Local councils will be able to create new town and parish councils without seeking approval from the Government from 15 February 2008, Local Government Minister John Healey MP has confirmed.
The shift delivers a key element of the Government's drive to devolve more power and decision making to councils who will be able to make decisions on local governance faster. It will bring influence, decisions and control closer to the people.
Local people will be able to petition their council with recommendations to change the way their community is governed. In response, councils will now have the power to review these recommendations and take decisions on the way forward without seeking the approval of the Secretary of State, as was previously required.
John Healey MP said:
"These decisions are best taken at local level, in the town hall rather than in Whitehall, by leaders who know their communities best.
"This is a further step in giving councils power that Whitehall has held for years. We will also produce plans which will enable parish councils to make some bye-laws without having to seek the Government's approval."
Parish and town councils are the most local tier of government in England. There are currently about 10,000 parishes in England - around 8,700 of which have councils served by approximately 70,000 councillors - the vast majority in shire areas. There are around 1600 parish and town councils in the East of England.
Advice support and training for parish councils is provided through the County Association of Local Councils (CALC), who have formed a network in our region known as the East of England Association of Parish & Town Councils (EEAPTC). The EEAPTC has a place on the East of England Regional Assembly.
