New government promises “radical devolution” of power to local authorities

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have published the outcome of their coalition negotiations which contains a large number of measures that will affect local government, including a “radical devolution of power and greater financial autonomy to local government and community groups” and a comprehensive review of local government finance.

Although the Liberal Democrats have succeeded in watering down many of the Conservative's manifesto commitments, so-called “free schools” - which can be established by companies or individuals outside of local authority control - are to go ahead under the direction of the new Schools Secretary Michael Gove, although the Liberal Democrats have secured a commitment that such schools should be “held properly accountable”.

The long-awaited spending review will take place in the Autumn, although an emergency budget is due within 50 days which will outline plans to cut £6 billion from “non-front line” services with the parties agreeing to “protect those on low incomes from the effect of public sector pay constraint and other spending constraints”.

The coalition agreement includes a commitment to hold a referendum on devolving more powers to the Welsh Assembly and an independent commission to review the long-term affordability of public sector pensions, although accrued rights will be protected. The government will also work to limit application of the EU Working Time Directive in UK

Other measures announced include the end of detention of children for immigration purposes, speeding up the implementation of individual voter registration, the extension of the scope of the Freedom of Information Act to provide greater transparency and further regulation of CCTV.

On the planning front, the coalition agreement promises measures to promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity and measures to promote a huge increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion.

The coalition government will bring forward the national planning statement for ratification by Parliament to enable new nuclear power plant construction, although the Liberal Democrats are to maintain their policy of opposition to nuclear power. The coalition document also affirms the government's commitment to the construction of a high-speed rail network to be built, albeit without providing specific details.

The coalition agreement is silent on the future of two of the more controversial Conservative manifesto promises – elected police chiefs and the intention to abolish the Human Rights Act (HRA). However, the appointment of Kenneth Clarke as Justice Minister may indicate that the HRA will survive the next Parliament as Mr Clarke has spoken out in support of its retention in the  past.