sir Steve Bullock, mayor offers best value for money, the contract is Lewisham contractors will be paying at least for Lewisham, “there’s also a more complex awarded on that basis. the LLW to their staff by late 2012.Yet the need economic case, particularly relevant to local March 2010: Members of South London Citizens for Lewisham, like all other authorities, to authorities, when a percentage of low paid requested mayoral support on the LLW. The new make substantial budget savings means that staff live in your borough. When their wages green space maintenance and management the implementation of the LLW within council are raised, they are likely to spend all of their contract was awarded following a variable contracts may be subject to challenge. extra earnings in the local economy. That has a tender submission. multiplier effect.”

28 Living wage supermoving

The 2012 Olympics are set to be the first ever living wage games

In the UK the living wage began to take off in budget slashing, but lower wages and worse 2004 in London, when the precursor to Citizens conditions are not a road to top quality services. Glasgow UK convinced Ken Livingston (and subsequently Local authorities and their contractors must Boris Johnson) to support the concept. A growing consider overall value for money – productivity, Just as there is no one fixed hourly rate, number of London workers are benefiting, and motivation, turnover – alongside wages. there is no one model for implementing a the 2012 Olympics are set to be the first ever This is an issue with multi-party support. On living wage scheme. The model developed by living wage games. Lewisham adopted a living his first day in Downing Street, David Cameron Glasgow is very simple. Glasgow City Council wage policy in 2008. Elsewhere, Glasgow City said he wants to make sure his government determine a living wage for Glasgow to be £7. Council launched the Glasgow living wage in looked after the worst off in this country. A It began to pay this minimum to all its direct 2009, upping the wages of the lowest earners on fair wage is also consistent with the coalition’s employees in March 2009 and declared itself its own staff and inviting other local employers ambitions for a fair society. Ed Milliband a living wage employer. to do the same. Norwich City Council, which personally supports a living wage, and Labour The council then wrote to all local employers introduced its Low Wage Initiative in October councils are predominant among those that have to introduce them to the concept of a living 1990, has effectively been a living wage employer adopted a living wage already. A living wage is wage, inviting them to register if they wished of its direct employees for 20 years. part of the national Green Party manifesto. to participate in the scheme. The council At a time of public sector austerity, some will Second, recognise that the living wage is does not verify actual wage rates paid. All argue that this is not the time to fight for better a flexible tool. The JRF’s Minimum Income companies that returned the form were invited wages. Others will disagree. Standard can be a guide to a local living wage, to a business reception several months later Steve Bullock says “Councils must be clear but it’s not an absolute figure. Also, a living to celebrate their living wage status. Their about both the benefits of a living wage, and the wage can be implemented in stages, over time. company names and logos are put up on a costs if they don’t.” According to Abigale Scott Third, find out how others have achieved a special page of the council’s website. Paul of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, “The living wage. See the case studies on Lewisham Before launching its citywide living wage recession has hit those on low incomes hardest. and Glasgow below, and see some of the scheme, the council met with the small The cost of a minimum budget is estimated to resources listed in the box below. business community. Now, a number of have risen by 38 per cent in the past ten years, Fourth, work with your community. While small businesses in Glasgow participate in due to steep rises in the price of food (up 37 councils can play a vital role, living wage the scheme. Particularly in knowledge-based per cent), bus fares (up 59 per cent), council tax campaigns must also have a strong grassroots, sectors, there are small businesses where all (up 67 per cent) and some other essentials. But community-based foundation. Public pressure is employees earn at least a living wage, and official inflation has only been 23 per cent in vital – third sector organisations, churches and these businesses value being recognised as total over the same period. trade unions are natural allies. good employers in this regard. Local authorities have a vital role to play by Austerity at a national level will have social As hosts to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, highlighting the issue, creating public debate, and financial costs at a local level. How Glasgow declared these the first living wage identifying partners and developing strategies. forthcoming cuts to public services might impact Commonwealth Games. All contractors, Councils also have an important role to play the poor is contested territory, and the coalition vendors, etc associated with these games will both as employers and as commissioners. government is extremely sensitive to how it is be expected to pay the Glasgow living wage. Paying a living wage may be tricky with current perceived. This is a good time to act.

