By Cllr Stephen Conway
As we all focus on the general election, it might be helpful to think about what kind of relationship we want to see between central and local government in the future.
In one sense, local and national government are in obvious tension.
Central governments, of all political persuasions, tend to want to impose more uniformity and exert more control over what happens in the localities.
Local government, meanwhile, champions local decision-making and local choice.
If there is a natural tension, the relationship does not have to be adversarial. Most governments, despite their centralising instincts, recognise that people across the country appreciate the opportunity to influence the decisions that affect their everyday lives.
In those services that are genuinely local and need to be tailored to local circumstances, it makes sense for government in London to acknowledge that it does not know best and should leave it to local democracy.
There are some areas that councils handle that are in practice national challenges, not truly local ones. Here, I would argue that central government should recognise its responsibilities and help local government do what is required in its own area.
Let me give you an example.
Meeting rising demand and increasing costs of delivering adult and children’s social care is not just a problem for Wokingham. It’s a problem for all councils that have a duty to provide these vital services. But the costs are so great that they threaten to drive some councils into insolvency.
Central government needs to recognise that the challenge of providing adult and children’s social services is nationwide. Ideally, it should reform the social care system to fund it from national rather than local taxation.
Realistically, the best we can hope for is an appreciation the government needs to give local councils more help in delivering these key services.
I realise the next government will face many different demands on the public purse. Local government is unlikely to be high on its priority list. We can expect the NHS and perhaps defence spending to be the focus of new ministers’ attention.
I hope, however, that adult and children’s social care will not be overlooked. It supports many very vulnerable people in society and should be a priority for any government.
A greater contribution from the centre, which acknowledges the true costs to councils of delivering both adult and children’s social care, would be a great way for the new government to show that it understands the need for a new relationship with local councils.
Cllr Stephen Conway is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and ward member for Twyford, Ruscombe and Hurst
