“Running out of gas – is it too late to fix local government finances?”

Localis is an independent think-tank, dedicated to issues related to devolution, local economic growth and public service reform.

Localis

How do we fix a broken system of local government finance and empower councils to deliver high quality frontline services?

Hilton Bournemouth

The litany of local government financial failures – Slough, Thurrock, Woking – is only deepening. While failures of corporate governance, accountability and scrutiny have played a part in these separate calamities, the inherently broken system of our local government finances remains the ultimate culprit for encouraging the behaviours and mindsets.The fear is that there may well be a longer tail of councils, that have been swept up into casino finances for the sake of keeping the show on the road or whose population and service pressures will make them financially unviable.Our panel fringes will ask the uncomfortable home truths around local government finance and canvass views for reform.Given the scale of the problem, could this not also be an opportunity to unleash the straitjacket and usher in an age of local fiscal freedoms that would help rid the UK of its unenviable reputation as far and away the most centralised tax system in the developed world? Indeed, could fiscal reform at local level enable top-performing councils to place renewed emphasis on innovation in delivering and financing high-quality and responsive public services?Please join us to debate the future of local public finances - in the Phoxtrott Room, Hilton Bournemouth, Monday 25 September from 8.00 to 9.00 a.m. Refreshments will be provided.Speakers will include:<ul><li>Cllr Bridget Smith, leader South Cambridgeshire District Council</li><li>Cllr Chris White, leader, St Albans City &amp; District Council</li><li>Iain Murray, director of public financial management, CIPFA</li><li>Justin Galliford, CEO, The Norse Group</li><li>Chris Smith, editor, Public Finance magazine</li></ul>

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