Neighbourhood governance will bring about community cohesion

30 August 2006

Sir Jeremy Beecham, leader of the Local Government Association Labour Group, has claimed that devolving power to neighbourhoods and parishes could empower extremist groups like the BNP. He told LGC: There¹s a potential downside to neighbourhoods. If you create structures that could be dominated by certain groups you might find you have less cohesion, not more.

NALC RESPONSE:

NALC as the national body representing parish and town councils, supports and endorses anti-discrimination policies implemented by all tiers of local government. (Neighbourhood governance, LGC, 24 August).

Contrary to claims made by Sir Jeremy Beecham, leader of the LGA Labour Group, the National Association believes firmly that in times when people are feeling more remote from the levers of power and influence in their communities, it is extremely important that neighbourhood and community governance in urban areas and rural areas, especially the future potential of the creation of parish councils in London, are fully explored.

It is only by giving local people a real voice and degree of control over the way services and functions are provided to them that whole communities will feel empowered and connected to local, regional and national governance.

If there are real opportunities and power at the very local level then the majority of that community will become more engaged with the mainstream democratic process. The key principle must be to empower communities. Restricting democracy because there is a risk of the wrong people being elected is not the way forward.

Cllr Ken Cleary
Chairman
NALC