The Local Government Bill was published this week – giving councils more control over health services than they have had since 1947. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill includes all the parts of the White Paper which need legislation. In addition, it puts more emphasis on the role of local government in working – and scrutinising – PCTs. Speaking to The MJ, local government minister, Phil Woolas, said the DCLG had ‘persuaded the rest of government' that councils should take more control over health. The move aimed to ‘break down the silos' of the public sector. Any new costs incurred by councils will be funded by the Department of Health, under the new burdens policies. Apart from the Bill, the Government will also put forward an ‘implementation plan' in January for the parts of the White Paper which don't require legislation. The Government has also set out its plans for City Development Companies (CDCs). The CDCs aim to pull together the public and private sector to improve economic development in cities and city regions. l The Conservatives have pledged to fight the Government's attempts to give London mayor, Ken Livingstone, more power over borough councils. Shadow housing spokesman, Michael Gove, said the Greater London Authority Bill, which had its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday, would take planning decisions ‘out of the hands of local people'. The London Assembly has also voiced concerns about the Bill not increasing their powers to keep Mr Livingstone in check.
