Conservatives
How are councils funded? More funding is devolved from Whitehall to regional authorities. Councils in Cambridgeshire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire East keep 100% of local growth in business rates. A further £30bn will be cut from public spending over the next two years.
What new powers do councils have? Cities that choose to have an elected mayor gain powers over economic development, transport and social care. The devolution deal for Greater Manchester, including a new mayor, is enshrined in law. Councils benefit from bespoke growth deals and Whitehall ringfencing is reduced, giving them more flexibility to support local businesses.
What about devolved nations? English MPs have a veto over matters only affecting England, while more powers are devolved to governments in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland – which benefits from implementation of the Smith Commission Agreement.
What does local democracy look like? There is more direct democracy. For example, referendums that allow residents to veto high council tax rises.
How do councils work with other local services? Councils are encouraged to integrate services between and within councils, for example by using the Better Care Fund. New regional adoption agencies work across local authority boundaries. Councils help manage land and buildings, keeping at least 10% of public land sales. They have to sell high-value council housing and use the proceeds to build more homes.
What about council tax? Average council tax bills in England have already fallen by 11% under the coalition government, and remain low.
Anything else? There are no more six-figure payoffs for public sector workers.
Read the Conservative manifesto
Labour
How are councils funded? An English Devolution Act transfers £30bn of funding to city and county regions, which retain 100% of additional business rates raised in their areas. Councils have multi-year budgets, and local public accounts committees ensure spending offers value for money. Public spending cuts continue, albeit at a lower rate than under the Conservatives.
What new powers do councils have? Councils gain control over local transport systems, skills, employment, housing and business support. They have the power to shape their high streets, for example by refusing planning permission for payday lenders or betting shops. There is a new English Regional Cabinet Committee.
What about devolved nations? As well as implementing the Smith Agreement, more powers over tax, welfare and jobs are devolved to Scotland, while Wales receives a fairer funding settlement.
What does local democracy look like? Under the English New Deal, individuals and communities have more say over how they are governed, the design of public services and the future of NHS services.
How do councils work with other local services? Neighbouring local authorities are encouraged to pool their funds and join up services. Councils commission some health and social care services and help enforce the national minimum wage, which will be £8 by October 2019. The council house financing system is reformed to allow for more affordable housebuilding. Local authorities are encouraged to work with police and probation services to identify those at risk of drifting into criminal activity, and with police and health services to combat the root causes of addiction.
What about council tax? There is a higher council tax on long-term empty homes.
Anything else? Digital technology is reforming public services, with quick online feedback services stimulating improvement.
Lib Dems
How are councils funded? Local authorities are encouraged to use crowdfunding and alternative finance models. Public spending cuts continue, albeit at a lower rate than under the Conservatives.
What new powers do councils have? Under “devolution on demand”, powers are devolved to councils or groups of councils. More economic decision-making is transferred to local areas, particularly in housing, infrastructure, skills, employment and transport – including the ability to introduce network-wide ticketing like in London. Councils are able to borrow money to build affordable housing and have full control of the right to buy. Youth custody budgets are devolved to local authorities.
What about devolved nations? Scotland receives powers as outlined in the Smith Commission and more powers are devolved to Wales.
What does local democracy look like? There are more neighbourhood, community and parish councils, as well as tenant management in social housing. Communities have stronger rights to run local services, for example first right to take over libraries under threat of closure. The single transferable vote is introduced in local government elections in England.
How do councils work with other local services? Public health remains within local government, and NHS and social care budgets will be pooled by 2018. Public health, adult social care and health objectives are combined into a national wellbeing framework for the NHS and local government. Local councils are able to add discount offers to the young person’s discount card.
What about council tax? Council tax is cut by £100 for 10 years for people who insulate their homes. Councils can levy up to 200% council tax on second homes, and do not have to hold local referendums on council tax changes.
Anything else? Local authorities extend separate food waste collections to at least 90% of homes by 2020. Digital by default services extend to local government. Public sector workers stop receiving pay cuts.
Greens
How are councils funded? Local authority budgets increase by £10bn a year. Councils set local business rates, which, along with council tax, are distributed between local authorities by a council-led commission. Councils can levy local taxes such as tourist, empty homes or supermarket taxes. They keep some of the taxes collected locally, such as income tax or VAT, and set their own fines and fees. They can borrow to invest in social housing, electricity and public transport.
What new powers do councils have? Local authorities have control over education and housing budgets and run public transport and other local services such as waste disposal, energy and food production, by using public and voluntary sector organisations. They have more power over local planning and procurement decisions, and control of the police, after police and crime commissioners are abolished.
What about devolved nations? The Welsh Assembly becomes a parliament with powers equal to the Scottish government. An assembly for Cornwall is introduced, with similar powers to the Welsh Assembly.
What does local democracy look like? A new voting system involves proportional representation. At least 20% of local voters can call for referendums on local government decisions.
How do councils work with other local services? Academies and free schools come under the remit of local authorities. The right to rent allows councils to help residents struggling with a mortgage, and the right to buy is abolished. Councils divest from fossil fuels, can insist that communal heating systems are implemented, and encourage social landlords to install solar panels. Local authorities deliver a £45bn programme to insulate 9m homes.
What about council tax? There are two additional council tax bands for more expensive homes, with higher rates for empty homes and lower rates for smaller homes. There is no cap to council tax rises and local authorities are not required to hold a council tax referendum. Eventually council tax and business rates will be replaced by land value tax.
Anything else? The City of London Corporation is abolished.
Read the Green party manifesto
Ukip
How are councils funded? This is unclear, but public spending is reduced with the shrinking of Westminster and the civil service. Councils cannot use speed cameras to raise revenue. Non-essential jobs are cut.
What new powers do councils have? A review of the statutory duties central government places on local government aims to reduce the burden on councils. Local authorities have new powers to regenerate coastal areas and limit the stakes on betting terminals.
What about devolved nations? The Barnett Formula is replaced with a system that results in substantial reductions in funding for Scotland. Scotland can offset this by making its own decisions about taxes and public spending cuts.
What does local democracy look like? Using referenda triggered by 5% of voters, local people have the final say on major planning decisions, such as out-of-town supermarket developments and wind turbines. A new proportional voting system is implemented and only British citizens can vote in a general election.
How do councils work with other local services? Partnerships are built to reduce costs, and health and social care is brought together under NHS control. Monitor and the Care Quality Commission are replaced with local inspectors, charged with scrutiny of health services. Local authorities work with parents, teachers, schools and nurseries to provide a childcare system, with a register of emergency providers. Councils are encouraged to prioritise local people in housing allocation, and must register the nationality of their tenants.
What about council tax? It is as low as possible. Those with homes that are empty for more than two years are charged 50% more council tax, except those in the armed forces.
Anything else? Weekly bin collections are reinstated and councils must offer 30 minutes free parking in town centres. Councillors’ allowances are cut and there is a limit to the number of highly paid council employees.
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