January newsletter
Happy New Year! The DCN Team have had a busy start to the New Year and we are very pleased to welcome Celia Griver who joined our little team at the beginning of January.
With elections looming in May it is a busy and uncertain time for many. The DCN Team will continue to work hard to make sure the districts voice is heard.
We hosted our Assembly meeting on Tuesday 27 January which was very well attended and we had some very interesting presentations. If you did not manage to attend you can see a copy of the presentations here.
As usual our newsletter contains updates about our 5 priority areas of work. if you have any questions or would like to find out more please do not hesitate to get in touch: dcn@local.gov.uk.
New ways of working
As you will know from the last newsletter the call for evidence for the DCN's research project was sent out just before Christmas. We were asking for case studies where districts have adopted new ways of working with their partners to strengthen their local leadership for their local communities, deliver savings and better outcomes. We received over 30 responses, thank you very much to everyone who submitted a case study.
We have identified a few emerging themes from the initial reading of the case studies, these are:
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Working in partnership is integral
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Strong leadership and Member engagement is required.
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The focus is on resilience to be able to continue to deliver high quality services to the customer, who are at the heart of what district councils do.
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There needs to be an agreed vision
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Flexibility on working arrangements - sharing space, working from home etc.
INLOGOV at Birmingham University who are carrying out the research are now in the process of interviewing some identified people.
We will keep you posted with further updates in the next edition.
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Economic Growth
The focus over the last few weeks has been finalising the DCN's response to the interim report of the Non-Metropolitan Commission.
The DCN has broadly welcomed the interim report and feel it provides the data to begin to challenge the misconception that it is cities that drive growth.
We have raised some key points for the Commission to consider in its final report, including:
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It should make firm recommendations and take into account the difficult subjects which we wll need to tackle to ensure sustained growth and a buoyant economy.
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The importance of securing infrastructure for the delivery of housing and employment cannot be underestimated.
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We need greater freedoms and flexibilities within the local government finance system.
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Rural transport is vital for skills development, access to employment and our ageing population
The DCN will continue to work closely with colleagues at the LGA who are currently producing the final report. This is due out in February.
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Financial independence
We recently had the opportunity to meet with Rt Hon Kris Hopkins MP to share our views on the local government finance setllement. We specifically highlighted to him our concerns on a few key areas for district councils:
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Benefits - they should be paid via districts as they are closer to claimants and in a better position to understand their needs.
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New Homes Bonus and the continued uncertainity about its future.
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Business rates reset periods.
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The costs of business rate appeals and the need for this to be met by Government.
In response to the proposed amendments in the Infrastructure Bill to move Local Land Charges functions to the Inland Revenue the DCN's Chairman Cllr Neil Clarke, MBE along with:
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Cllr Peter Box Chairman of the LGA Environment and Transport Board
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James Sherwood-Rogers Chairman of CoPSCO
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Amanda Renshaw Chair of the Local Land Charges Institute
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Steve Davies - Association of Independent Personal Search Agents
All signed an open letter to the Secetary of State to highlight the issues that would be created if the proposed changes were enacted. This includes widespread disruption to small businesses, local authorities, the property market and the wider conveyancing process.
This follows a previous letter sent by the DCN and a written submission made by the DCN to the Committee.
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Planning
The DCN planning group have been working with the economic growth group to organise a joint event. The aim of this is to review the interface between districts and LEP's on planning for growth and infrastructure, government guidance and policy on such matters and experiences from colleagues around the country. This will be the first of two events and the first one is aimed at Officers paticularly those who work in Planning or Economic Development Teams. This is taking place on:
Wednesday 1 April 2015 from 12.30 at Local Government House.
We will then organise a follow up event for Members but we have not yet set the date for this.
If you would like to attend please email dcn@local.gov.uk or book online.
A response was provided to the DCLG's consultation on the next steps to zero carbon homes; small site exemption. You can view the full response here.
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) are hosting a workshop following their publication on planning healthy weight environments. This is being held on:
Tuesday 17 February, 12.00 - 17.00 at TCPA offices in London
You can book your place here.
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Quality of life (housing and health)
Towards the end of last year we asked our members, on behalf of NHS Alliance for information about districts work with GP's. This was to help inform a guide they were producing for GP's on housing. Over 50 districts responded, thank you very much to all of those that did.
We recently produced a guide for new councillors on the public health role of districts. This was sent to the Association of Democratic Services Officers who included it in their newsletter. You can view that here.
The LGA's latest care and support bulletin is avaliable here.
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In This Issue
DCN restructure
As some of you may already know the new post of DCN Director has now been advertised. To find out more you can visit:
DCN Director job
The closing date for applications is 22 February 2015.
Sector led improvement consultation
The LGA have have launched a consultation 'Taking stock: where next with sector led improvement' which asks whether the current approach to sector led improvement is still the right one for the future or whether changes are needed. They are keen to hear your views. More details can be found at:
Sector led improvement consultation
The deadline for responses is Friday 13 March 2015.
DCN and LGA Leadership Seminar
The DCN will once again be hosting a 24 hour leadership seminar with the LGA. It is taking place on:
Thursday 12 to Friday 13 February 2015 at Roffey Park, Forest Road, Horsham.
Those who have attended in the past have said that it is a great opportunity for a Chief Executive and Leader to get away from the office and consider the future of their council. To book your place please contact Emma Louisy at the LGA 0206 7664 3161 or emma.louisy@local.gov.uk
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