Recommendation 4

As a starting principle, local authorities who most require prioritising within the Levelling Up policy should be allocated money through revenue to achieve objectives that are in line with their local circumstances and need, with the appropriate monitoring and expenditure in place. Local authorities must be given the flexibility to use allocated funds in the most effective way they can. Therefore, we recommend there is a change in approach across Government when it comes to funding for levelling up. The Department should move away from an overemphasis on bid and judgement- based funding pots which may impede effective local decision-making. (Paragraph 19) Competitive Funding