Hazel Blears has revealed her plans to re-invigorate local democracy in the local government White Paper.
The key messages are aimed at building communities and empowering citizens, the communities and local government secretary told The MJ.
Ms Blears said the 2006 White Paper had ‘devolved a huge amount of power from Whitehall to councils' and now it was ‘absolutely essential' to devolve power to people.
Plans to push councils to go for directly elected mayors – which have featured heavily in previous local government white papers – have been given an incentive. Mayors would chair the local strategic partnership and be the new crime and policing representative for their areas.
The CLG also plans to consult on:
l cutting the threshold for a mayoral referendum from 5% of the population
l allowing online petitioning for mayors
l removing the 10-year time limit between referendums
Local Government Association chairman Sir Simon Milton welcomed the extra powers for mayors, but added: ‘Any extra powers handed to mayors should be extended to all local councils, regardless of their structure or make-up.'
Officers will face more scrutiny, with plans to allow local people to question them in regular public hearings. The CLG also plans a consultation on plans for a ‘right to petition to hold local officers to account'.
Primary Care Trusts, which already face council scrutiny, are encouraged to make stronger partnerships with local authorities and councils will act as community advocates for petitions to the trusts.
Reacting to the White Paper, Liberal Democrat local government spokeswoman Julia Goldsworthy said: 'There is nothing to be excited about here. Many councils are way ahead in implementing many of these measures and the Government is merely playing a poor game of catch up.'
'Why is there no duty to devolve placed n the Government? Councils should be given control over their own finances so that they are no longer dependent on Whitehall handouts.'
