Council leads the way with its localism strategy
News release issued:
Wyre Forest District Council continues to be a shining example of how to devolve power to local parish and town councils successfully.
The Local Government Association issued a publication on 11 August 2021 which presented a framework for local authorities to support parish and town councils to play an increased role in local service delivery and place-shaping.
One of the case studies included in the publication is Wyre Forest District Council’s localism strategy.
The strategy, published in late 2019, covers how the district council will support town and parish councils as well as other organisations to take ownership of assets or to run services.
Recent examples include transferring paddling pools in the district over to town councils, Kidderminster Town Hall to Kidderminster Town Council and the office building in Load Street to Bewdley Town Council.
The publication highlights how these transfers have “had a number of benefits, for residents, for the town and parish councils and for the district council.” Those benefits include value for money, securing the long term future of assets valued by the local community and making sure services are more responsive and can adapt to local need.
Councillor Helen Dyke, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and Localism said: “I launched the localism strategy in 2019 and I’m extremely proud it’s getting the national recognition it deserves.
“We have worked tirelessly with local town councils, parish councils and other organisations to transfer numerous assets and services. We will continue to build on our successes and explore new ways of delivering services our residents truly value.
“The pressures on local authority funding are well documented so I’d like to thank the parish and town councils who are on board with our strategy and are keen to secure the long term future of assets and services in their communities.”
The publication can be read in full by visiting the Local Government Association’s website - https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/local-service-delivery-and-place-shaping-framework-support-parish-and-town-councils#the-framework.