The UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) is going to have a significant impact on local government, creating challenges that will need to be addressed, but also opportunities to do things differently.
Key messages
Autonomy of local government
Responsibilities repatriated from the EU cannot be centralised in Whitehall. Councils have a democratic mandate to lead their communities. We need new devolution settlements in England and across the UK to bring new powers to communities through local democracy.
Developing a new legal base for local government
There are many EU laws that affect the day job of local councils. The future review of UK laws of EU origin must be informed about their real world impact. It must lead to new legislative freedoms and flexibilities for councils so that local communities, businesses and consumers can benefit.
Securing investment that is currently sourced from the EU
The Government needs to begin developing a growth policy which must be fully funded to deliver its ambitions and be locally driven post-Brexit. This must be designed and delivered by local areas as an integrated replacement for EU funding and existing national schemes to support infrastructure, enterprise, and social cohesion.