STORY
The new chair of the Local Government Association has called on the next Prime Minister to ensure that devolution reaches every part of the country. Eamonn O’Brien, the leader of Bury Council, was elected to the role at the organisation’s annual conference in Bournemouth.
O’Brien said power should be placed as close as possible to the communities affected by decisions. He called for a more mature partnership between central and local Government and argued that councils should have greater freedom to shape services and investment.
The Government has promoted mayoral and strategic authority arrangements as part of its devolution programme. Council leaders continue to seek longer-term funding settlements and powers that extend beyond selected metropolitan areas.