- Conference
- Date
- June 16, 2017
- Decision
Conference notes that the current Conservative Government has continued to pursue the devolution agenda championed by the previous Labour Government, but in a manner contrary to the true principles of devolution.
In many cases this now means devolving responsibility for service delivery without providing adequate funding. In practice this means the Conservative Government’s devolution agenda is about Westminster imposing cuts on regions and then blaming them for reductions in service delivery, rather than the power to make real changes in our communities.
The North East continues to be disproportionally impacted by central government austerity cuts which make it challenging for local authorities to deliver essential public services. The current gap in social care funding highlights one significant impact of the Government’s continuing austerity.
Conference believes that real devolution can be positive for public services and public service workers. Real devolution can give both communities and those delivering public services at a local level greater flexibility and more say over those services than if they are delivered exclusively from the centre. Real devolution must include the ability to determine funding and tax-raising powers, as well as decision-making and responsibility.
The Northern Public Service Alliance and UNISON have been working with local authority leaders to develop a narrative which challenges the Government’s narrow approach to devolution, whilst building alliances across trade unions and community groups to campaign for a better deal for the English Regions.
Conference therefore calls upon the National Executive Council to:
- Work to ensure that devolution does not become a race to the bottom, with cities and regions undercutting each other to attract business investment with a knock on impact on public service provision;
- Lobby government for genuine consultation with local authorities and residents of those areas before further devolution deals are finalised;
- Work with MPs and councillors who share our aims and values on devolution to develop a clear economic and growth plan for English regions.
Northern Region
NEC POLICY: SUPPORT
93.1
Delete last sentence of fourth paragraph (beginning: “Real devolution…”) and replace with:
“There is a high degree of inequality between English regions in regard to both their ability to raise tax revenue and the level of social need. It is important to ensure that less-affluent areas of the country are not disadvantaged by any moves toward ‘fiscal devolution’ and that mechanisms are in place for resources to be distributed on the basis of need.”
Insert new point 4):
“4) Continue to provide a framework within existing structures for UNISON regions in England to take a view on city-region proposals.”
Manchester Branch
NEC POLICY: SUPPORT