NALC urges stronger parish and town council role in reorganisation

Writing in a response to a consultation on proposals for local government reorganisation in Surrey, the organisation said effective devolution and local government reorganisation “must recognise the role of parish and town councils as the community tier of local government”.

“They can be a strong voice for local neighbourhoods and help address fears of remote government resulting from the establishment of new strategic and unitary authorities,” it said.

The response added that strengthening the role and expanding the coverage of parish and town councils would ensure devolution “does not stop at regional or subregional level and delivers tangible benefits for communities nationwide”.

NALC also called for the creation of new parish and town councils in currently unparished areas and the abolition of existing charter trustees.

In addition, it called for early consultation with parish and town councils involved in reorganisation whenever assets or services are at risk of withdrawal to allow communities to take them on.

Elsewhere, the response said that consideration should be given to mechanisms to enable effective partnership and collaboration, including county association membership of the Joint Implementation Team, the development of a charter, dedicated parish council liaison officer, and the establishment of a focus group.

It also encouraged monthly engagement with the county association, provision of training support, and county association representation on new unitary authorities.

Speaking broadly about reorganisation, the response said: “NALC is committed to working positively and constructively with the new government to deliver its missions and to build stronger, more resilient communities.

“Because our country faces challenges that national government alone cannot solve. And indeed, national government cannot deliver its missions on its own. It is local government at all levels which is the key to tackling these challenges.”

Adam Carey