Sir Merrick Cockell has praised the role of councillors and the civic pride of communities responding to the riots and looting which hit parts of London, Birmingham, Manchester and other cities.
Writing exclusively for The MJ, the Local Government Association chairman says: ‘We should take considerable pride from way our communities have responded – with residents standing side by side with their local council to take pride in and responsibility for the places where they live.’
He also adds: ‘But, while we saw an abundance of civic pride to counterbalance the criminality, it is equally true to say that, in some areas, we witnessed a worrying detachment between local people and public authorities.’
