News release from the Local Government Information Unit
RELEASE IMMEDIATE: 10 October 2003
Making public service possible
Local government thinktank the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) is marking Local Democracy Week with a call for reforms to enable more people to volunteer for public service.
The health of local democracy relies upon the energy and enthusiasm of a wide range of people. However, despite many people being concerned about public policy issues and their local community, too few are coming forward to stand as councillors. There is a similar lack of interest in taking up places as school governors, magistrates and other public service roles.
As well as stressing the importance of greater local government powers in areas such as finance in boosting public interest in local government, the LGIU's Perilous Democracy campaign is putting forward a 'joined up' programme of reforms that would encourage more people to get involved in local politics.
The main measures that the LGIU is advocating to government include:
* Paid time off for public duties, including full-time public service responsibilities, with the employer compensated for staff undertaking public service and the employee retaining certain employment rights.
* New grants and tax incentives to encourage employers to support any of their staff who undertake public service, as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes.
* All councillors entitled to make pension contributions in the local government pension scheme, or to a comparable alternative of their choice.
* There should be a requirement for local authorities to reimburse councillors for childcare and other caring responsibilities.
* There should be 'councillor development grants' for parish and town councils to develop the potential of elected members.
* Councils should be able to apply for a 'public service promotion grant' to enable them to encourage people to undertake a wide range of public service roles.
* The voting age should be reduced to 16 and the age of candidature to 18.
* Restrictions preventing local government employees from participating in political activities should be amended to only apply to designated senior local government officers.
* There should be a system of academic and vocational accreditation linked to experience and training to recognise the skills gained as a councillor.
Cllr Dave Wilcox, Chair of the LGIU, said: "There is a school of thought that would seek to resolve the shortage of council candidates, and supposedly raise their quality, by cutting the number of councillors. This would mean an even greater centralisation of the British state and a weaker local democracy. This is not the LGIU's way. We want a stronger local democracy, engaging more local people and being more representative of the diverse backgrounds found in modern society.
"Part of the way to achieving this concerns a range of issues around the powers and responsibilities of local government. However, vital too are a number of constitutional questions and the support given to those interested in serving their local communities. The LGIU has a range of proposals that would bring more talent into local government and public service. We will be articulating these ideas vigorously in the coming months."
ENDS
For further information contact:
Kevin Morton Tel. 020 7554 2858; Mobile 07958 314846; E mail kevin.morton@lgiu.org.uk
Mary Wimbury Tel. 020 7554 2845; Mobile 07958 521344; E mail mary.wimbury@lgiu.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1. The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) is Britain's foremost independent local democracy think tank, campaigning to extend local authority best practice, freedoms and responsibilities. Recent initiatives have included the Commission on Local Governance and the LGIU is working to influence the debate on local government modernisation. The LGIU and its education service TEN (The Education Network) also provides research, policy briefings, information, advice, training and lobbying services to 150 local authority and trade union affiliates. Previous LGIU news releases and statements can be viewed at www.lgiu.gov.uk
2. Local Democracy Week from 13 to 19 October is co-ordinated by the Local Government Association (LGA) and involves numerous national and local events across England and Wales. For more information see http://www.localdemocracyweek.info/.