A call to action

摘要

It has become a well-worn cliche over recent years, but it seems that now, more than ever before, local authorities face the opportunity to shape their own agenda and break free from centralisation. Local councils face a number of looming challenges locally, and are central to key themes of the national political agenda - from climate change to cohesion - and it will be up to councils to deliver. In the past, Whitehall has been reluctant to hand over any powers to its local counterparts. Whether ministers were fearful of their manifesto priorities failing to come to fruition, or if it was just sheer reluctance to let go, the instinct of those in central government was always to hold on to whatever they could.