Possible changes to the way Crawley is run is a wasted opportunity

11.56.49pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th Oct 2006

Liberal Democrats in Crawley have called the new government White Paper issued today on local government a wasted opportunity. Councillor Gordon Seekings, Liberal Democrat leader in Crawley, said "The White Paper does not offer a radical devolution of power or funding from Whitehall to Crawley and other Councils."

Continuing Gordon said "It has some constructive proposals, such as bye-law changes, which anyone with any sense will welcome. However most of the White Paper is about putting administrative convenience ahead of democratic renewal."

The White Paper does not introduce a Fair Voting System, essential for democratic renewal.

It is silent on abolishing the Council Tax and replacing it with a Local Income Tax, essential for fairness.

It won't return Business Rates to local control, essential if local democracy is to have the freedom of action to deliver for the community.

It fails to return central government or quango powers and budgets to the Town Halls, essential for putting democracy back into local government.

Gordon Seekings went on to say "There is plenty of motherhood and apple pie about this White Paper. The Government seems to have discovered 'localism' and decentralisation so we welcome their conversion to the idea - however we have to remain deeply sceptical of their real intentions."

Gordon finished by saying "Allowing Crawley and other Councils to change and introduce Bye-laws and fixed penalty notices without getting permission from the government is a real step forward. The system to make bye-laws is going to be made easier but will the powers to issue fixed penalty notices be extended beyond those already in the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005?"