Lambert - devolve power to local people

Labour Councillor for West Heywood Colin Lambert has responded to the Government White Paper on Local Communities. The paper sets out new proposals to significantly strengthen leadership and devolve power to local government as well as providing a major expansion of opportunities for local people to influence local decision-making and improve their lives.

Councillor Lambert said: "Fit this in with the Rochdale proposal to devolve powers to Townships and we could really see a radical change in how we deal with our issues which concern local residents".

"We should consult local people on expanding neighbourhood management, developing neighbourhood charters setting out local standards and priorities and give locally elected councillors direct control on budgets to deal with local issues directly.

"We need more local management of community facilities free of central control Councillors must be free to speak on all issues of concern to their community including planning and licensing

He continued: "Local Government still determines the quality of our everyday lives - the schools we attend, the cleanliness of our streets and safety of our neighbourhoods, the health of our families, the ease with which we can travel and the leisure and sport facilities we enjoy.

"We need a new contract between people and councils which will restore faith in the democratic process.

"People need to feel they own their communities and that they are listened to. There could be more community management of local assets and local ownership of local assets.

"We need to be able to introduce local byelaws to deal with particular localised issues and these needs to be enforced.

"Let's debate the proposals and let's make the most of the opportunity before us."