Member

I now turn to Amendment 95, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, which seeks to outline the purpose of local government as authorities providing place-based leadership and long-term stewardship of local areas. The Government of course agree with the principles set out in this amendment and agree with her that local authorities should not merely be the delivery arm of national government. That is why we are taking steps to empower local government to deliver for local people. We are providing local government with fair and simplified funding, focusing on outcomes rather than micromanagement. We are putting local government finances, as I said, on a fairer and surer footing by overhauling local audit. Given this Government’s clear commitment to empowering local government, we believe that this amendment is not necessary. The Bill does not impinge on the powers of local government to act as place leaders. Strategic authorities will deal with regional issues such as transport and economic growth, focused across larger functional economic geographies. Local authorities will be constituent members of their combined authorities and combined county authorities and will therefore play a central role in making those place-based decisions and drawing up local strategies such as their local growth plans. I hope that this answer assures the noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, and the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, that the Government are committed to empowering local government.