Lyons Inquiry:
Lyons Inquiry to advise Government on the implications of Barker, Leitch and Eddington for local government
Lyons Inquiry Press Notice: 6 December 2006
The Chancellor today announced that he and Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, have asked Sir Michael Lyons to consider the implications for local government of the Eddington report on transport, the Barker report on planning and the Leitch review on skills in the final report from his Inquiry into the role, function and funding of local government, and to make appropriate recommendations to government. This will mean a short extension to Sir Michael's Inquiry.
Sir Michael said:
"I welcome this new opportunity to reflect on the recommendations contained within the Eddington, Leitch and Barker Reviews. Taken together these three reviews represent a significant cluster of thinking and recommendations on improving economic performance at a sub-national level. Economic prosperity is a central theme to my Inquiry and this extension puts me in a unique position to ensure that my final recommendations reflect the latest thinking in this field, as well as ensuring that the recommendations from these reviews enable local government to make the most powerful and effective contribution to future economic prosperity and infrastructure. I was on course to complete my Inquiry in December, but look forward to publishing my report around the time of the budget, which provides real potential to influence the Comprehensive Spending Review."
Sir Michael will also use this opportunity to provide further thoughts on the recent local government white paper and to further refine and polish his recommendations in his final report, which he will publish around the time of the Budget 2007.
Sir Michael intends to publish a short discussion document on 11 December 2006 seeking views on the key areas in which the recommendations of the above reviews have implications for local government. Responses to this discussion document will feed into a series of expert round-table discussions to be held in the New Year. Full details of this additional work will be available shortly on the Lyons Inquiry website.
Tony Travers, Director, Greater London Group, London School of Economics said:
"It is common sense to ask the Lyons Inquiry to take the account of the output of the Eddington, Barker and Leitch reports. Eddington and Barker, in particular, have said interesting things about local government structures, powers and funding. There are clear links between each of these reports and the others - and, indeed, with the recent Local Government White Paper."
Chris Leslie, Director, New Local Government Network said:
"The extension of Sir Michael Lyons's Inquiry until Spring 2007 in order to pull together the recommendations in the Barker, Eddington and Leitch reports and the local Government White Paper is a welcome opportunity to ensure consistent and comprehensive reform to ensure consistent and comprehensive reform, to enhance the leadership role of local authorities across all these areas of public service. We hope that Lyons will use this extra consultation phase in January to explore how greater devolution of resources to towns and cities is the key to spreading and incentivising economic prosperity."
Notes for Editors
- Sir Michael Lyons was commissioned in July 2004 by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor to make recommendations on how to reform the local government funding system by December 2005.
- On 20 September 2005 the remit of the Inquiry was extended to enable Sir Michael to consider issues of function before finalising his conclusions on funding.
- On 15 December 2005 Sir Michael issued a consultation paper and interim report. A further paper was published on 8th May 2006 entitled "National Prosperity, local choice and civic engagement".
- Copies of reports, submissions, research commissioned, and the terms of reference for the Inquiry, can be found on the Lyons Inquiry website.
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