New Neighbourhood Guarantee Aims To Improve Local Services

Communities across England are set to see changes to local public services under a new government-backed “Neighbourhood Guarantee”, recently announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The proposals aim to establish clearer expectations around local services, including cleaner streets, repaired potholes and improvements to community spaces and high streets. Communities will also be able to track progress through published data on a new Local Outcomes Framework platform.

Alongside the guarantee, the government announced a wider package of reforms focused on community empowerment, local service delivery and regional growth.

New Community Power Pilots will launch in up to 25 areas, bringing together councils, residents and community organisations to co-design services such as youth provision, community safety initiatives and community facilities.

The government also confirmed further action aimed at tackling profiteering in children’s social care placements, with ministers stating they could introduce profit caps for private providers if required, subject to consultation.

Additional measures include new powers for councils to manage the make-up of local high streets, including restricting concentrations of vape shops and gambling premises, alongside stronger powers to bring empty commercial properties back into use.

Mayoral authorities are also set to receive additional powers, including greater control over local transport schemes to support the delivery of projects such as tram networks and other public transport infrastructure.

The announcement builds on wider government devolution and community empowerment reforms, including the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act and the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme.

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, said:

It is encouraging to see villages included alongside towns and cities within the government’s Neighbourhood Guarantee proposals. Strong local services and empowered communities are vital in all places, and it will be important that rural areas are fully considered within future delivery and funding arrangements, so residents are not disadvantaged by geography. Everyone, everywhere should be able to access the services and opportunities they need to thrive.