One of the hardest tasks in government, whether at a national or local level, is to focus on achievable objectives and not be diverted by superficially-attractive issues which manage to capture the headlines. By definition, most media preoccupations have an incredibly short shelf-life. The issues which dominate the airwaves one week are often entirely forgotten within a couple of months. Some do have significant, ongoing impacts, and can contribute to reshaping the way society handles or looks at a particular issue. But most are ephemeral. These thoughts have been partly prompted by the flurry of speculation about a range of issues relating to local government since Gordon Brown became prime minister. In just three months, we have seen an astonishing range of propositions about possible changes to the way in which local government operates, relates to other parts of the public sector, and is accountable to the communities it serves. Some of the speculation about possible new powers, settlements or roles for local government is a natural consequence of the formation of the new government. There is an expectation of change and a degree of uncertainty about how newly-appointed ministers will want to proceed and what will be their priorities. If we add in the possibility of an early general election, much touted in the past month, it is hardly surprising that there has been such a ferment of speculation about what the future may hold for local government. But speculation is what it mostly is. Strip away the opinions and the hype, and it is a sobering experience to see what are firm commitments, what are potential aspirations, and what are no more than expressions of hope from within the local government family. A careful reading of the Governance of Britain Green Paper is illuminating. Its 60 pages are packed with interesting and thought-provoking suggestions for constitutional reform. They include measures to make the executive more accountable, make Parliament more effective, to reinvigorate democracy and engage citizens at a local level. But the number of references to local government are few, and mainly concerned about how local authorities can become more accountable to their communities. So, those who expect a whole raft of new powers to be delivered to local government without strings attached are likely to be in for a serious disappointment. But this is not to say that local government should be disheartened. On the contrary, this is a period of opportunity in which the sector can and should be focusing on achievable goals, rather than simply reacting to every straw in the wind on constitutional reform. Rather than waiting in the hope that central government will deliver an ideal new constitutional settlement, local government needs to be demonstrating how practical arrangements on the ground can deliver the outcomes that both central and local government want to see. Better joined-up working across the public sector and between neighbouring authorities, more creative involvement of local communities in decision-making, innovative new ways of tackling economic, social and environmental challenges – all of these are areas where local government can and should be taking the lead and showing, by example, how effective local initiatives can deliver for local communities. Many authorities have already proved their leadership potential through local partnerships and innovative new approaches. Building on these foundations and demonstrating local government's capacity to make a real difference is the way forward. If sufficient numbers of local authorities can now rise to this challenge, we should be able to see real outcomes, bringing lasting benefits. Otherwise our successors could well find themselves leafing through old newspapers and journals, marvelling at the arcane debates about long-forgotten models of devolution which preoccupied local authority spokespersons in the early years of the 21st century. n Nick Raynsford is former local government minister
