Shepway's communities should be set free

Commenting on reports today that Gordon Brown has blocked plans to devolve more powers to town halls, Liberal Democrat Shadow Local Government Secretary, Andrew Stunell MP said:

"Gordon Brown has today made it clear Labour stand for 'double cross' rather than 'double devolution' when it comes to our town halls. We need to set our local communities free to address the issues they will face in the 21st century.

"That's why we're proposing an unprecedented transfer of power back to local government at our party conference next week.

"The Government should scrap council tax, return business rates to local control, and bring quangos under democratic control. Local government doesn't need further micromanagement from the Treasury."

Locally, the Lib Dem plans would see more local decisions made by Kent County Council, Shepway District, Folkestone and Hythe Town Councils and local parish councils. Currently, large areas of local decision making is made by quangos and central Government, often remote from the issues being faced locally.