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Party Conference Fringe Events 2007
7.5 million votes – why rural matters
NALC and CRC fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference 2007, Tuesday 2nd October 2007
The National Association of Local Councils’ (NALC) and Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) welcomes the Conservative’s commitment to devolving power to rural local communities, through truly accountable neighbourhood bodies, and enabling the whole of local government to be freed up.
We have witnessed recently the impact of flooding and foot-and-mouth outbreak in rural England, but how effective is the rural vote with those in power? NALC and CRC believe that 7.5 million voters should not be ignored or marginalised and that Government should listen and act on their concerns around socio-economic and geographical matters.
Paul Goodman MP, shadow minister for community cohesion said: “Parish and town councils really are ‘on the ground’ organisations and they represent the views of their area. To devolve power effectively we have to be really serious about it.”
James Paice MP, shadow minister for rural affairs said: “We need to show we are serious about devolving power. When we want social housing we should say to the local body, housing trust or parish council, that they should decide.”
Dr Stuart Burgess, Rural Advocate and chair of CRC, said: “Rural people and their voices are important. Many issues, for example housing and post offices, can be dealt with at the local level.”
Cllr David Murkett, NALC, commented: “We need to support local councils are the tier closest to the people.”
The CRC outlined its findings on the representation of rural people at all levels and how the role of local councillors could be strengthened to bring decision-making closer to communities.
Delivering for Local Communities
NALC fringe event at the Labour Party Conference 2007, Wednesday 26th September 2007
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) welcomes the Government's commitment to devolving power to local communities, through truly accountable neighbourhood bodies, and enabling the whole of local government to be freed up.
NALC generally supports the measures related to parish and town councils in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill and believes that this will enable communities via their very local councils, the tier of government closest to the people, to co-ordinate action at a local level to tackle issues such as crime and social disorder, housing and planning.
Hazel Blears MP, secretary of state for DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government), said: "The Government really values the incredibly hard work parish and town councils do on behalf of their local communities on a daily basis. The people who represent their local citizens at this tier of local government have real dynamism which enables them to be excellent representatives of their communities."
She added: "The purpose of gaining power is to give that power away, so therefore the best decisions are made at the very local level."
While Cllr Ken Cleary, chairman of NALC, commented: "The National Association of Local Councils very much welcomes the Government's continuing support for parish and town councils. NALC have a strong belief that the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill and the 'Governance in Britain', green paper, will create a climate for parish and town councils to be better advocates and service deliverers for local communities."
7.5 million votes - why rural matters
NALC and CRC fringe event at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference 2007, Tuesday 18 September 2007
The National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) and Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) welcome the Liberal Democrats' commitment to devolving power to rural local communities, through truly accountable neighbourhood bodies, and enabling the whole of local government to be freed up.
NALC and the CRC believe that 7.5 million voters living in these communities should not be ignored or marginalised. The Government should listen and act on their concerns around socio-economic and geographical matters. If we look at the recent incidents of flooding and foot-and-mouth, how much influence did people on the ground actually have with the implementation of policy and service delivery?
Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat shadow local government minister said: "We want to give local councils much more say over the services they provide in their local area, and events like this are part of the education process".
Baroness Scott, Liberal Democrat peer, thought that: "There is a strong sense of community in rural areas. The provisions in the local government bill for parishing in rural areas are very much welcomed".
Dr Stuart Burgess, rural advocate and chair of CRC, said: "Despite huge steps forward in recent years, parish and town councils are under resourced, and under trained, but they are still able to make a huge difference in the communities which they serve".
Cllr Hazel Williams, NALC, commented: "With 150 new councils created since 1997, parish and town councils are one of the few growth areas of local government. This should continue further as people wish to exercise more influence over the services which effect their every day lives"
The CRC outlined its findings on the representation of rural people at all levels and how the role of local councillors could be strengthened to bring decision-making closer to communities.
Notes for Editors
1. The National Association of Local Councils is the national representative body for 8,500 parish and town councils throughout England. In all, there are over 85,000 parish and town councillors throughout England and Wales. These councillors, who serve electorates ranging from small rural communities to major cities, are all independently elected. The councils have powers to raise their own funds through council tax. Parish and town councils provide employment for over 25,000 staff while their annual expenditure exceeds £400 million. Together, they can be identified as the nation's single most influential grouping of grassroots opinion-formers. Over 15 million people live in communities served by 8,500 parish and town councils nationally - this represents up to 30% of the population. Over 150 new parish and town councils have been created since 1997.
For more information contact Alan Jones on 020 7290 0316, alan.jones@nalc.gov.uk, in the NALC communications office.
2. The Commission for Rural Communities is an independent government body established in October 2006. Its role is to provide well-informed, independent advice to government and ensure that policies reflect the real needs of people living and working in rural England, with a particular focus on tackling disadvantage and economic under-performance. For further information, visit: www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk At CRC, please contact Nick Milton on 07900 608349 or nick.milton@ruralcommunities.gov.uk or Chris Wynne-Davies on 01242 534070 or Chris.Wynne-Davies@ruralcommunities.gov.uk