New bill will gag councils on everything from HS2 to fire cuts, and this comes from a government supposedly in support of localism
The coalition government is seeking to undermine the right of democratically-elected local councils to speak up for their communities.Planned government legislation in the form of the local audit and accountability bill will stop local councils campaigning on behalf of their communities – effectively placing them under a gagging order. This comes from the same government that signed up to a localism agenda.
Seven London borough councils are in the process of challenging the legality of the mayor of London’s decision to close 10 fire stations, scrap 14 fire engines, and cut 552 firefighters. Last month, the mayor forced his unwanted fire cuts through against the wishes of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.
But new government proposals would prevent local authorities from challenging government policy in this way.
In London there have been several high-profile campaigns led by local authorities who have been successful in challenging closures or cuts in their borough. The fight to save Lewisham hospital was taken to the high court, which ruled that the secretary of state for health acted illegally. Despite a fantastic community-led campaign from the “Save Lewisham Hospital group”, it was only when the local authority got involved and submitted their judicial review that the hospital was saved from closure.
In Labour-run Camden they have been fighting the government on a number of fronts. They are committed to a no-evictions policy on tenants affected by the contentious “bedroom tax”. With HS2, government proposals would demolish parts of Euston without adding benefit to the area. Camden joined with other local authorities to start legal proceedings.
Even more telling is that this attempt to silence councils has already started. Lambeth council was reported to the district auditor by Eric Pickles’ aide over its campaign to publicise the welfare cuts being made by central government in February this year. Critics claimed Lambeth had misused taxpayers’ money on a “propaganda” campaign against government welfare cuts. Council leader Lib Peck told the Evening Standard that Lambeth “has a duty to provide information, support and advice to its residents.”
By Valerie in Shawcross in The Guardian, 14th October 2013
