Are parish councils a foundation of local democracy or a barrier to change? And how will the government’s plans for devolution affect them? | Dave Wilson
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Personally I think Parish Councils are a good thing they have a more hands on approach to local issues & resident's needs simply because they are 'local'
Our parish council is a disaster, and I don't know how we can change things. Our precept went up by 96% last year, and is forecast to rise by another 75% this year. Its a disaster- no curbs and controls.
That depends on people coming forward to work on them and paying attention by voting and attending meetings. People would rather sit at home and whine on the internet.
Quite agree. The former chairman of our PC wanted to ban me from meetings after I pointed out its illegality over two years in failing to provide minutes of its meetings. It had to be pointed out to him that as I was both a journalist and a resident he had no power to do so. An incestuous group.
Agree. Our parish council is hopeless and clueless in equal measures. Their local plan is ridiculous and fails to meet the needs of the village on every conceivable point.
I guess it's that tension between central govt having less idea about the needs of a specific locality ...
Rather like accountants who look at big picture see the profit loss and overlook the nuances of their decisions with often devastating consequences to many
People don't seem to recognise that parish councils have *very* little power. Even on the most minor local planning issue, they can only make recommendations to the District planning authority where decisions are made.
The process of decision making at those very low levels of democracy has remained a little feudal with little accountability, yes. Do you think there may be a role for (reformed and empowered) community boards in providing oversight and making PCs accountable?
For every good councillor there’s a NIMBY or a parasite negating them.
Local councils need abolishing and replacing with public services organisations whose management are directly accountable to the people served. Have a biannual confidence vote in the exec.
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Well that explains why so much of our local democracy is failing. Too many are run like private fiefdoms & with virtually no oversight.
They should be disbanded
Rolling their function into a higher level council provides better oversight and control.
Rather like accountants who look at big picture see the profit loss and overlook the nuances of their decisions with often devastating consequences to many
Waste of money.
I agree with you though.
So you can a toxic mix of entitled old folks and entitled business people on the take, dominating local politics. A predominance of bigots and frauds.
Local councils need abolishing and replacing with public services organisations whose management are directly accountable to the people served. Have a biannual confidence vote in the exec.
Hire on credentials not party fealty.