In a speech to the New Local Government Network, Yvette Cooper MP, set out the developing relationship between central and local government against the background of the White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities.Central government intends to step back and the relationship with local government will be developed through Local Area Agreements. Currently some 500 million pounds of funding streams go through local area agreements. The proposals in the White Paper will take this up to 4.7 billion pounds. Today there are 1200 national targets and indicators in a local area. This will be reduced to 200 indicators with around 35 improvement targets, plus statutory education and child care targets included in the LAA. There is a presumption that in future all area-based funding will go – unringfenced – through the LAA.

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RUNAWAYS POINT TO LACK OF SUPPORT FROM SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS

Young people end up living on the streets when they feel that overstretched social services departments cannot help them, according to a new report today. The study by the children’s charity NPSCC and St Christopher’s Fellowship also highlights the lack of emergency accommodation available for children who have nowhere else to go and calls for more support for social workers.

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CONFIRMATION OF FUNDING SETTLEMENT COMES WITH NEW CAPPING WARNING

Local Authorities have again been warned that the Government is ready to cap any councils judged to have proposed an excessive increase in Council Tax. The clear message came from Local Government Minister Phil Woolas when he announced a 4.9 increase in the funding settlement for councils next year. Meanwhile Local Government is warning ministers that they have some important decisions to make on the future funding of local authorities.

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