Deloitte response to Heseltine report local government proposals |
31 October 2012
Responding to the proposals set out on local government by Lord Heseltine in his report on economic growth, Phil Holt, local government partner at Deloitte, the business advisory firm, said:
“Lord Heseltine’s report outlines a number of detailed and considered recommendations about the role of local and regional government. The economic potential of our provincial cities needs to be recognised and harnessed.
“Local Enterprise Partnerships have limited power and resources and their value is frequently questioned. Lord Heseltine’s proposals around giving them greater powers, reviewing their skills and giving access to pooled resources are therefore encouraging.
“Introducing a legal duty for local authorities to consider economic development in their activities and functions would also be welcome. Many local authorities, particularly metropolitan councils, already see this as an important function but, to be successful for all councils, a statutory responsibility needs to be backed up with stronger powers and more resources.
“As Lord Heseltine recognises, how we are going to spend the hundreds of millions of EU money from 2014 onwards will be crucial. With broader central and local support for matching the EU investment, this is a big opportunity to deliver a more co-ordinated public sector funded investment plan to promote economic growth. However there needs to be a broader agreement between councils and both Whitehall and Brussels about how the money can be spent and the regulatory framework necessary for it to be truly effective.”
Ends
About Deloitte
Deloitte LLP is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), a UK private company limited by guarantee, whose member firms are legally separate and independent entities.
Please see www.deloitte.co.uk/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms.
The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.
Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Last Updated:
Media contacts
- Name:
- Mark Smith
- Company:
- Deloitte
- Job Title:
- Phone:
- 020 7007 7082 / 07 590 041 301
- marksmith@deloitte.co.uk
Share this page
© 2013 Deloitte LLP. All rights reserved. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity.
Please see About Deloitte for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its Member Firms. View our accessibility statement.
