EFFECTIVE LOCAL COUNCILS

Early day motion 1228, tabled 1 May 2002 by Richard Younger-Ross (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 9 members.

That this House notes with concern the large number of resignations by town and parish councillors in protest at the implementation of the 'Model Code of Conduct for Parish and Town Councils'; believes that this is undermining local democracy and will severely weaken the representative character of these immensely valuable watchdogs; considers that the code is too Draconian for most small councils and that its implementation should have been delayed for one year to coincide with the local elections in 2003; and calls upon the Government urgently to reconsider both the terms and the application of these constraints.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 9.