In response to today's Queen's Speech, the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) has warned that many of the bills being proposed by the Government have resource implications for local government and that ministers would be "setting up councils to fail" if these commitments were not supported by proper funding.

Dennis Reed, Chief Executive of the LGIU, said: "Various proposed bills on disability, child protection, domestic violence, the fire service, election pilots, housing, planning, traffic management and congestion, community interest companies and gambling will have resource implications for local authorities. We hope that the Government fully funds these rather than repeat the previous practice of setting up councils to fail by making commitments on their behalf and then failing to match them with adequate investment.

"Otherwise, the Government will be putting even more upward pressure on council tax bills on top of the pressures that already exist as a result of last week's local government financial settlement.

"There were some unfortunate omissions from the proposed timetable of legislation. There was no indication of when any recommendations from the Electoral Commission on reform of the voting age might be legislated for and we still seem to be some way from persuading the Government of the merits of a Public Service Act to encourage more participation in local democracy."

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 sister organisations The Education Network (TEN) and the Democratic Health Network (DHN) provide research, policy briefings, information, advice, training and lobbying services to local authority and trade union affiliates. Previous LGIU news releases and statements can be viewed at www.lgiu.gov.uk.

Queen's Speech proposals must be backed with cash