Jonathan Walker: Handing power to councils can be a double-edged sword
Feb 12 2010 By Jonathan Walker
Opposition leaders usually promise to give more power to local communities and councils – and frequently disappoint once they get into power.
It’s far too soon to complain that David Cameron has followed this pattern. He hasn’t even got into Downing Street yet.
But there was an ominous sign this week when it was announced that Tories would stop councils making decisions about building new schools. Instead, they will be treated like nuclear power stations or other projects of strategic importance, with the decision made by the Secretary of State.
The aim is to make it easy for parents to set up their own schools, a key Tory pledge, so it could be argued that this actually devolves more power to communities.
But the announcement still looks like a bad omen for councillors hoping a Conservative government will just let them get on with things.
Perhaps one good reason for central government to leave councils alone is that it might force them to take responsibility for their actions.
Coventry City Council is currently waiting for planning inspectors to publish their review of the council’s “core strategy”, which sets out plans to provide 33,500 now homes, following a series of public hearings. The results are due in April.
It’s been controversial, not least because it includes plans for a new “eco-suburb” creating 3,750 dwellings in Keresley. Which would mean building on green belt land.
The proposal was drawn up by the council – but that didn’t stop the authority blaming it on the Government when it proved unpopular. Apparently, the 33,500 housing target has been forced on it by Westminster. A Conservative government would solve this by removing the target.
But this would leave councils like Coventry with a dilemma.
They could either limit the number of dwellings they build – and be held responsible if it turned out there were too few homes in the area – or meet the target and then take responsibility for it.
Either way, there would be no passing the buck to Westminster.
Local councillors would have to answer for their decisions to local voters.
