THE leader of Lichfield District Council says efforts to devolve powers to regions must still ensure local government remains “relevant and close” to communities.
Cllr Doug Pullen’s comments come after the Government unveiled proposals to extend combined authorities to cover the whole country as part of a wider reorganisation of local government.
It would see the removal of two-tier areas where county and district councils exist, with new strategic authorities being introduced.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s white paper says the proposals will help “avoid duplication and give our cities and regions a bigger voice”.
Under the plans, the new unitary councils would serve populations of 500,000 people or more.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said any changes needed to ensure close connections between elected representatives and residents:
“Lichfield District Council recognises the Government’s ambition and supports the devolution of greater powers to local level and the simplification of local government structures.
“However, we want to ensure through this proposal that local government remains close, relevant to and accountable to the communities it serves.
“Our residents and businesses are at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to see the best outcomes for those communities and to ensure these proposals help achieve our ambitions for them.”
Cllr Pullen said the council was keen to work with the Government to help develop local proposals that retain local democratic accountability.
He added that Lichfield District Council had shown it can achieve change for residents and businesses.
“Through our Being a Better Council improvement programme, we are already saving £1.7million per year to focus on providing the best service and ensure we deliver to our residents.
“Over the last 12 months we have transformed how we serve our residents through digital investment, as well as developing and rolling out one of the most generous Council Tax Reduction Schemes in the country, offering a 100% reduction to customers on the lowest incomes.
“Our Disabled Facilities Grant team have awarded just over £1.9million across 227 disabled adaptations, including stairlifts, level access showers, hoists, ramps and even extension works.
“We have also made huge strides to shape a district for the future through our regeneration works, demolishing the old multi-storey car park to make way for the new city centre developments,, turning our leisure centres into community assets, and being one of the first district councils in the country to adopt and enforce a design code.”