[cma-l] Wellbeing power is forgotten tool in tough economic times

[CMA-L]

Councils are permitted to do anything except raise tax to promote the
economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their area - but only
1 in 12 are using this power..  Contact your local authority today and
ask them to ensure that community media is recognised as a significant
contributor to neighbourhood well-being.  More below.

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Councils have not used a legal power that could help their area ride
out tough economic times, the Government warned today.

Local Government Minister John Healey, in a letter to council chiefs,
urged them to consider using this "wellbeing power" to support their
communities during the current economic climate.

New research published today highlights the low take-up of this legal
power. The wellbeing power is a general power of competence permitting
councils to do anything except raise tax to promote the economic,
social and environmental wellbeing of their area. However, while nine
out of ten councils are aware of the power, fewer than one in twelve
are using it.

Mr Healey said the power could be a key tool for councils to ride out
the economic downturn, using it, for example, as a legal cornerstone
to invest in improvements to the local area, attracting new businesses
and creating new jobs for residents.

As long as the council's actions are in the interest of local
wellbeing, the power is available to enable a wide range of actions -
saving councils time, avoiding complex legal procedures and cutting
red tape. Given to councils in 2000, this "power of first resort" can
save councils from checking through numerous different laws, and
enables them to focus on achieving their goals, unless it's
specifically prohibited by legislation.

Speaking at the County Council Networks conference today, John Healey said:

"Councils are already taking the lead helping their communities
through these tough economic times. But they aren't making the most of
this key tool.

"The wellbeing power could be used to tackle some of the very real
problems faced by communities during this economic downturn. Some
councils have shown the way, using it to drive investment in their
area, get local people into jobs or make savings by delivering more
efficient services. I'm determined that more of them see this
potential. That's why I am writing to all councils today highlighting
practical advice that will help them put this key tool to best use."

A new document for councils has also been published today which gives
countrywide examples of councils putting the Wellbeing power into
practice:-

* For example, Greenwich council used the power to tackle worklessness
in their area, creating an employment agency in support of the
existing community training agency.
* In Torbay the council founded a Development Agency using the
wellbeing power, which helped to boost tourism, economic development,
and the regeneration of its harbour.
* South Hams improved their waste disposal services by using the power
to partner with the county council. They created a new, more efficient
waste depot, which has delivered a more environmentally friendly,
cost-effective service for the area.
* Nottinghamshire County Council has reduced its carbon dioxide
emissions by using the Wellbeing Power to create a non-profit
renewable energy company.
* A joint agreement between North Tyneside and Newcastle City Council
was facilitated by the Wellbeing power and provided a whole new street
lighting infrastructure. The move helped to regenerate the local area,
restoring civic pride, improving house prices, attracting new
businesses and reducing crime.
* London Borough of Newham used the Wellbeing power as an opportunity
to invest in a partnership project with the local PCT. The Local
Finance Improvement Trust they created will build new premises and
provide social care services in three London authorities.
* Using the Wellbeing power the Royal Borough of Kensington and
Chelsea improved the safety of their local area. The council funded
the employment of fifteen additional Community Support Officers to
provide more uniformed presence on the streets, contributing to
reduced street crime.
* Wychavon District Council used the wellbeing power to take a main
role in the development of a community hospital and medical centre for
their local PCT.
* In Wakefield, families living on an estate blighted by crime and
drug-abuse were given a lifeline by the wellbeing power. It allowed
the houses to be bought by the Council without a lengthy Compulsory
Purchase Order process. The families were able to move away from the
area and get a fair price for their homes - and the Council was free
to redevelop the estate.

Notes to editors

1. The two reports were published today by the Department for
Communities and Local Government. The findings and recommendations in
the reports are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent
the views or proposed policies of CLG.

2. The document 'Evaluation of the take-up and use of the Well-Being
Power' finds that the use of the Well Being Power was limited over the
life of the evaluation as local authorities had a tendency to use more
specific powers to achieve their goals. While lawyers played a
critical role in encouraging or discouraging use of the Well Being
Power, awareness and understanding was highest amongst local authority
corporate officers and executive members and lowest amongst partners
and community and voluntary sector representatives. Different factors
regarding take-up included the capacity and capability of the local
authority and the strength of local partnership relationships

3. The document 'Practical use of the Well-Being Power' sets out how
the Power has been used, suggests ways to promote creative use, and
points to further information source. It features nine case studies in
relation to: social housing; a Development Agency; a waste transfer
station; wood-heat technology in schools; setting up an employment
agency; street lighting; formalising partnership arrangements with a
PCT; community policing; and a Community Hospital and medical centre.

4. Three reports providing more detailed findings on the Wellbeing
Power will be published simultaneously on the University of Birmingham
and University of West England websites:

5. The Well Being Power was introduced in the Local Government Act
2000 to increase local authorities' capability to act on behalf of
their areas. It allows principal local authorities in England and
Wales to do anything they consider likely to promote the economic,
social and environmental well-being of their area unless explicitly
prohibited elsewhere in legislation.

6. The power has since been extended to eligible Parish Councils by
last year's Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act. A
survey by Aberystwyth University found that 75 per cent of parish and
town councils were expecting to make use of the wellbeing power, once
it is in operation. Secondary legislation is being drawn up, in order
to bring it into operation later in 2008. Any parish or town council
can decide to use the power, if it meets criteria that are currently
being finalised.

News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news room