SPCA issues "Call For Evidence" to help local councils after LGR
Staffordshire is entering a period of Local Government Reorganisation, which will result in the creation of new unitary councils responsible for delivering all local services.
This represents a significant opportunity for town and parish councils to influence how these new authorities work with our sector. Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association (SPCA) is therefore launching a Call for Evidence to gather the views, experiences and recommendations of member councils.
We are seeking practical, member-led suggestions on the policies, powers, procedures and partnership arrangements that the new unitary councils should adopt to strengthen local democracy and improve outcomes for communities.
Examples of areas that councils may wish to consider include:
• Operating Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) arrangements that ensure parish councils receive developer funding for local projects.
• Streamlined approval processes enabling parish councils to make greater use of highway-related powers and undertake local improvements.
• Enhanced involvement of town and parish councils in tourism promotion and place marketing.
• Greater partnership working in environmental enforcement and local environmental improvement initiatives.
• Community safety programmes and neighbourhood-based interventions.
• Asset transfer opportunities and management of local facilities.
• Local planning engagement and neighbourhood planning support.
• Funding arrangements for community projects and local service delivery.
• Improved consultation and communication arrangements between principal authorities and local councils.
These examples are not intended to limit discussion but serve as examples. We would encourage councils to draw upon their own experiences and identify areas where current arrangements work well (or not so well), where barriers exist, and where new unitary authorities could adopt better approaches from the outset.
How to Submit Evidence
We ask member councils to:
1. Place this matter on a council or committee agenda.
2. Discuss and agree recommendations through a formal meeting.
3. Submit a copy of the minutes of the meeting along with your recommendations to SPCA.
The use of council minutes as evidence will ensure that the views submitted represent formally considered positions from member councils and will provide a robust evidence base for our work.
Please submit your minutes and recommendations to us by emailing spca.parish@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Deadline
We will begin collating responses and drafting the position document at the end of the year, allowing councils several months to contribute.
The SPCA will collate and analyse the evidence and produce a sector-led position document setting out the priorities, expectations and recommendations of Staffordshire’s local councils for the new unitary authorities.
This is an important opportunity to ensure that the voice of local councils is heard during one of the most significant changes to local government in generations.
We strongly encourage all member councils to participate.