Hazel Blears has announced changes to the Widdecombe rules, which relax the restrictions for those public sector workers who want to stand as councillors. Under the current rules, only those earning less than £32,000 are allowed to hold public office. The new plans will see the political restrictions based on grade rather than a specific salary. Ms Blears said: ‘Whilst officers in certain senior posts will still be politically restricted, many more officers will be allowed to exercise their rights to be politically active if they choose.' Speaking at the LGA conference in Bournemouth last week, the communities secretary also told councillors the would have a ‘duty to promote democracy'. Ms Blears vowed to make money available to train council staff ‘in the basics of local democracy'. ‘These measures will make it clear that politics is not a dirty word, that councils are political entities and that councillors, with power on loan from local people are in charge.' Ms Blears also announced an extra £1.5m for 16 councils to deliver some of the toughest targets under LAAs. This is ‘from getting the local economy going to reducing air pollution'.
