The Local Government Act 2007

In October 2006 the Local Government White Paper ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’ set out a range of proposals designed to:

• strengthen local communities
• devolve more responsibility to local authorities, whilst placing a duty on them to cooperate with other statutory partners at a local level
• engage with other partners including the voluntary and community sector. 

This was followed in December 2006 by ‘The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill 2006/07’ which makes legislative provisions for the proposals outlined in the White Paper. 

The White Paper talked about ‘a new settlement with local government, communities and citizens’ which is intended to:

• give local authorities a stronger role in leading their communities
• bring services together to address local needs and problems
• reduce central government’s role, allowing more freedom and flexibility at the local level.

The Council is expecting a number of real changes as a result of the White Paper being implemented. From 2008/09, for example, the number of relevant national performance indicators will be reduced from 103 down to 57. This means that the Council can focus its attention on issues that are key to the delivery of quality local services.  

The White Paper specifically affects the Medium Term Financial Plan by changing the Local Government Finance Settlement. Changes include the:

• amalgamation of specific grants previously received by the Council directly into the General Grant
• introduction of new Area Based Grants, which were outlined within the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

Next:  Value for Money

Back: Local Government Act 2007

• Introduction
• Executive Summary
• Local Government Finance Environment
• Local Government Act 2007
• Value for Money
• The Local Context
• Developing Financial Plans
• General Fund Revenue Account
• Housing Revenue Account
• Capital Programme
• Treasury Management

Financial Services

E-mail:

accountancy@
thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577000