Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has called for radical devolution at the Local Government Association Conference, outlining plans to give communities more control over services and budgets. Speaking at the event, Reed announced the launch of a £15m Community Power Pilots programme, which will support councils and communities to innovate with new approaches to meeting residents' needs.
The scheme aims to address regional inequalities and over-centralisation, with Reed highlighting that seven out of the ten poorest regions in Northern Europe are in England. He argued that the country is being pulled apart and that radical change is needed.
Reed also announced a £61m Community Right to Buy Fund, which will let communities take control of much-loved local pubs, venues, and community centres if they face closure. The fund is part of a broader effort to reform how public services are procured, with a focus on outcomes and social value.
The proposals have been welcomed by some, who see them as a necessary step towards more meaningful devolution. However, others have expressed concerns about the practicalities and potential impact on local services.