Newly elected Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Chair of the Local Government Association (LGA), has urged the next Prime Minister to commit to “real devolution”, placing decision-making power as close as possible to local communities across England.
Speaking at the opening of the LGA Annual Conference in Bournemouth, Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, who also serves as Leader of Bury Council, set out a clear vision for a stronger partnership between central and local government. He emphasised that councils stand ready to play a pivotal role in delivering long-term national priorities, provided they are given the authority and resources to do so.
In his speech, Cllr O’Brien said:
“For the next Prime Minister to build a lasting future, it must be local. Confidence in delivery – and in our democracy – depends on every resident feeling the benefit of decisions made closer to home.
"Devolution must reach every part of the country, and it must be real devolution – power at the level as nearest as possible to the communities it affects. National government can only deliver if we have strong local government. It is the only way they can deliver on its priorities such as growth, health, housing and giving people every opportunity to thrive where they live.
"Councils are serving their communities every single day. Government needs councils to keep local high streets and town centres alive; to get local transport links right; to help ensure everyone has a safe place to live; to make sure parents have good schools to send their children to; to keep our vulnerable adults and children safe from harm and to help people gain the skills they need to find a job.
"Now is the time for our next Prime Minister to truly recognise local government as an equal partner for the future and genuinely empower councils and their communities to help make change happen. National government will find no stronger partner than local government.”
Alongside the speech, the LGA launched its new position paper, Building lasting futures locally, outlining what councils want delivered by the time of the next General Election.
The paper sets out a number of priority areas where local authorities are seeking reform, investment and greater autonomy:
1. SEND Reform and Education Confidence
Councils are calling for urgent legislation to overhaul Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. This includes writing off high-needs deficits by March 2028 to restore financial stability and improve outcomes for children and families.
2. Youth Pathways and Economic Opportunity
To improve prospects for young people, the LGA is proposing a dedicated, place-based Youth Pathways Service. This would empower local and strategic authorities to connect 16–24-year-olds with jobs, training and support tailored to local labour markets.
3. Housing and Homelessness Prevention
With temporary accommodation costs continuing to rise, councils want greater financial support to prevent homelessness and deliver a renewed council housebuilding programme. The LGA also advocates a coordinated national and regional approach to housing allocation – particularly for vulnerable groups – to ease pressures and improve value for money.
4. Safer, Stronger Communities
Investment in Community Safety Partnerships is another key ask, aimed at reducing pressure on policing and the justice system while tackling misinformation, discrimination and social tensions at a local level.
5. Long-Term Social Care Reform
The LGA is urging cross-party agreement on sustainable funding for adult social care. Councils also want a more formal role in neighbourhood health systems, with shared accountability and investment to deliver integrated, place-based care.
A Defining Moment for Devolution
For public sector leaders, the message from Cllr Eamonn O’Brien is clear: councils are ready to deliver national priorities, from economic growth to housing and health, but only if devolution goes further and deeper.
As the UK approaches its next General Election, the debate around local autonomy, funding and accountability is set to intensify. The LGA’s proposals signal a growing determination within local government to move beyond incremental reform towards a more fundamental shift in how the country is governed.
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