29 Elections The by-election, race and a new narrative All political parties have lessons to learn from events surrounding the campaign trail for the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election – not least the dangers of making an issue out of race, writes Jasmine Ali.

his by-election, the first since the coalition took power, was electrically charged from Tstart to finish. Government policy on the spending review, tuition fees and VAT all came under the spotlight as Labour candidate Debbie Dave Thompson/PA Wire Thompson/PA Dave Abrahams campaigned on slogans opposing current cuts in public expenditure – “Wrong Tax Wrong Time” and “Wrong Cuts Wrong Time”. Meanwhile national media were filled with predictions of a Lib Dem meltdown – which failed to materialise – and with rumours that the Tories were holding back to help their new found allies. On the ground, a veritable army of canvassers filled the streets of Oldham East and Saddleworth, itself a classic Lancastrian clash of urban and rural stereotypes. Rows of narrow dense terraced streets with old-style ginnels, Counting the votes in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election some occupied and some boarded up, sit close by semi-detached cottages, all surrounded by beautiful rolling hills. Last of the Summer Wine Any attempts to detrimentally raise race as an meets The Wire. Not your typical setting for the hordes of “election issue must be avoided. It will almost Westminster faces navigating the winding roads to join the campaign trail. Representatives from certainly blow up in your face every political persuasion jostled for position on the narrow pavements. Among them were all Labour’s former Home and Foreign Secretary right and were firmly focused on the big national the main party leaders, David Cameron, Nick minister Jack Straw. Less than one week picture and the cuts in particular.” And most Clegg and Ed Miliband. Local people took full before the 13 January election day conclusion, important to note was how voter behaviour advantage by engaging all campaigners on local Straw specifically linked British Pakistani men reflected the reshaping of UK politics. and national issues. Throughout the cold, rainy to child sexual exploitation and called for a Both coalition parties maintained their and snowy January both local and national Parliamentary inquiry into the issue of grooming. independence and there was no formal politics was debated at the doorsteps, in the Straw’s comments were unsubstantiated and later agreement between the two coalition parties. shops and on the pavements. undermined by research from Child Protection But the actions of voters took firm account of Yet this by-election had a murky back-story, On Line (CEOP). But the impact was fast as governmental reality. Tory voters transferred and was called after former Labour Immigration BNP campaigners took to the streets shouting their preferences and votes to the once despised Minister Phil Woolas was found guilty of out Straw’s words through their megaphones. Lib Dems, whose vote held up far better than deliberately lying about his rival Elwyn Watkins. Labour supporters worked hard to shake off had been feared. Woolas used election leaflets to accuse his Lib this criticism – as the outcome of the by-election In less than one year the face of politics in this Dem opponent of soliciting the support of has shown. But the lessons remain. Any attempts country has been transformed. The new coalition Muslim extremists; he also claimed Watkins had to detrimentally raise race as an election issue politics has locked the Lib Dems into what not moved into the constituency. Neither claim must be avoided. It will almost certainly blow up Douglas Alexander MP, Labour Shadow Foreign could be substantiated. Not only did Woolas in your face – as was the case with both Woolas Secretary calls a “narrative of the centre right”. lose his seat for this – he was widely criticised and Straw. And more important still, it can give The new politics may strengthen the coalition – for stoking up racial fears in Oldham, the scene encouragement to those who would intimidate but will leave the Liberals’ centre left without a of riots in 2001. our Asian communities. home. And there is only one opposition party at a Surprising to some, then, when this situation When it came, the result showed voters were time when government policy is highly unpopular, was again aggravated by the comments of ultimately unconcerned with the antics of the far even before its effects have been fully felt.

