We have an interesting situation here in Bishopthorpe in that we are represented locally by a city councillor, and also by ten parish councillors: all are elected.
Over the years it is true to say that relations between the parish, the City, and the representatives of both, have not always been of the best. Utterances in meetings and in public have not always helped the situation. Which is a pity, because having both a direct representative in the City and also local people to work for us locally should bring double benefits. The fact that under the Labour City council we had a Lib-Dem representative, and under a Lib-Dem one we have a Tory one, does mean that our voices may not be heard so loudly. Nevertheless, as it stands, the City does have a Ward councillor, and there is a smallish Ward budget that can be spent on local need.
One of the problems is that it is not always clear where Parish and City powers overlap, conflict or complement each other. A spot of strategic getting together might help here. A quick look at the agenda posted on the Parish Council pages demonstrates the range of activities in which it gets involved. And we hope that the new city councilor blog will give us an insight to on the workings of the city which it does appear treats Bishopthorpe at the margin of its perspective.
Now Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has made some new announcements. I say new, as for a few years now the government has been kicking the government-at-local-level football around with various initiatives on the need for greater powers, involvement and accountability at local level. She has said:
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.
Clearly such new powers will need to be handled with sensitivity in a dually represented area. And there are questions as to the desire and competence of parish councillors to take on any new powers, given an extensive workload and an increasingly complex regulatory regime.
Or doesn't anyone really care?
