Preface

This article explores the immense power, influence and reach of Local authorities through Statutory Duties, Discretionary Powers and the Agency of its connections. With our article, "The Leadership Dividend: How Local Authority Economic Power Can Deliver Net Zero and Resilient Prosperity", we conclude that the power, influence, reach and economic leverage of local authorities are probably the only way the UK can achieve it's obligations under the Paris 2015 Accord to limit global increases in temperature to +1.5C

We want your input into designing a Climate Statutory Duty for Local Authorities and Public Bodies that, once enacted into law, would drive achievement.

Once you have read these articles, please complete Question 1 and Question 2 on page "Shaping the Climate Statutory Duty" .

Your input will help design a law that will

1. Require action of local authorities to use their agency (as you define in Question 1)
2. To Implement actions on Climate Change (as you define in Question 2 - see also our article, "Tackling Climate Change: A Holistic Framework for Action")

Our future is in our collectives hands to please help us define that future by responding to the questions on page "Shaping the Climate Statutory Duty"

Introduction

in the UK possess substantial, multifaceted power to shape outcomes across society, economy, and the environment. As democratically accountable institutions with statutory responsibilities and discretionary freedoms, they have unique agency to influence behaviour, infrastructure, investment, and social norms at the local level.

This article explores the full spectrum of that power—from their legal duties and policy levers to their broader capacity for leadership and coordination. It invites readers to consider how a proposed Climate Statutory Duty for local authorities could harness this power to accelerate the UK’s path to net zero and long-term resilience.

Imagining a better future

Imagine a world where every individual and every business consciously worked toward zero carbon emissions — with the shared ambition of staying within the 1.5°C Paris Agreement threshold.

Such a transformation would deliver a healthier, safer, and more resilient society for all, preserving the natural systems that sustain us.

But this raises the crucial question: who can mobilise every person and business toward that vision?

I argue that local authorities are uniquely placed to be the key agents of change. They have a direct, place-based relationship with every resident and enterprise in their area. They are connected to central government and public services, and operate in networks that include suppliers, investors, landowners, civil society and beyond.

This piece explores the full extent of local government power, reach, and influence — before asking what climate breakdown requires of these vital democratic institutions.

The Economic Power of Local Authorities

Local authorities in the UK hold extraordinary economic leverage. Individually and collectively, they can influence how people live, travel, build, and buy — shaping both local markets and social norms.

When considered as a whole, the scale is striking:

As economic actors, councils are not just administrators — they are market shapers. Their spending and decisions ripple out across supply chains, local economies, and social priorities.

For a deeper dive into this potential, see “The Leadership Dividend: How Local Authority Economic Power Can Deliver Net Zero and Resilient Prosperity.”

So local authorities have immense economic power but let's put this into perspective and explore their reach.

• What are their legal obligations?
• What else can they legitimately grapple with? and,
• What is their agency and influence?

🧾 Statutory Duties — The Non-Negotiables

Statutory duties are the legal responsibilities that local authorities must fulfil. These are defined in legislation and form the backbone of public service delivery — from safeguarding vulnerable children to ensuring clean streets and collecting waste.

Area	Duty	Legal Basis
Children’s Services	Protect and promote the welfare of children	Children Act 1989, 2004
Adult Social Care	Assess and meet eligible care needs for adults	Care Act 2014
Public Health	Deliver services to improve health and reduce inequalities	Health and Social Care Act 2012
Housing	Prevent homelessness, ensure housing standards	Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Education	Provide access to schooling and ensure attendance	Education Acts 1996, 2002, 2011
Environmental Health	Monitor pollution and public health risks	Environmental Protection Act 1990, Public Health Acts
Planning	Make Local Plans, control development	Town and Country Planning Act 1990; PCPA 2004
Licensing	Manage alcohol, gambling, taxi and business licences	Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005
Civil Protection	Prepare and respond to local emergencies	Civil Contingencies Act 2004
Pensions	Administer the Local Government Pension Scheme	Public Service Pensions Act 2013; LGPS Regulations

🌱 Discretionary Powers — Where Innovation Lives

Discretionary powers enable councils to go beyond the statutory minimum — to shape local priorities, champion local values, and lead change.

