As local government elections (not to mention a referendum) are rapidly approaching, I want to briefly say why these elections matter much more than they have in the past.
The Localism Bill currently before parliament changes the balance of power between Whitehall and local government:
- It devolves significant new powers to councils, giving councils more freedom and flexibility
- It establishes powerful new rights for local people and communities to, for example, buy assets such as libraries, pubs and shops
- It radically reforms planning, restoring democratic and local control
- It returns decision-making powers on housing to local councils and communities
- It gives local government freedom to attract local business by allowing a range of small-business tax breaks
So your vote matters: the councillors you elect in May will have more power to affect change that affects you and your neighbourhood than they have had in the past. If you don’t vote, you have no say!