30 Another view Pickles in a pickle?

Dave Wilcox thinks that after a bullish start as Secretary of State, Eric Pickles is playing risky game by alienating some of his natural supporters in local government.

hen Eric Pickles made his first speech swing. His initial denial that the proposed as the new Secretary of State for local government settlement was front loaded His initial denial WCommunities and Local Government damaged his credibility. at the annual LGiU All Party Parliamentary At the Local Government Select Committee that the proposed Local Government Group (APPG) reception I soon afterwards, he delighted in revealing “ made a brief response. that LGA leaders had been dumfounded at his “Secretaries of State come, and Secretaries suggestion that if local government wanted local government of State go, but Secretaries of State never miss to borrow more to cover redundancy costs, this meeting as it’s an important gathering in the he would deduct the borrowing from the settlement was front local government calendar.” I ventured. settlement. He seemed unaware that the two “Well that’s a nice introduction.” a confident are completely unrelated. loaded damaged his Eric growled good-naturedly, to a chorus Then came his greatest gaff. He claimed of laughter. that local authorities are swimming in reserves, credibility By the time of the LGA conference he was still which they could use to cushion the cuts buoyant. Nevertheless he appeared disconcerted and save front line services. It was a claim by the speech from LGA Liberal leader Richard compounded by an accompanying list which “He seems to delight in throwing a grenade Kemp which preceded his own somewhat vastly over-exaggerated the level of reserves and ” and watching how people react.” confided a confusing contribution. caused very considerable resentment not only senior Tory recently. But give him his due. Having travelled down from Labour councils, but also from Lib Dems Famously too he takes no prisoners, so the standard class to Bournemouth, he stayed at and the Conservative Shires. chances of critics being on the DCLG Christmas the conference for much longer than any of his Lest you think I exaggerate, such was the card list this year are zilch. predecessors and was in listening mode. resentment in one County that the leader As a patient Eric is on the critical list. Many Many opponents describe Eric as a buffoon. fired off a despairing missive to the Conservative local government grandees are But like Ian Greenwood, the Mayor in waiting of Secretary of State. not happy bunnies. Eric’s former fiefdom of Bradford (where Pickles “Highlighting just the My own estimate is that he’ll be at was leader for 18 months), I take a very different headline reserves is playing the summer APPG Reception, but I view. His capacity to coin a phrase for the Red into the hands of our wouldn’t put money on his staying Tops is unsurpassed and his populist instinct local Labour Opposition in charge after the coalition’s first rivals that of an on-form Dennis Skinner. Like and the trade unions.” serious reshuffle which is probably Skinner however, he appears ill at ease with he wrote. “Clearly it’s due around Autumn 2011. Lib Dems, who in local government have been the economics of the In the meantime we know vociferous critics. madhouse but they both that life in local government So it came as no surprise when as a Christmas constantly claim that we will never be boring as long as greeting, Richard Kemp joked that Eric and his can use ‘oneoff’ reserves Eric Pickles is in town with his CLG colleague Grant Shapps were acting like to avoid the budget rocket launcher. “Laurel and Hardy.” reductions.” I don’t doubt Eric’s commitment to “Economics of the localism, though we might argue on the detail. madhouse” was exactly Unfortunately, this commitment is contradicted what Eric was proposing. by CLG’s constant reminders that bins should So the acid test for the be emptied weekly, that council newspapers secretary of State is should number no more than four per year and can he maintain his that chief executives should be paid less than the position given new Prime Minister. levels of public Until December he seemed to have the support and semi-private of most Tory local government leaders. However, criticism from his by the New Year there was evidence of a mood own party?

31 Postcard from San Francisco Mad about mayors

They are used to mayors in the US. And somehow Chris Mead makes them sound much more interesting that the UK version.

