Radically devolve power to councils and cut out middlemen, says LGA

The Local Government Association has called on the coalition government to implement fundamental reform of the way the public sector works “to cut out middlemen who cost billions”.

Responding to the publication of the coalition agreement, LGA chairman Dame Margaret Eaton said: “This agreement needs to pave the way for a radical devolution of power to locally elected councils, which are close to the people they serve. They are on the side of local people and best placed to take tough decisions about vital public services that affect every family in the country.”

Eaton said the LGA would need to work closely with ministers on details of those proposals in the government’s programme that devolve power to councils.

She added: “Councils have already delivered the lowest council tax rise ever for this financial year. Councils will work with the government to keep council tax as low as possible, deliver savings across the public sector and protect front line services that people need.”

For a summary of how the government’s programme will affect local authorities, click here.