Council leaders propose "Magna Carta for Localism"

The shadow cabinet is certainly being kept busy with localist proposals from Tory council leaders. Apart from the ideas from Kent mentioned below the Local Government Chronicle also reports on a pitch from several Council leaders for extra Town Hall powers on matters such as health and welfare. It is called a Magna Carta for Localism. 

Council leaders mentioned as being involved include Cllr Colin Barrow from Westminster, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh from Hammersmith and Fulham, Cllr David Parsons from Leicestershire and Cllr Peter Jones from East Sussex.

The LGC reports that the Shadow Treasury team have brought in Paul Kirby, formerly of KPMG and the Audit Commission, "to audit the party's local government proposals for affordability."

Cllr Jones says: “We need to hit them with well-pitched ideas. If we get it past Philip Hammond, it’s a runner.”