LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

Early day motion 178, tabled 26 June 1997 by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 48 members.

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to sign the European Charter of Local Self-Government; believes that this is an important and symbolic first step towards building a new relationship between central and local government; notes that in the last session of Parliament the House of Lords Select Committee on Relations Between Central and Local Government published a report Rebuilding Trust (HL 97 of Session 1996-97) which made a number of important recommendations, including a new statutory power of local competence, enabling an authority to act in the interests of the local community within the limits of financial prudence but without a need to be certain that no other powers are available; believes that such an approach is preferable to central government placing further specific duties on local government; and calls on the Government to re-examine the House of Lords Select Committee Report in the light of its stated commitment to inclusive government and publish its response in order to signal a willingness to reinforce and strengthen the role of local government in the United Kingdom as a vital part of a pluralist democracy.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 36, Labour 7, Labour/Co-operative 4, UUP 1.