People in England to have more say and power over the running of local services
July 7, 2008
Proposals that are likely to give people in England more say and power over the running of local services are set to be unveiled. A government White Paper ‘Communities in Control’ has suggested that pilot schemes allow some council assets should be transferred to neighbourhood groups.
Community centres, land and swimming pools could perhaps be handed over under the programme, the BBC News has reported. It (the programme) also proposes to give petitions more weight and make it easier to introduce mayors, who are directly elected.
Some areas presently struggle to get requisite amount of signatures to trigger any mayoral referendum. However, the White Paper has suggested allowing names to be gathered online.
Organisers of local petitions, who are often ignored by councils, will be provided the opportunity of a full, comprehensive council debate on the issue in case their demands are initially not accepted.
The government is hoping that the reforms will cause local authorities to get more responsive to the public sentiments. Ministers have rejected a suggestion that long-serving councillors should be not more than five terms.
Comments
Got something to say?
