Mark Whitehead 19 March 2018

Local councils prepare to lobby MPs for extra powers

Town and parish councils are calling for new powers to be handed to them following Brexit in what they see as the next stage in local government devolution.

The National Association of Local Councils says a 'community proofing' process should check which powers being returned from Brussels should be given to its members when the UK leaves the EU.

The demand is among several set out in in a report titled 'A Prospectus for Ultra-Localism' being presented to MPs tomorrow as part of NALC's annual Lobby Day.

It says the Localism Act should be revamped to allow its members more freedom to act independently and smaller councils should have a greater say over decisions that affect them.

The association argues that more parishes should be created in areas where they do not currently exist to raise the level of local decision-making.

It says the government's moratorium on extending the requirement for councils to conduct a referendum before they can increase charges to the community should be made permanent and wants towns and parishes to extend their sources of income to community shares, crowd funding, loans and charging for goods and services.

The move comes as small councils increasingly take responsibility for services mainly because bigger local authorities are no longer able to do so because of pressure on budgets.

A survey commissioned by NALC last year found nearly half had taken on responsibilities for maintaining the environment in the previous 12 months many had acquired extra duties including housing, planning, property management, transport, youth services and tourism.

The survey also found as many as one in five councils wanted to take on housing and planning, youth services, property management and other roles.

At the Lobby Day, NALC will also be pressing for action over the General Data Protection Regulations, due to take effect in May, which it fears will cost its members up to £3.5m if each one is forced to appoint a data protection officer.

Justin Griggs of NALC told LocalGov: 'Community councils need to be taken into account for new powers as part of the Brexit process - if we are going to put people back in control of their areas we need to do so at neighbourhood level.

'We want MPs and others to realise the potential of local communities and the prospectus for ultra-localism sets out a range of ways communities can help themselves to meet local needs.'

Read our feature on why smaller councils are taking on bigger roles in terms of responsibilities and delivering services.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Executive Director – Adult Social Care, Health & Wellbeing

Sefton Borough Council
£131,208 (Hay 1)
Lead with Purpose. Build on Excellence. Shape the Future of Health and Wellbeing in Sefton. Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recuriter: Sefton Borough Council

Strategic Finance Business Partners (five roles)

Nottingham City Council
up to £80k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Director of Finance (Strategy) – deputy S151

Nottingham City Council
up to £125k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner