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Anthony Mangnall on local insights and points of view central to work as an MP
The South Devon MP advocates the power of localism
Reporter:
Anthony Mangnall
19 Mar 2024 8:00 AM
Localism has been at the heart of much of my work as the Member of Parliament for South Devon. At its core, it holds the simple belief that local communities will always know what is best for their areas. Dictats, demands and lofty legislation from central Government and Whitehall can often miss the nuance and complexities on the ground.
It is for this reason that legislation must be careful and considerate of the major variabilities around the country, and also why Members of Parliament must be careful and responsible when it comes to debating and amending legislation.
This is why I have been so determined to create working groups in South Devon that meet regularly to discuss local and national matters. So far, I have multiple groups which cover fishing, farming, hospitality, tourism, education,policing, transport and social care. The purpose of these groups is to learn from one another and discuss common problems, but also to encourage greater cooperation and community engagement.
Thus far, these groups have helped to shape local and national policy. From a local level, we succeeded in temporarily reducing tax levels for the tourism and hospitality sector. Thanks to the fishing and farming groups of South Devon, we have removed unnecessary burdensome regulation. Within the social care circuit, we have madearguments that have been heard for more resources and engagement from NHS England and local authorities.
Within our policing group, we have created a new network of police hubs and opened up front desks in local towns. Finally, in transport, we have joined bus and train services together and enhanced local networks.
Nearly all of these changes have been done without funding from central government. In part because the funding has not been necessary, but also because facilitating engagement between local organisations and encouraging cooperation has been all that is needed to help improve some of our local services. It serves as an example of what can be achieved through working hard locally and bringing people together.
So, it is particularly welcome to see the fourth round of the Government’s Community Ownership Fund reopened for applications. This £150m fund is designed to encourage ownership of a community asset that might be at risk butwhich benefits residents. It might be that a renovation, repair or refurbishment is required for a group wanting to buy a community business or develop and preserve a community asset. All of this is to be welcomed as yet another step to empower local communities and sustain our local businesses, towns and villages.
South Devon has little cause to grumble when it comes to our high streets, as whether it be Totnes, Kingsbridge,Dartmouth, Brixham or Salcombe, we have remarkably active and vibrant high streets that are much loved and used. The Community Ownership Fund further offers further support, allowing residents to identify a local business or asset that is at risk and submit an application to the fund. This could be a bookshop, a library, a community space or building of local importance, all of which are eligible under the fund.
The success of the first three rounds has already paid enormous dividends to local communities and has helped to
breathe new life into towns, businesses and communities. Such an initiative is a welcome step and will help bring together local communities and encourage greater levels of volunteering and cooperation.
Whether it be through local working groups or funds encouraging community engagement, South Devon holds many of examples showing what can be done through the power of localism. If anything, it shows that the Government Does not need to legislate for great things to happen but to encourage, cultivate and incentivise.
I am hosting an open meeting at Great Parks Community Centre on Thursday March 21 from 6pm to 7pm for residents of the Totnes constituency to come along and talk about local and national issues. See more information on my website.
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