Power to the People
Posted by David Burrowes, MP for Enfield, Southgate, at 12:32, Fri 2 February 2007:
Where were you on the evening of 18th January? I imagine you were doing your best to be indoors away from the stormy weather. Over 100 people had other ideas and packed into a public meeting at Bowes Primary School which I called to discuss TfL's plans for the A406. The attendance on such an awful night highlighted the care and commitment local people have to their area and desire to see improvement.
Two weeks ago I supported the Sustainable Communities Bill which if passed would be a step in the right direction, making it clear how much public money is spent in Enfield and what proportion is controlled by local people rather than Whitehall. The next step would be to make councils more responsible for the money raised in local taxation. The 70% of the public who do not vote at local elections may become interested in what the Council does and even pack out the public gallery at Enfield Council meetings...even when the weather's bad!
Last Monday I contributed to a debate on the Local Government Bill which the Government says will increase the voice of local people. Unfortunately it is mainly about changes in Council structure rather than devolving power to people to determine housing, planning and transport. What I believe is needed for the people who attended the A406 meeting, or for that matter those who recently attended my meeting about the possible closure of Southgate police station, or those who regularly contact me about inappropriate plans for housing or mobile phone masts, is more local control over our community. We do not want an unaccountable TfL or Met Police Commissioner or Government planning guidance calling the shots on our local area.
I am also on the Committee scrutinising the detail of the Local Government Bill. One of the proposals of the Bill is to establish a system of Parish Councils in London Boroughs such as Enfield. I'd be interested to hear your views on this proposal. Do you think the creation of Parish Councils is a good idea? Send me your comments.
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Posted by Alan Sitkin, 08:35, Sat 3 February 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
1. Most of us don't identify with this MP's insular calls for "localism". Besides, it's not very honest to pretend that the A406 is an issue that can be resolved at the Enfield level. Effective government requires the coordinated approach of all GLA services. I find these attempts to drive a wedge between us and our fellow Londoners distasteful and rabble-rousing. 2. Parish Councils? Last Council election, Enfield Labour proposed devolving a budget to local wards. Why didn't the MP support the idea at the time? It's all spin...