The CLG has reiterated its commitment to town and parish councils in the midst of unitary reorganisation. Parliamentary under secretary, Parmjit Dhanda, told delegates at the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) conference in London that they still had an important role to play. Delegates from Cheshire, Cornwall and Norfolk told Mr Dhanda they felt they were excluded from reorganisation in their counties. ‘Our commitment to parish and town councils is still 100%,' said Mr Dhanda. ‘It may not feel like it, because you are caught up in all the restructuring. But even in a unitary structure, the role of the parish and town council is absolutely crucial.' Mr Dhanda said town and parish councils were the ‘first tier of local government with a core role to play'. He added that recent announcements by the DCLG, including the launch of ‘community kitties' and local charters showed the Government's commitment to devolution. ‘We want to do more at a local level,' he added. ‘It's a direction of travel. If you feel there are shackles, then we are trying to loosen them.'
