Localis thinktank have published a new report, supported by South East Councils and South East Employers.
Restoration and Resilience: Building Capacity and Capability to Deliver Local Services in the South East covers issues including workforce challenges, capacity building, and delivering local services.
The report argues that strategic capacity building, multi-tier partnership working and devolution that builds on the region’s strengths would help to save local services from the brink of crisis.
The following speakers took part in our joint report launch and reception last night in Westminster:
- Baroness Dr (Sharon) Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Cllr Nick Adams-King, Leader, Hampshire County Council
- Ruth Adams, Chief Executive, South East Employers
- Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive, Localis (moderator)
- Kevin Gibbs, Executive Director of Communities, Bracknell Forest Council
We were also joined by South East APPG and Defence Select Committee Chair Tan Dhesi MP (Slough).
The South East of England, often perceived as a beacon of affluence and economic success, presents a paradoxical challenge to policymakers. Beneath its reputation as a prosperous and “overheated” economic hub lie stark inequalities and financial pressures that are increasingly testing the resilience of local governance.
A decade of austerity has eroded the capacity of councils to deliver dependable services, with many resorting to minimum statutory provision to survive. Amid this backdrop, the need for a nuanced devolution and policy framework that addresses the South East’s diverse and complex realities has never been greater.
Restoration and resilience examines the critical challenges facing local authorities in the South East and advocates for targeted strategies that align with the region’s unique needs. By exploring approaches to capacity-building, collaborative governance, and tailored devolution, it sets out a roadmap for sustainable service delivery and regional renewal.
The research underscores the importance of empowering councils with enhanced fiscal powers, data-driven decision-making capabilities, and robust partnerships to mitigate disparities and foster resilience.
This work seeks to provide a foundation for informed, strategic interventions that can transform the region and its constituent local authorities into a model of sustainable and equitable governance.
Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive, Localis thinktank said:
“The South East is a vital economic engine for the UK, but its local government system is under severe strain.
“We need urgent action in the forthcoming finance settlement and longer-term Comprehensive Spending Review settlement to ensure that councils across the South East region have the resources and tools to deliver essential services and drive economic growth and realise the national missions at the level of place.”
Sean McKee, Director, South East Councils, said:
“As ministers ponder structural matters for the South East like devolving powers and council sizes, an additional, crucial issue requiring dedicated focus is the local government workforce.
“Government is eager to pursue national missions to foster economic growth and bring social benefit. However, delivering those missions at the local level will require an adequate, skilled cohort of council staff on a range of services.
“The current delivery framework has limits and gaps in several service areas, these need to be addressed before any new responsibilities are bestowed.
“This report offers a timely spotlight on the regional council workforce, noting concerns around retention and recruitment, but also commenting and questioning the how, what, and why, related to enabling the South East region to be part of government’s quest for national renewal.”
Ruth Adams, Chief Executive, South East Councils, said:
“The South East has always been a vibrant and enterprising place and our councils reflect this, and are ambitious to see increased capacity and capability to deliver their ambitions for the region.
“Recruitment and retention of staff together with developing a highly-skilled workforce is a priority for councils and as the regional employers’ organisation for the South East, we are pleased to support this report and to shine a light on these crucial issues.”
Notes
- South East Councils (SEC) is a voluntary association with most councils in the South East region as members.
- SEC is available via email on .
- South East Employers is one of the nine regional employers’ organisations which represent the interests of local authorities and public sector bodies in England.
- Localis thinktank is an independent, not-for-profit think tank, established in 2001, that promotes neo-localist ideas.
