Communities and Local Government

• Local government
• Newsroom
• Latest news
• Blears heralds a new era of 'parish power'

Local government

Blears heralds a new era of 'parish power'

Published	21 May 2008

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today heralded a new era of 'parish power' where parishes have a real purpose in modern society - a far cry from the way they are often perceived as outdated, 19th century institutions.

Speaking in Eastbourne to representatives of local parish councils, she praised local parishes as a force for local pride and empowerment. As the smallest unit of local democracy, there are 10,000 parish and town councils covering 90 per cent of the country. But their small size belies the big impact they can have addressing the issues that make a real difference to people's quality of life like parks, trees and allotments, bus stops, community halls and litter bins.

Parish councils have an important contribution to make in reinvigorating local democracy - they are often the most immediate form of representation, acting as a focal point for local debate and identity. Parish councils can also be very effective at connecting with local people, and stoking enthusiasm for getting involved.

An 'Empowerment' White Paper, with proposals designed to reinvigorate local democracy and devolve power to the grass roots, is due within weeks, and this will be complemented by separate powers for parish councils including;

• Plans to make it easier to bring in local experts onto parish councils to help drive key priorities and shape services that matter. Parishes will be able to temporarily appoint local experts as additional councillors to advise on issues within their field of expertise, such as teachers on schools or businessmen on finance.
• A new 'wellbeing' power for eligible local parish councils. This would shift more power locally, so eligible parish councils can freely make decisions as long as they are in their community's interest and promote the wellbeing of its area. This might be for example, local town centre development, support for a community rail service, or new initiatives to create jobs. The wellbeing power is currently only applicable to Local Authorities.

More local parishes are being set up - with nineteen established in the last year - which can invest in local projects, from community transport, to green spaces, to benches, that can boost local pride. And with a strong track record of involving people in planning for their neighbourhood's future, they have a crucial role to play at an important time for local democracy.

Hazel Blears said:

"We are seeing a new era of modern 'parish power'. It's high time we got away from stereotypes that parishes are sleepy, out of touch operations. Parishes are about local democracy in action and I'm proud to be strengthening their arm.

"As the smallest unit of local democracy, their small size belies the big impact they can have. The truth is new parishes can revive democracy, and modernise communities by putting more power into local people's hands. That's why we are boosting the power of parishes, devolving more power from central and local governments to local people.

"Our forthcoming Empowerment White Paper will herald a significant shift of power, giving people a real say over the local issues that matter to them - schools, hospitals, police and housing. We need to learn from the best, and many parish councils are past masters at giving local people a voice."

Notes to editors

1. Hazel Blears was speaking at the National Association of Local Councils conference in Eastbourne.

2. A survey by Aberystwyth University found that 75 per cent of parish and town councils were expecting to make use of the wellbeing power, once it is in operation. The new power was extended to eligible parish and town councils by last year's Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act. Secondary legislation is being drawn up, in order to bring it into operation alter in 2008. Any parish or town council can decide to use the power, if it meets criteria that are currently being finalised.

3. The Local Government Act also introduced a new power for parish councils to appoint a limited number of additional councillors in order to bring extra skills and expertise to their work, on a temporary basis. This provision will also be brought in later in 2008.

4. Last year's Local Government Act devolved responsibility for creating parish councils to local authorities. Parishes - the most local form of local government - generate high levels of local participation. For example, 4000 parishes across England have involved people in drawing up a parish plan - sometimes getting input from nine in ten residents.

5. Last week, Hazel Blears announced 'three new rights to right local wrongs' under next year's legislative programme that could be enjoyed by local parishes including: A new right to ask for a stronger say on spending decisions that affect them or their communities; A new right to ensure councils consider the sale or transfer of under-used properties, lands or parks to local community groups, co-ops and social enterprises; and a new right to force a debate on specific local issues onto the council agenda.(www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/804997).

6. For more information on the forthcoming Empowerment White Paper visit: www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/712771.

Twitter

Keep up to date with the Department by following us on Twitter (external link).

Media enquiries

Visit our newsroom contacts page for media enquiry contact details.