Has hyperlocalism’s time come? 

Author: Jonathan Owen, chief executive, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)

It is good to see some long overdue consideration of devolution beyond regions and mayors to the hyperlocal level.

An editorial in the Guardian newspaper recently expressed its view on hyperlocalism that communities needed more oomph. Reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the setting up of London’s only community council in Queen’s Park, it noted that the recent riots make the promotion of cohesion and inclusion at neighbourhood level all the more urgent. “Believers in democracy should take seriously the ambitions of those seeking to shift the levers of power over local services, closer to the communities that rely on them.”

As well as this piece in the Guardian, Simon Kaye, director of policy at the Reform think tank has been calling for "whole system devolution, where regional, local constituent authorities, and hyper-local institutions are all aligned behind a shared vision and a fully decentralised array of powers to deliver on it.... A genuinely useful evolution from the parish and town councils of today."

This draws on the think tank's recent devolution report titled “What powers where? Achieving the ‘devolution revolution", sponsored by Power to Change, which argues that “Kick-starting stronger regionalism is a necessary, but not a sufficient, solution for the challenges faced in England. Indeed, without specific efforts, there is a risk that this new ‘layer’ will reinforce a top-heavy system that continues to marginalise the very communities it aims to empower.” It calls for “local and hyper-local governance in England, with clear responsibilities and ways to effectively propose the drawing-down of powers from higher tiers when appropriate. For now, this smaller scale of local government is all but overlooked by the policy world."

But is this changing? Are think tanks, opinion formers, politicians and policy makers ready to think big locally?

A recent report by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) on the future of hyperlocal governance concluded “Hyperlocal governance has huge potential. It can give people a greater say in their areas, helping them determine and deliver what is needed in their neighbourhoods, and bring social benefits to communities as well.”

Encouragingly IPPR recognise the potential and merits of the existing parish council model, though highlighting issues with it. Most active in the sector would agree with this and are working to address some of those issues by encouraging people from all backgrounds to get involved, building capacity and professionalism, and encouraging councils to do more consistently to support and engage with their communities.

As a believer in democracy this year when half the world’s population goes to the polls, NALC hopes these discussions will inform the development of the new Government's approach. 

NALC has long argued for onward devolution and you can read more about our views on our website. 

We look forward to meeting colleagues at the forthcoming Local Government Association (LGA) and Party conferences to make this case and explore how we can work together to deliver hyperlocalism!