And whither 'localism' in all this? The ideal solution where central government can determine where to cut spending but at the same time say to local govt 'we're giving you the freedoms, power and responsibility to sort this out'.
Buck passing or enabling (overwhelmingly Tory) local government to do what they do best? Apart from anything else, local democracy needs to be a hell of a lot stronger for any kind of accountability to exist to The Community, not to mention how local accountability is supposed to be increased when 'official' accountability is direct to Parliament (as in Place Based Budgeting).
no subject
And whither 'localism' in all this? The ideal solution where central government can determine where to cut spending but at the same time say to local govt 'we're giving you the freedoms, power and responsibility to sort this out'.
Buck passing or enabling (overwhelmingly Tory) local government to do what they do best? Apart from anything else, local democracy needs to be a hell of a lot stronger for any kind of accountability to exist to The Community, not to mention how local accountability is supposed to be increased when 'official' accountability is direct to Parliament (as in Place Based Budgeting).