Capital solution

Housing plays a huge role in meeting the needs of our local communities and - as Inside Housing's House Proud campaign demonstrates - affects all areas of social policy.

This is recognised in London Councils' Manifesto for Londoners, which was launched last week.

The manifesto calls for the devolution of powers and some budgets from quangos and central government to local authorities, to enable them to deliver better services, tailored to the individual needs of local people, at a lower cost.

Housing is one area that would benefit from such a shift and features prominently throughout the manifesto - not just in the housing section but in relation to child safety, worklessness and saving the environment by retrofitting homes.

Boroughs should be allowed to use money from existing assets, rents and receipts to pay for what their areas need most - be it repairs or new homes.

They should also have powers to design a set of common investment vehicles able to support investment by all public services.

Small steps towards housing devolution were taken in London last November when the city's mayor and the Homes and Communities Agency announced that Westminster, Hackney and Croydon councils would take part in a pilot scheme allowing them to decide on local investment priorities.

Obviously, this is a good start but in the run-up to the general election we must reach future decision-makers and show them how local control will save money and improve services.

Recognising and addressing the effect that housing has on other public services now will mean spending less on these services in future - while addressing the needs of local people along the way.

Steve Reed, executive member for housing, London Councils