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- Powers to create parish councils confirmed
Powers to create parish councils confirmed
| Published | 15 February 2008 |
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Local councils will be able to create new town and parish councils without seeking approval from the Government from today, 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."
In setting up new councils local authorities must consult local people and ensure that any change reflects the identities and interests of the community it represents and that it will be able to deliver effective and convenient local government. Ensuring that the interests of communities are reflected will mean councils should ensure the creation of any parish council is not detrimental to community cohesion.
The number of people who can be represented by parish meetings rather than a full council has also been increased from 200 to 999 electors, recognising the fact that the widely varying sizes of parish councils calls for a greater degree of flexibility in choosing the right style of governance.
Parish councils can also now be created in London, where they have previously not been allowed since 1963, as several successful parish councils in urban areas in other parts of England have proven that they are an effective form of governance in densely populated areas.
Notes to editors
1. An Order commencing the new powers has been laid in Parliament. We will also shortly publish new guidance to councils on these powers.
2. 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.
3. A town council is a council which represents a parish but has resolved to call itself a town council.
4. Parish and town councils vary enormously in size, activities and circumstances, representing populations ranging from less than 100 (small rural hamlets) to up to 70,000. The majority of them are small; around 80 per cent represent populations of less than 2,500.
5. Parishes (usually small parishes in rural areas) with no parish council can be grouped with neighbouring parishes under a common parish council. The population coverage of town and parish councils in England is 17 million. About 90 per cent of the geographical area of England is covered by a parish.
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