Coalition plans a 'power shift' from Whitehall
New government business plans announced.
The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister published today (8 November 2010), for the first time, business plans for government departments that will set out in detail the work of the government for the next 4 years.
They mark the start of a major change in the way government works and will bring about a power shift in favour of increased government accountability directly to the public.
The Department for Communities and Local Government business plan sets out what the department will do to deliver its key priorities:
- decentralise power as far as possible
- reinvigorate accountability, democracy and participation
- increase transparency by letting people see how their money is being spent
- meet people’s housing aspirations
- put communities in charge of planning
DCLG Business Plan 2011 to 2015
Secretary of State Eric Pickles welcomed the publication saying:
“Our purpose is to make a radical redistribution of power and funding from government to local people to deliver what they want for their communities, transforming public services.
“Localism isn’t simply about giving power back to local government. We will push power downwards and outwards to the lowest possible level - so that power is held by local people. People want more for less in their services and we will free up councils to make that happen.
“We want people to have control over the decisions that affect them. Big Society encourages family and social responsibility plus civil liberties to create a stronger society. We want people to feel both free and powerful enough to help themselves and their own communities and be the building blocks of localism. They will be re-energised and empowered to enable ideas to flow from local people and enterprises.”