John Fuller
Devolution is back on the table
It's time to continue building strong partnerships across the economic, real-life geographies around which the Government can devolve serious influence on housing, transport, skills, employment, health and much more, says Cllr John Fuller.
Devolution must back our success in delivery
The pandemic has proved again that bigger Government is not always better, says John Fuller. 'We have to celebrate the differences across our towns and cities, connecting and firing up engines of growth that have so far missed out from devolution'.
Looking after communities - it's what we do
District councils are supporting their communities and will be on the frontline of rebuilding the economy, but they cannot do this on fresh air. Cllr John Fuller calls for clarity on funding.
Working across boundaries to build better lives and stronger economies
With a Budget and the devolution White Paper round the corner, residents now need the convening, enabling and leadership role offered by districts, says Cllr John Fuller.
Getting districts ‘match fit’ for the global stage
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) annual conference in Warwick will provide a golden opportunity to shape our post-Brexit future, says Cllr John Fuller.
The stage is set for districts to demonstrate their key role
We hope ministers take away the message from conference next month that it is districts, backed by long-term sustainable funding, who are best placed to turn the new decade into the roaring twenties, says Cllr John Fuller.
A solid financial result
The annoucement of £3.5bn for councils in the Spending Round was a solid result for districts, with many asks being met, says Cllr John Fuller. For the moment, he is focused on making the case for establishing a stable financial future.
Transforming towns
Councils looking for an example of how to transform their towns into vibrant areas for the 21st century can draw a great deal of inspiration from Roeselare, a town of 60,000 people in Belgium.
Rebalancing the planning relationship
John Fuller is looking forward to seeing if housing minister Kit Malthouse's hints translate into solutions contained in the expected accelerated planning Green Paper.
Districts are ideally placed to shape the towns of tomorrow
As well as re-purposing town centres to create place-based experiences, district councils must also look to the future and the key role of innovation and technology, says Cllr John Fuller.
Don't ignore the work of the districts on social prescribing
When announcing new social prescribers the Government ignored the progress being made in district councils and has created a parallel competing bureaucracy, says Cllr John Fuller.
Spending Review must reward the importance of districts
In a post-Brexit world it will be vital to refocus on the importance of district councils in supporting residents and local economies, says John Fuller
Budget brought welcome support to district economies
The Budget brought welcome support to district economies, but we will need to look closely at the final Letwin review to ensure council's negotiating power on delivering homes is not bogged down in the need for primary legislation, says John Fuller
Government must commit to the long term future of NHB
Cllr John Fuller calls for powerful incentives to build more homes, develop more business parks and invest in modern infrastructure.
Districts' ability to invest in infrastructure is curtailed by borrowing caps
Cllr John Fuller argues for a new funding approach in the forthcoming spending review that retains current incentives as well as including a prevention precept.
Districts are the democratic gatekeepers to transformation
John Fuller on a new transformation toolkit launched by the District Councils' Network.
We need a level playing field between councils and developers
The Government’s recent launch of its revised strategy to tackle the housing crisis was well reported in the media, as were councils’ frustrations in their lack of powers to help build more homes people deserve.
The role of districts in social care cannot be overstated
District councils across England are focused on improving lives and solving problems, writes Cllr John Fuller
District voices are being heard in the transformation debate
Cllr John Fuller believes district calls for transformation to be driven by bottom up solutions are filtering through to parliamentary debate.
Housing is a national priority - don't discourage districts
Cllr John Fuller makes an impassioned plea to the Government not to reduce the new homes bonus, warning it would prevent planning authorities from playing their role in the Government's housebuilding agenda.