Rigid statutory demands, budget cuts, and lack of political choice are strangling local government innovation

Local Authorities have been having a difficult ride since the formation of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition in May 2010. As it potentially draws to a close, Cllr Tim Cheetham argues that the rigidity of statutoury guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government, cuts to Local Authority budgets, and a stifling lack of political choice for voters are each threatening to heighten already dangerous levels of political disengagement and strangle local government innovation.