Labour values in practice up and down the country

Over three years into this Tory-led Government, the financial cuts to and political attacks on, local government are relentless. Councils continue to take the brunt of Government’s failing austerity drive: an average 33% cuts to council budgets in this Parliament will now be followed by 10% to kick off the next one from 2015/16. The poorest areas are hit the hardest, not just by these cuts to formula grant which hit councils unequally, but by the many other ways councils’ funding is undermined – which include the New Homes Bonus that favours higher value areas, council tax freeze funding of 1% a year meaning a real terms cut for those who take it up, and localising council tax support whilst taking a 10% chunk of the funding.

While his Whitehall department continues to sap the lifeblood from our communities, Pickles busies himself with meddling in the day-to-day affairs of councils – issuing constant edicts on bins, how councils communicate with their own residents, whatever takes his fancy. This is not localism despite their claims- even their much-vaunted Localism Act which they claimed would devolve power actually ended up giving many more powers to the Secretary of State.

In the face of this onslaught, Labour councils are showing their mettle. The cuts have been severe and there is no end in sight, but Labour councils are striking a realistic balance: standing up for their communities, setting balanced budgets and finding new ways to deliver for people. It is certainly not easy, and there will of course be difficult decisions and tensions, but by working with our residents, trade unions, the voluntary sector and local businesses we are showing that local leadership is what counts.

The ideas, energy and creativity coming from our Labour councils provides us with optimism for the future, and proof that there is an alternative to an ideological austerity drive that creates nothing but empty voids where once there was life. As our One Nation Localism report  showed, Labour councils are finding new ways to deliver on our enduring values. Manchester is pioneering more effective interventions for people out of work, developing a new model to fund housebuilding and breaking down barriers between acute and social care; Hackney has remodelled its children’s social care services to deliver more efficient, effective interventions and is shifting to prevention in adult social care; and Stevenage is providing much needed support to small business start-ups and developing new carbon neutral social housing. I’m pleased that the leaders and mayor of these three local authorities have been asked by Ed Miliband to lead a Taskforce to look in more detail at what lessons can be learned from Labour councils making a difference in tough times.

There are many more examples of Labour councils leading the way. Whether it’s working with residents to break down barriers in Oldham, building resilience in Newham, delivering on ambitious plans for new homes and schools in Liverpool or involving communities in decision making in Durham, Labour councils up and down the country are at the forefront of new ideas in our party. And it’s not just ideas and thinking we are coming up with – its practical, real life changes that make a tangible difference to people’s lives. Labour councils are the policy powerhouses of the Labour Party and the antidote to apathetic attitudes that politicians are all the same – we are showing that decision making has practical effects day in day out, to the maximum benefit of our residents.

This is localism in practice and at its best. Local areas with different needs, circumstances and histories are deciding for themselves what they need and getting on with meeting those needs in the way that works best. If they can do this in such a harsh political and economic climate, imagine what they could do with a more supportive Labour Government in power, one which understands that social justice and localism can go hand in hand?

We live in hope – but for now we battle on. We are not prepared to sit back and accept the Government’s pernicious attacks on the most vulnerable. That’s why last month 36 Labour councils held a summit on the Bedroom Tax – of all the callous reforms from this Government, this is one that is already proving to have devastating consequences. We will continue to work together and with Labour nationally to ensure we keep this issue high on the agenda and seek to reverse it as soon as possible. Labour councils will not stand quietly by.

The reason each and every Labour councillor stood for election in their community was to make a difference and improve the lives of those they represent. There has never been a more important time to have so many passionate and committed Labour councillors. Their hard work makes all the difference to people in tough times, and we will continue to ensure our Labour values are put into practice despite the odds.

Cllr David Sparks, Leader of the LGA Labour Group and Leader of Dudley MBC