Title

CLG plans to map all public spending across localities have been criticised as ‘weak' by the Local Government Association. In a frank submission to the department, the LGA's finance experts have questioned Whitehall proposals to introduce local spending reports (LSRs) through the Sustainable Communities Act. In theory, the CLG wants to introduce LSRs to help residents understand how public cash is spent on services by a range of local providers. It is hoped the reports would complement the multi-agency, cross-border approach within local area agreements (LAAs), multi-area agreements (MAAs) and the Audit Commission's new Comprehensive Area Assessment regime. The CLG published its initial proposals for LSRs recently, and invited feedback. But in a submission, published on 3 April, the LGA argues the proposals ‘fall short of the ambitions for LSRs shared across all political parties at both central and local level'. In particular, LGA experts are concerned that the SCA reporting proposals would not apply to key providers of local public services, including regional development agencies, the Environment Agency, Jobcentre Plus, the Health and Safety Executive and, possibly, NHS foundation trusts. One LGA source said officials were ‘mystified' about the omissions, and argued the proposals ‘seem mostly to impose new requirements on local authorities'. Floating the idea of LSRs in 2006, former local government minister, Phil Woolas, said: ‘My ambition for local government and partners is to give them the financial flexibility so investments can be shared between partners and resources passed between agencies. ‘Why not take this further and have one account for the place, be it town city or area?' The LGA submission says the proposals are ‘a long way' from the flexibility envisaged by Mr Woolas, with un-ring fenced area based grant ‘covering only a small slice of the totality of local spending'.

Title

FINANCE

LSRs 'weak' claims LGA

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING