Peers have called for greater recognition of district councils in combined county authorities (CCAs).
An amendment to give lower-tier councils voting rights on CCAs was put forward by former Lib Dem minister Lord Foster as the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill was debated in the House of Lords.
Lord Foster said ‘uncertainty’ hung over districts as to what powers they would have.
Former leader of Kirklees MBC and fellow Lib Dem, Baroness Pinnock, went further, saying it was ‘insulting’ that districts were ‘put in the same category as local business groups, chambers of trade or trade union bodies’.
Baroness Hayman, a former Labour minister, added: ‘It is crystal clear that the model is very problematic, and that we need a proper discussion about the role and rights of district councils because I honestly think that the model strips them of powers.
‘They should not be seen just as a stakeholder – a secondary authority that does not have a say in such matters.’
However, the amendment was rejected by deputy leader of the House of Lords, Lord Howe, who said denying them a vote ‘removes the risk of one or two district councils vetoing the wishes of the great majority for devolution’.
Lord Howe said districts ‘can have a voice’ and stressed ‘we are not taking away district council powers’.
He added: ‘We expect the upper-tier local authorities we are agreeing devolution deals with to work with district councils to deliver the powers most effectively being provided.
‘In discussions thus far, we have been pleased to see collaboration of the kind I have mentioned.’
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
