The Government has announced a new ‘Neighbourhood Guarantee’ aimed at improving public services and giving local communities greater influence over how their towns, villages and cities are run.
Under the plans, councils and local leaders will work with central government to meet clearer expectations on issues including street cleanliness, pothole repairs and other day-to-day services that affect local communities.
The proposals form part of a wider package of reforms intended to shift more decision-making powers away from Westminster and into local areas.
Alongside the Neighbourhood Guarantee, ministers confirmed the launch of Community Power Pilots in up to 25 locations across England. The pilots will allow councils, residents and community organisations to jointly design local services based on the needs of their area.
The schemes are expected to focus on services such as youth provision, early years support and community safety, with residents directly involved in deciding how facilities including parks and community hubs should operate.
The Government said the changes build on wider devolution measures, including the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act and the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme.
The announcement also included new measures aimed at reshaping high streets and tackling concerns about the concentration of certain businesses in town centres.
Councils are set to receive stronger powers to restrict the spread of vape shops, betting shops and some other premises, as well as powers to take control of long-term vacant commercial units and repurpose them for community use, local services or new businesses.
The Government said the changes follow concerns raised by local authorities and residents about the growing number of vape stores and adult gaming centres in some urban areas, particularly in more deprived communities.
The reforms come alongside recent measures allowing councils to carry out Gambling Impact Assessments to limit the number of gambling premises in certain locations.
Separately, the Home Office has launched a High Street Organised Crime Unit aimed at tackling criminal activity linked to businesses including vape shops and barber shops.
The package also includes additional powers for regional mayors, including greater authority over the approval of major transport schemes in their areas.
Ministers say the overall aim is to improve local accountability and ensure communities have a greater role in shaping the services and environments they rely on every day.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: ‘People want to live in neighbourhoods where streets are clean and safe, the high street is vibrant, and core public services are available. But too often this isn’t what happens.
‘The Government’s new Neighbourhood Guarantee sets minimum standards local people can expect to see and hold public services to account. And if things don’t improve, there are new powers to force change. This is all about showing respect for the places people call home.’
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