WIREDGOV

Whitehall plans could stop councils from campaigning on behalf of their residents on major transport projects and large-scale developments, town hall bosses are warning.

The Government is trying to place the Local Authority Publicity Code – currently a guidance document for English councils – into legislation as part of the Local Audit and Accountability Bill.

Independent legal advice, published by the Local Government Association (LGA), confirms that council campaigns, driven by local opinion and often run in partnership with community groups, could be banned under the proposals that pose a real threat to local democracy. 

These include those on HS2, large housing developments, cuts to police and fire services, hospital closures and the proliferation of betting shops.

The LGA, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, is calling on the Government to remove the unnecessary proposals to make the code into law so that it remains guidance only.

Sir Merrick Cockell, LGA Chairman, said:

"Councils have a legitimate, local, democratic mandate. They have a proud history of campaigning on behalf of their residents who rightly look to them to unite communities and stand up for their best interests. That might often be inconvenient for central government, but a community being able to fight for or against unpopular or controversial proposals affecting their area is a key part of democracy.

"This independent legal advice also confirms our fears that a government could hand power to one individual in Whitehall to restrict councils from campaigning on important issues such as HS2 or hospital closures if they so wish.

"To simply make it easier for Government to ignore the views of communities is unacceptable, sets a dangerous precedent and will mean local areas and residents will suffer as a result.

"The Government needs to see sense and withdraw these ill-thought out proposals. Councils must retain the ability to communicate its views to its residents and not be stifled from commenting on central government policy."

Notes to editors

1. Legal advice the LGA has received on Clause 38 (Code of practice on local authority publicity) of the Local Audit and Accountability Bill can be found on the LGA website.

2. The Local Audit and Accountability Bill is currently waiting for its Second Reading in the House of Commons having passed through the House of Lords before the summer recess.

Author:  LGA Media Office
Contact: LGA Media Office, Telephone: 020 7664 3333