Jerry Brown’s well-financed campaign won the of the electorate is sufficient. (Don’t tell me, dear gubernatorial nomination and California’s two reader, you can’t find one grumpy old devil in senators ain’t budging. any group of thirty voters in your constituency.) This is a bit sad. As recently as 2004 Newsom Once the petition is accepted a special election was listed as one of the rising young stars in the is scheduled that requires a 50% vote to eject Democratic Party. (Others on the list have had the incumbent. And one misstep can be enough, mixed success. They include Eliot “Client Nine” just ask Daniel Varela, former mayor of the Spitzer and a young senator from Illinois named California city of Livingstone. Dan was foolish Obama.) Still, Gavin is only 43 and may yet enough to support the first rise in the town’s make it further up the slippery pole. water rates in a decade. Six months later he was Regardless, running a city is often the sitting on the sidewalk surrounded by cardboard stepping-stone to higher office, so I was intrigued boxes. Rough justice, but it focuses any would- to read that the UK is thinking of creating more be mayor’s mind on the wishes of the electorate. directly elected mayors. Here in San Francisco Of course, all that power vested in one person we have a strong-mayor government – sounds can have pitfalls. Let’s not forget toupee-sporting terribly butch, doesn’t it? Gavin had a large staff Vincent “Buddy” Cianci, former mayor of with several departments such as education and Providence, Rhode Island. Having completed housing under his direct control. The Board of a five-year stretch resulting from the FBI’s Supervisors crafts legislation but the mayor has aptly-named Operation Plunder Dome Vinnie ell, he’s gone; Gavin Newsom, the the power of veto, which can lead to conflict. can again be found in his natural habitat in Mayor of San Francisco, has resigned The Supes, who are elected by district, are as the back of a limo. The city of Waterbury in Wto become California’s Lieutenant (as diverse as the city they serve and their politics Connecticut holds some sort of record with three in lootenant) Governor. “What!” I hear you cry range, as one wag put it, from Democratic to mayors dispatched to the slammer. “Glamorous Gavin is replacing Arnold?” Not Dada. Sometimes things can get really out of hand. exactly, Jerry Brown, aka Governor Moonbeam, The resulting tension can occasionally lead Step forward Bell, California, a municipality of is taking that role. In theory Gavin is second in to, gasp, good government. Fr’instance the city 38,000 souls located near Los Angeles. Last year command and he will indeed take over when the recently debated putting in a bid to host the next two reporters from the LA Times discovered governor leaves the state. The rest of the time he America’s Cup. The mayor, giddy with the vision that the city administrator, one Robert Rizzo, will undertake important roles such as chairing of swelling spinnakers on the Bay, was clearly was making an eye-watering $1.5 million for the Agriculture-Water Transition Task Force. I willing to hock the Golden Gate Bridge to seal a job that included 28 weeks of vacation and believe he also turns out the lights in the Capitol the deal but the Board took a more sanguine sick leave. Council members declared themselves Building. view. Eventually a compromise tender was “sickened” by this revelation. I mean, who Why switch from being mayor of a world- hammered out that succeeded in bringing the knew? Perhaps their horror was assuaged by the famous city to an obscure post that is the regular race to San Francisco in 2013 with a yummy fact that each of them was earning $100,000 a butt of jokes? Well, he was in a bind: the mayor $1.4 billion in economic benefits. year for their part-time efforts, approximately of San Francisco is a directly elected post that is Another advantage of having elected mayors 20 times the national average. It goes on; Rizzo limited by city law to two terms and there were is that you can give them the bum’s rush, and if and the other officials charged with corruption only a couple of years left. The next step up the you cannot wait for the next election you can want the city to pay their legal bills. ladder should have been for Gavin to head to always clobber them with that most of dreaded But on balance I would go for it, dear reader; Sacramento as governor or pack his Gucci bags of political devices, a recall. It’s a two-step let’s see a bit more democracy and accountability for Washington D.C and become a US senator. tango: to get the tumbrils rolling you first gather at the town hall. Just keep an eye out for the Unfortunately for our would-be Gavinator a petition of registered voters – in some cities 3% ceremonial mace in the pawnshop window.

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