Councils 'come to the rescue' as recession hits home » Local Government » 24dash.com

A new publication, 'Global Slowdown, Local Solutions: councils helping people and businesses', launched today, demonstrates how councils have reacted quickly and effectively to help local residents and firms to deal with the impact of the economic slowdown.

It also shows how councils are using new powers devolved from the Government and argues that the drive to localism has become even more urgent, if people are to be protected from the worst effects of the recession and the nation is to emerge from the downturn as quickly as possible.

Councils are doing a whole range of things to offer support. Examples given in the publication include:

• Wakefield Council, which is offering people at risk of repossession interest free loans to make sure they can stay in their own homes
• Lancashire County Council, which has identified over 500 people who weren’t claiming benefits to which they were entitled
• Leeds Council is offering debt advice and counselling for local families
• Westminster Council is freezing council tax to help people as they cope with higher food and fuel costs.
• East Sussex County Council is providing crisis advice to small firms.

Councillor Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the LGA, said: “The economic recession will touch almost everyone in the UK in some shape or form. At times of difficulty, it is councils that people can turn to when they need help or support. 

”Local authorities are at the centre of helping people, businesses and other groups through tough economic times ahead. When things go wrong, councils step in, both to help kick-start the economy when it hits rock bottom and to provide a safety net for people in need.

”This publication brings together examples of how the town hall can make a real difference to people’s lives.

“However, councils must have the tools to do the job properly. Councils are using new  powers passed down from central government and making things better for local people as a result.

"This drive to localism must continue if we are to protect people from the worst effects of an economic slowdown and make rapid progress towards recovery.

”It is clear that the slowdown is going to hit different places in different ways. Our response to the downturn must be tailored to local circumstance.

"And that is what councils are already showing they are best placed to do. In short, at a time of an economic downturn, localism and devolution become more, not less, important."