Manifesto
for Counties
About
The country is just weeks away from the 2024 general election.
This election will take place at a critical period for local authorities in England, and in particular, the county and unitary authorities that represent the most significant part of the local government family.
Following that contest the next government will set out its vision for the country for the next five years and beyond. Local government is part of the fabric of England and the issues faced by county authorities, and the communities they represent, deserve to at the heart of the next administration’s priorities for office.
Built on an extensive evidence-base and a shared vision, the cross-party County Councils Network’s Manifesto for Counties sets out detailed proposals the network want to see political parties adopt in the lead up to the election and then implement during the next Parliament.
This is an ambitious blueprint. It outlines how sustainable but empowered county and unitary authorities can work in partnership with the next government to deliver their domestic agenda, while tackling some of our nation’s greatest economic and social challenges.
Why counties matter
The 37 councils that make up the County Councils Network are the largest local authorities in England. They represent towns, cities, rural and coastal communities across all four corners of the country: from Cumberland to Cornwall, Durham to Kent and Shropshire to Suffolk.
With a new Parliament on the horizon, it is therefore vital that the voice of county areas is heard loud and clear.
The essential services they provide enhance the everyday lives of 46% of England’s population, some 26 million people, with these councils covering 86% of England. County Councils Network members are responsible for £37bn in local government service expenditure, using it to maintain 126,000 miles of roads, respond to 955,000 adult social care requests per year, whilst looking after over 31,000 children in care.
Counties are also the backbone of the UK economy, producing 39% of England’s economic output, helping over 1.2 million businesses thrive, and supporting 12 million jobs.
Crucially, they contain 285 of the parliamentary constituencies that will be contested in England at the coming general election.
This is why counties matter: not just in this election but for the entire country’s economic, social and environmental future.
Foundations
Overview
Any new government will be met with a myriad of challenges and the next administration will be no different. It will take power hot on the heels of a global pandemic, the present cost-of-living crisis, worsening climate change, long-term productivity weaknesses and public finances under strain.
Whilst there are numerous challenges facing councils over the next five years, the election is an opportunity for the main political parties to put forward proposals that would usher in a genuine step-change for how county authorities are empowered, resourced, and enabled to innovate, while fundamentally changing the relationship between central and local government.
Over recent years county and unitary authorities have shown time and again how they can step up and deliver for our nation: whether it be continuing to deliver excellent frontline services at a time of fiscal austerity, leading the local response to Coronavirus or supporting local economies to recover in the wake of economic shocks.
But to do even more - and deliver the proposals contained in this Manifesto for Counties - the next government must put in place four key foundations.
Sustainable Long-Term Funding
As this Manifesto vividly demonstrates, local government finances have never been under so much pressure.
After almost a decade of austerity and rising demand for services, the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have placed further strain on already stretched budgets.
While recent short-term increases in funding have been welcome, this has only helped meet some of the additional costs of growing demand and historically high inflation - failing to address the structural underfunding of councils.
The next government must set out a long-term, sustainable funding settlement for councils, coupled with a comprehensive reform of council finances, while providing more freedoms and flexibilities to raise local revenues.
An Agenda for Reform
Funding alone, however, will not be sufficient to secure a sustainable future for local government and the essential services residents and businesses rely on.
The next government will inherit a tight fiscal envelope, and while additional funding is urgently required, it must go hand-in-hand with reform.
There needs to be a comprehensive review of councils statutory responsibilities to ensure that the duties and regulations placed on councils enable local authorities to provide services in line with local needs and the funding envelope available to them.
Most importantly, it must work with the sector to implement the reforms contained in this Manifesto for Counties which can improve outcomes and drive down costs, particularly in adult social care, children’s services, SEND and home to school transport.
Localising & Devolving
Local government is at the heart of every community.
It provides the services that people rely on, the housing and infrastructure that builds communities, and the support to local business that can drive national prosperity.
The next government must maintain a presumption of ‘local first’, ensuring that those services currently delivered by county and unitary authorities remain under their remit and are enabled to thrive.
Crucially, it must set out an ambitious programme of English devolution. As the proposals contained in this Manifesto for Counties show, this should build on the progress made in recent years, transferring more powers and resources from Whitehall directly to county authorities and the communities they serve.
Tackling Climate Change
Mitigating and adapting to climate change and delivering net zero is one of the biggest challenges of our generation.
As local place-leaders, councils are already working tirelessly to reduce their carbon footprint and encourage behaviour change.
However, as the proposals across this Manifesto for Counties show, tackling climate change will require a long-term strategic approach, supported by policies tailored to local needs.
The next government must move away from an overly-city focused approach and work in partnership with local government across the country to deliver place-based solutions that respond to the challenges they face and opportunities delivering net-zero present.
Policy Proposals: Overview
Local Government Finance
Adult Services & health
Children's Services & education
Devolution & local growth
Housing, infrastructure & transport
