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Council leaders and chief executives were urged this week to use their under-used wellbeing power to help battle the recession. In a letter to all English councils, local government minister, John Healey, complained that take-up of the eight-year old power was ‘still limited', with just one in 12 making use of it. He added: ‘I see the power as a useful tool for local authorities, especially in the current economic downturn when our priorities are to keep people in their homes, in jobs and in cohesive communities.' The power of general competence allows councils to do anything, except raise council tax, to promote the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their area, and was part of the 2000 Local Government Act. Its aim was to encourage them to be innovative. But CLG research, published this week, showed that while 90% of councils were aware of the power, less than one in 12 used it, mainly because of confusion over its scope and legality. It recommends greater promotion of the power to officers and members, and training for lawyers to promote confidence in their use of the power.' Speaking at this week's County Councils Network conference in Oxford, Mr Healey said the current downturn was ‘a big opportunity for local government to show leadership', with the counties ‘showing the way because of their scale and expertise.' He added that the potential for using the wellbeing power ‘is greater than any other time in the last eight years', and should be used ‘to cut through bureaucratic and legal obstacles'. But he warned councils: ‘Don't expect any more money.'

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ECONOMIC GROWTH

'Use wellbeing' to battle crunch urges minister

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