LGA responds to announcement of communities renewal taskforce

Local Government Association stands ready to work with government, but warns local leaders must be part of solutions.

It’s less than a week since the Office for the Prime Minister & Cabinet announced the launch of three new taskforces to tackle the cost of living, local regeneration and public ownership of essential services. The new taskforces will coordinate different departments and ministers, and will be lead by First Secretary of State Louise Haigh.

One taskforce will specifically focus on the cost of living, with action already taken including cuts to bus fares, support with energy bills and a crack down on so-called subscription traps. The second taskforce is focused on public control of essential services such as housing, water, energy and transport.

The third taskforce, focused on community renewal, aims to improve people’s everyday experience of where they live. Working with local leaders, the taskforce will create a new plan to rebuild Britain.

Now the Local Government Association (LGA) has responded to the announcement. Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Chair of the LGA, says: ‘We are ready to support and help shape national work on tackling cost of living, improving local regeneration and supporting essential services.’

But he also warns that local councils and leader must play a central role in any such work. ‘Councils know their communities best, so it is crucial that their local knowledge and democratic accountability should be kept at the front of these taskforces’ focus. We will work with government as part of the taskforces to ensure local council leaders are part of the solutions, and we can successfully translate this into lasting change for local communities.’

Louise Haigh, First Secretary of State, said when the taskforces were announced: ‘The Prime Minister has been clear that the government’s priorities are the public’s priorities. This is about putting people back in control of the things that matter most to them and ensuring that the everyday essentials are more affordable and more accountable.’

Photo by Artur Kraft / Unsplash

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