Clause 58
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill
9:30 am
Alistair Burt (Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government), Communities and Local Government; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)
Parish councils are wary about raising more money. That issue came up the other day when we were discussing the power to promote well-being. Councils will not be given any new resources to do that, but will have to raise the money themselves. Raising money locally is never an easy job. Again, councils were concerned that they would be given new powers but no new resources, and that then people would say, “Why are you not doing anything?” No one wants to contribute and no one wants to cough up extra taxes.
I am not sure whether urban community councils want the power to raise money. I can understand why they would be hesitant. Any group, such as a residents association or neighbourhood association, that provides a collective view and an opportunity for people to engage beyond the confines of their own houses and take part in community life is good news.
It is very important that urban community councils are established, and that they thrive. We must always ensure that there is something reasonable and meaningful for people to do. Again, I urge that community councils and other bodies that are statutory consultees should be able to see that that consultation really matters, that what they have to say about something is noticed, and that things change as a result. It is clear, however, that they are important and that they have a role.
Having said that, it has happened that community groups have been set up and have then handled money poorly, with the result that problems have arisen. Therefore, we need to be sure that there is leadership capacity, and that resources are available for training to improve it and to ensure that people are able to handle money safely. In that way, people will be able to handle their responsibilities effectively.
Those are the issues that I wish to tease out with the Under-Secretary, and I hope that she will be good enough to respond and give us a sense of the meaning of clause 58 and the associated clauses.