Sunday 4 September 2011

True Devolution

Neath Port Talbot councillors have been sent draft copies of Labour Welsh Government's proposals for reorganising local government. The document is large, and I have not yet tackled it, but media comments suggest the idea is to reduce the number of bodies responsible for delivering local government services without devolving any more power to them.

Scottish Liberal Democrats are fighting increasing centralisation by the SNP up there. A motion for the SLD autumn conference concludes:

Conference welcomes the initiative of Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie to establish a Home Rule Community Rule Commission to design and promote a precise federal approach to the future of Scotland within the United Kingdom; looks forward to receiving proposals from the Commission in the early part of 2012; and believes that this blueprint can build on the principles developed by the Steel Commission, will map the next constitutional steps after the Scotland Bill and provide an inspiring and positive vision for the future of our country.
Conference welcomes the further task of the Commission to examine how power can be transferred to local communities, to start to reverse the centralising tendencies of Scottish Government.
Conference encourages all interested people and civic bodies to engage with the Home Rule Community Rule Commission.


You can read the full motion and comments upon it in Caron's Musings.

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