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The Erosion of Local Power

Eva Lipman

Are you aware that our County and District Councils have had and are having their powers eroded? Some of the things previously under the control of BCC which have now been taken away are:

Police: This now is now Bucks, Berks, and Oxon.
Schools: The responsibility for schools will be taken away in less than two years and be administered from Whitehall. Sixth forms and learning skills are already being dealt with by a Quango.
Fire: There are now Regional Fire Services. If you dial 999 you now get someone in Kent answering.

There is a SE Region Planning Board, SE Region Transport Committee, and SE Region Culture Committee amongst others. The BCC general grant which was under the discretion of the county has been removed and replaced by specific grants for specific things thereby removing local decisions as to spending. There are guidelines for most services.

The Government says how much should be spent on what. Of the increase in spending 4.9% is laid down by the Government and only 0.1% is allowed to be decided locally. If the increase is more than 5% the council is capped. The unelected Regional Assemblies have taken powers from local government. In the years to come more and more powers will be devolved upwards.