Localism comes closer, With new powers for Marlborough Town Council Options

[user23]

Marlborough's town councillors have voted to adopt the new 'General Power of Competence' that is enshrined in the government's localism legislation. This gives the council "the power to anything that individuals may generally do" as long as they do not break other laws.

More about this here.

Could Newbury or Thatcham be next?

[Cognosco]

Marlborough's town councillors have voted to adopt the new 'General Power of Competence' that is enshrined in the government's localism legislation. This gives the council "the power to anything that individuals may generally do" as long as they do not break other laws.

More about this here.

Could Newbury or Thatcham be next?

The stumbling block of course for Newbury will be with one word in the heading "Competence".

[Simon Kirby]

Marlborough's town councillors have voted to adopt the new 'General Power of Competence' that is enshrined in the government's localism legislation. This gives the council "the power to anything that individuals may generally do" as long as they do not break other laws.

More about this here.

Could Newbury or Thatcham be next?

I may be wrong, but I rather thought that NTC had made that resolution already - don't they already give grants under their general power of competence?

It can perhaps at times be a useful thing for a parish council to be able to spend money where previously it didn't have an explicit statutory power, but I'd suggest the times would be few and far between. The real challenge is for oppressive self-serving parishes like Newbury's administration to re-discover their community purpose and find an openness and accountability that will put them back in touch with the communities they are supposed to serve.

Rather than more powers for parishes what we really need is the right of appeal to the Tribunal service to hold the more despotic and corrupt examples to account.

[On the edge]

Yes, it would be great but for it to work, it has to be realised that localism should be far more than playing Lord of Lady Bountiful to a few local charities. The necessary ideas and innovation won't come unless it's prompted - since when has either of our local councils listened to our ideas let alone run with one.

[MontyPython]

Marlborough's town councillors have voted to adopt the new 'General Power of Competence' that is enshrined in the government's localism legislation. This gives the council "the power to anything that individuals may generally do" as long as they do not break other laws.
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So they can do what they want rather than what the public who pays council tax wants - rather like NTC and WBC do at the moment.

[user23]

I may be wrong, but I rather thought that NTC had made that resolution already - don't they already give grants under their general power of competence?

You could be right. I just wanted to see how long it would take the usual suspects to jump on this thread and post the same old stuff they always do.

The answer was, not long.

[Simon Kirby]

You could be right. I just wanted to see how long it would take the usual suspects to jump on this thread and post the same old stuff they always do.

The answer was, not long.

I know, informed criticism's a b1tch, hey.

[MontyPython]

You could be right. I just wanted to see how long it would take the usual suspects to jump on this thread and post the same old stuff they always do.

The answer was, not long.

Of course if their was competence shown by our local councils we wouldn't have anything to post about and would be happy. Any sign of that coming User?? No unfortunately we will be in for a long wait!

[Cognosco]

You could be right. I just wanted to see how long it would take the usual suspects to jump on this thread and post the same old stuff they always do.

The answer was, not long.

Pot & Kettle?