MEASURES which could see Lichfield District Council abolished must ensure local communities still have a strong representative voice, an MP has said.
The Labour Government has unveiled plans to scrap two-tier local authority areas.
It would mean district councils being consumed into larger county councils in a bid to streamline services.
A paper published on the proposals highlighted how unitary authorities would be imposed where necessary.
Lichfield’s Labour MP Dave Robertson, who is also still a member of the district council, said change was needed to create better outcomes for residents:
“Local government isn’t always delivering for our communities.
“Whether it’s the crisis in SEND services, the state of our roads or the lack of investment in places like Burntwood and our neglected rural communities, much more needs to be done.
“So, I welcome the fact that the Government is prepared to make some fundamental changes, rather than tinkering around the edges.
“It’s really important that our communities have a strong voice that can protect our identity.
“I raised this issue with the minister in the House of Commons and I will continue to work across Westminster and with local leaders to ensure we get the best possible outcome for Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages from this proposal.”
The proposals have drawn criticism from the District Councils’ Network who say Labour’s plans could create “mega-councils” rather than providing devolution in the way the Government says it will.
Lichfield District Council’s leader Cllr Doug Pullen has also questioned whether the proposals would have the desired effect.
He said:
“Whatever form local government takes, the interests of residents and businesses must come first.
“My concern about forcing councils to have at least 500,000 residents is that power and democratic accountability is actually moved further away from communities – the opposite of devolution.
“I’ll be working closely with councillors, regional keaders, the county and government to ensure that we get the very best deal for Lichfield district.”
Bing back the county of Lichfield and not part of staffordshire County.
Whoever is in power, the Leader says jump, our MP jumps. Centralisation is all too often the stuff of autocracy, though not as if that’s made a deal of difference since 1980. We seem to have a Single Transferable Party now.
We had very little influence on LDC once the councillors were elected to office. It is likely we will lose even that when larger county councils take over. In all the time I have lived in Lichfield I have felt Stafford was not well disposed to our city. We threaten their county status.
The future looks bleak for Lichfield. Even our new MP seems less than supportive.
I would rather see the county council go than Lichfield council. At least Lichfield get back to you.
“Lack of investment.” The cost of HS2 has risen to £80 billion. That kind of money would be a lot of investment.
Sunk cost fallacy means that ego and fear of losing face has trumped financial reality.
Don’t really see the point of district and county councillors.Problems never seem to get sorted. Would be better to have fewer tiers.
This is not new. It was proposed approx 20 years ago. Maybe this time it will happen cos LDC need a good sort out,& a long overdue laxative of the old guard & some more resident appropriate ideas
Sickening. Lichfield is rather different compared to its surrondings. We don’t want to be ruled from Tamworth, Cannock, Stafford, Stoke or Burton. LDC is far from perfect but I doubt very much that a new “Southern Staffordshire” or a “Unitary Staffordshire” would understand and care for our local needs.
Staffordshire is 50 miles from end to end, and has more than a million people in it – District Councils serve a really important purpose here.
Another example of our MP falling in line with whatever the party says. Given he was a local councillor ( still is?)- interesting he didn’t try to bring reform over the past few years – did he not see the benefit of change then?