LGA Conference - Sub-national review report could be imminent

At first listening, new local government minister John Healey’s take on councils is no different to that of his predecessor, Phil Woolas. The tone may be slightly less laconic but the familiar themes are all present and accounted for. Tight settlements, the importance of local accountability and, underpinning everything, the local area agreement as the answer to councils’ woes.

As he took the lectern to address the Local Government Association’s annual conference this afternoon, Mr Healey warned his first speech should be treated as a work in progress. The same certainly applied to the answers he gave to questions from the floor. Urged to abandon local government reorganisation, fully fund concessionary bus fares and reform the grant distribution system, all on his second day in office, he understandably pled the fifth.

But if there was one thing to prick the ears of the delegates, it was the revelation the Treasury’s sub-national review of economic development and regeneration was completed last week. It is this piece of work that will reveal what steps Gordon Brown plans to take to enable councils to grow their local economies. Supplementary business rates? Super-LABGI? Regeneration bonds? All will be revealed.

Mr Healey refused to elaborate on when the review will see the light of day but the word on the lips of some in Birmingham was that it could be as soon as ten days’ time.

The only signs of discontent in the audience came when he spoke of the tough settlement to come for councils. But for most this has become a familiar theme.

He finished off by telling the conference “I will consult you, I will challenge you, I will make some decisions you won’t like but I will remain completely committed to local government”. An intriguing start.

Added by Daniel Drillsma-Milgrom live from conference