South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative Leader John Calway met recently with Prime Minister David Cameron at a reception hosted at 10 Downing Street, and discussed the Government’s proposals to give more power to councillors and local residents in South Gloucestershire.
The Government’s Localism Bill will lay the foundations for the Big Society by radically transforming the relationships between central government, local government, communities and individuals. It aims to strengthen local democracy by handing new powers down to councils, establishing powerful new rights for local people, overhauling the planning system, as well as making housing decisions fairer and supporting local businesses.
Commenting, Cllr Calway, said:
“It was an honour to visit Downing Street and to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss the positive changes the Government are making to the way local councils are run.”
“By putting an end to the hoarding of power within central government and the top-down control of communities, they will allow local people the freedom to run their lives and neighbourhoods in their own way.”
He added:
“I also took the opportunity to advise the Prime Minister that I will be writing to him about the importance of ensuring that the government does what it can so that local communities benefit from major infrastructure when they have to host it.”
“This is of particular concern to the communities that live close to both Severn Bridges, as well as the potential new nuclear power station at Oldbury.”
“The Prime Minister said he would look forward to receiving my letter on this important local issue.”
Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council