These powers often underpin the most visible, loved, and innovative aspects of local government, including environmental leadership and community regeneration.

Area	Discretionary Action	Legal Basis
Culture & Leisure	Operate parks, libraries, museums, and community venues	Local Government Act 1972
Climate Action	Declare climate emergencies, lead net-zero strategies	Localism Act 2011
Transport Initiatives	Support active travel, subsidise bus services	Transport Act 1985
Youth & Community	Run youth services, issue local grants	Education and Inspections Act 2006
Affordable Housing	Build or invest in non-statutory housing schemes	Housing Acts
Economic Development	Support businesses, develop enterprise zones	Local Government Act 2000
Neighbourhood Planning	Help communities develop local plans	Localism Act 2011
Environmental Projects	Promote rewilding, tree planting, biodiversity efforts	Environment Act 2021

🕸️ Agency — The Power to Influence and Connect

A local authority’s agency goes beyond duties and powers — it’s about its ability to lead, connect, and drive change across systems. Councils are not just service providers; they are convenors, employers, storytellers, and democratic institutions.

Here are five dimensions of that agency:

Type of Agency	What It Enables	Category
Legal & Political	Make local rules, enforce standards, use general powers	Governance & Legal Duties
Economic	Shape local markets through procurement, investment, and land use	Economy & Regeneration
Relational	Build cross-sector partnerships and collaborate across institutions	Community & Partnerships
Moral & Narrative	Declare priorities, lead local conversations, embody public values	Leadership & Values
Systemic	Coordinate across policy silos to solve complex challenges	Governance & Strategy

Councils don’t just deliver change — they can orchestrate it.

🧠 Conclusion: Building the Foundations for Local Climate Leadership

So, local authorities already hold the legal mandates, economic levers, and democratic legitimacy to lead on climate action. But without a clear statutory duty to act—and without unlocking the full potential of their agency—the UK risks missing out on its most powerful climate delivery mechanism.

The economic power of this influence of even a small local authority is worth around £15Bn even for a small local authority like Windsor & Maidenhead, and is discussed in our article, "The Leadership Dividend: How Local Authority Economic Power Can Deliver Net Zero and Resilient Prosperity".

Imagine what power your local authority has if only we could influence it.

This article is an open invitation to co-create a bold and practical vision for a Climate Statutory Duty—one that aligns legal responsibility with climate necessity, and empowers councils to protect communities, transform places, and drive a just transition.

🤝 Call for Collaboration: Help Shape the Climate Statutory Duty

We believe the full power of local authorities—spanning statutory functions, discretionary capabilities, and real-world agency—must be mobilised to meet the climate challenge.

We’re inviting practitioners, policymakers, community leaders, and citizens to reflect on and respond to this key question:

Question 1: How would you envision a Climate Statutory Duty harnessing the full spectrum of a local authority’s influence—including service delivery, regulatory oversight, community engagement, economic development, spatial planning, infrastructure management, and beyond—to achieve the maximum impact on reaching national net-zero emissions?

Please also highlight any current hurdles, barriers or legal constraints that need to be addressed to fully unlock this potential.

Your insights will help shape the next phase of this work and build a stronger case for national policy that truly empowers local action.

🔄 Next Stage in the Workflow: Defining What a Climate Statutory Duty Should Do

Once we understand the full extent of local authority power, we must discuss and respond to the question: what should a Climate Statutory Duty require or enable councils to do? - Question 1

This next phase in the workflow focuses on defining the critical issues that a Climate Statutory Duty must address to drive transformative climate action at the local level. 

Cllr. Wisdom Da Costa

Wisdom’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he is an Accountant, Corporate Treasurer, Politician, Activist locally and with Climate Change. He has spent time as a Trustee of a number of different DB, DC and LGPS Funds and currently on the Commercial Advisory Board of the Local Government Association. He is a Councillor in Windsor at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.