I support Amendment 192 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Lansley. It is supported by my noble friend Lady Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, who cannot be with us tonight. Clearly, I have chatted to her about it. I declare my interest as a vice-president of the LGA.
As a previous elected mayor of a district council, I can absolutely understand, from sore and bitter experience, how vital it is that all levels of local authorities participate in the development of joint spatial strategies. As mayor, my frustration grew year on year with the lack of collaboration and consultation with the county council. Perhaps more importantly, I was very aware of the gaps that naturally occur within the two-tier system. I genuinely felt by the end that residents got a worse deal through that system—which is not to say that districts and parishes, which are closest to people, do all the right things. Certainly, I had many a time to feel that, if we were not a two-tier system, things might be better.
It led to both tiers trying to pass the buck and duck responsibility and accountability, and it led to a blame game in the development of politically difficult but essential decisions. I think a lot of the decisions that need to be made to level up areas and improve economic development must be taken on that broader level. However, there were also good times, when working in real partnership made improvements to the whole county. I genuinely believe, being a “glass half full” kind of girl, that the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts. Indeed, I will say again that it is very necessary for economic development in particular.
In order to have coherent and inclusive provision across an area, all those affected should at least be able to make submissions to the joint spatial development strategy in their area. This not being the case would, in my opinion, be unwise and lead to incomplete provision and, worse than that, conflict, objections and ultimate failure. The authorities are listed in proposed new sub-paragraph (4): “a county council”, “a combined county authority” and
“district councils who are not directly involved in the joint spatial development strategy for the purposes of section 15A”.
If they are not truly engaged, the outcomes will surely be inferior and less effective than an engaged partner.
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At the LGA, we have APPGs for the County Councils Network and the District Councils’ Network. The CCN works to support county councils throughout the country and the DCN does the same for district councils, but it is interesting that both are concerned
that combined county authorities may overlook authorities operating at a very local level, which is important for success. By their very nature, they really are in touch with their communities. They need more reassurance.
Therefore, I am in favour of joint spatial development strategies, which should make it easier to have a proper strategy to ensure prosperous communities—that is surely what the Bill is about and what we all want. However, as drafted, the Bill does not enable county councils to be involved in a JSDS, despite their role, as the noble Lord mentioned, in transport, infrastructure, social care and education—the more so as spatial planning priorities appear to be the driver for moving ahead with a JSDS. Therefore, it is imperative that the local authorities directly affected should be able to contribute to their preparation and ensure that they are successfully completed.
I will give just one example of where it would be extremely unwise not to have the authorities listed in proposed new sub-paragraph (4) involved and included in the preparation of a JSDS. Many of the infrastructure projects that bring prosperity to an area are large, but others are smaller. There is a world of difference between a cross-country highway or railway and a large housing development or a cluster of 10 new homes. However, if the large development is to attract new residents, it will need access to a sufficient road network and a railway station for residents to get to work—I totally agree with the noble Lord, Lord Lansley, about the issues with getting-to-work areas.
I will share one of the examples that the noble Baroness, Lady Harding, gave from her experience—