BLANGO WELCOMES LABOUR CONVERSION TO LOCAL DECISIONS (Southwark Liberal Democrats)

Southwark Liberal Democrats <info@southwark-libdems.org.uk>

BLANGO WELCOMES LABOUR CONVERSION TO LOCAL DECISIONS

July 5, 2007 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrat Cllr Columba Blango, Southwark's Executive Member for Communities, has welcomed the conversion of the Labour Government to the idea of devolved local decision making. He was speaking in response to an announcement by the new Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, of more powers for local people.

"I welcome the conversion of the Labour Government to the concept of local decision-making. It is better late than never," said Cllr Columba Blango. "In Southwark, we have pioneered the use of community councils with powers to make decisions and spend money. We have consulted with local people on giving yet more power to them and will be devolving extra powers shortly."

"I have invited Ms Blears to come to Southwark and see how we do things. I am sure that she would see us as being a model for other councils to follow."

"The decision by Hazel Blears is in contrast to the actions of Southwark's Labour group. They voted against the idea of community councils and regularly demand more central control. Most recently, they demanded that the Council should illegally direct the use of planning gain money from the centre rather than use it to help communities affected by developments."

"I am calling on the new Communities Secretary to rein in her wayward colleagues in Southwark and to continue with her plan to allow local people to have more say about decisions and spending."