Every neighbourhood, town and city has its own distinct sense of place – something that sets it apart from others. With Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) underway, it is more important than ever that those responsible for shaping new organisational structures aim to preserve and enhance this sense of place for the benefit of their local communities. 

Widespread concern

As councils affected by LGR prepare to transition to new unitary authorities, there are concerns that the distinctive character of local neighbourhoods may no longer be given the attention it deserves. However, the Secretary of State’s decision to implement the Priority Programme areas – Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock; Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton; Norfolk and Suffolk – has eased some worries about the creation of large, uniform unitary councils. Decisions regarding each area appear to have been taken individually, based on their specific circumstances and merits, demonstrating respect for local differences and uniqueness. 

This place-based approach is demonstrated in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which will introduce a requirement for all local authorities, not just those affected by LGR, to establish “appropriate arrangements” for effective neighbourhood governance in neighbourhood areas. Details about what “appropriate arrangements” will look like are due to be published in regulations, but it seems likely that how effective governance at this level will be effective will be left largely in the hands of local decision makers. 

Potential for greater sense of place

This provides all councils with the requirement to consider options for neighbourhood governance and share ideas for making use of existing organisational structures and how they will relate to the rest of the council’s governance arrangements and work alongside parish and town councils. In most areas, this is likely to require additional decision-making structures – for example, by establishing area committees. 

Area committees would help to ensure that decision-makers remain local to the neighbourhoods they serve, as only councillors elected to wards in the committee’s designated area would be involved. It might also be possible to bring in additional viewpoints, with co-option from town or parish councillors, or representatives from other community organisations. It is likely that multiple area committees will be required, and this should be viewed as an integral part of the new governance model. 

But will these new area committees be afforded sufficient decision-making power to really make a difference? This is not yet known and would need to be considered as new constitutions are being drafted. 

Alternatively, formal or informal consultative committees could be considered. These would enable ward councillors from a specified area to meet to discuss shared issues extending beyond individual ward boundaries. They can act as forums for consultation, and in more formal arrangements, make recommendations to the cabinet, council or other committees that would then have to be considered and replied to.

Keeping communities engaged

Another way to preserve a sense of place is to ensure communities are engaged and there are many ways of doing this. For example, some authorities enable co-option onto scrutiny committees and take public questions at meetings, whilst others hold local citizen assemblies, amongst other collaborative engagement tools. 

A once-in-a-generation opportunity

Whatever happens next, LGR is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink decision-making structures and to protect the interests of local communities for many years to come. 

It is hoped that the Government regulations will provide a framework for meaningful change, but if they don’t go far enough, all councils can be creative and develop neighbourhood governance arrangements to protect and enhance their sense of place. 

Key takeaways

1. Neighbourhood Governance arrangements create an opportunity to make decisions local to a place.
2. Unless the Regulations change, the current legislative framework area committees will be the most common structure.
3. Alternatively, formal or informal consultative committees could be a strong option
4. Focus on what functions and decision-making powers the neighbourhood governance model will have.