Londoners should have a chance of local neighbourhood democracy

February 2006

NALC's response to the Commission on London Governance's report 'A New Settlement for London'

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) today expressed disappointment and surprise at the content of the Commission on London Governance's report "A New settlement for London", particularly its rejection of urban parishes.

NALC believes that certain urban communities, including those in London suffer from a democratic deficit in key decision-making over service delivery that effects their daily lives. Some urban areas like Bradford, York, Birmingham, Hartlepool, Stockport, Bolton and Leeds are recognising this problem and as a result are creating a neighbourhood tier of local government, namely parish and town councils.

This disappointment is further re-inforced, as the Government, The Mayor of London and Association of London Government (ALG) have all supported the concept of parish and town councils in London. In the Government's 10 Year Vision paper and its post election commitments, there is a call for "increase opportunities for communities to set up parish and town councils - including removing the barrier on urban parishes in London". The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone has suggested that the structure of London governance needs to include a more local community level of democracy. Cllr Sir Robin Wales, chairman of ALG, said: "The move to permit urban parishes in London will help increase democratic opportunities at the neighbourhood level."

Michael Green, NALC's policy and parliamentary affairs manager said: "We are disappointed the Commission has ignored the over-whelming evidence provided on the benefits of community governance for London. We are particularly surprised at the very cliqued arguments about "Nimbyism" and "turf wars" used in attempting to justify their opposition".

NALC are also dismayed at the statement, "there is no convincing case, nor actual demand for urban parishes". Mr Green continued: "We had hoped the Commission would look beyond its own vested interests of representing London Boroughs and look at the very compelling case, now accepted at the heart of Government, that devolution does not stop at the principal town hall."

John Findlay, chief executive of NALC, added: "The forthcoming White Paper on local government will confirm the case for urban parishes, which has already been made and accepted, it is unfortunate the Commission chose not to recognise the tide or opinion running for community engagement and thus lost a valuable opportunity to shape real local governance in London.

Notes for editors

For more information, please contact the NALC press office on 020 7290 0308