‘Fresh democracy’ at local levels if new council forms

Sixty attend meeting on regional government

New parish and town councils could be created if an east Kent ‘super council’ becomes a reality.

The idea to devolve decisionmaking powers came at a public meeting last week to discuss merging the councils at Canterbury, Dover, Ashford, Shepway and Thanet into a single authority as a way of reducing the cost of running services.

Ray Evison, chairman of Hackington Parish Council and the Kent Association of Local Councils, told the meeting that the proposal could provide fresh opportunities for local democracy.

He said: “With the prospect of a merger of district councils there comes the fear of a democratic deficit. The creation of new parish and town councils could counter this deficit.

“As funding to councils from central government decreases, services are being reduced. Councils at a local level will therefore probably want to take control of how their neighbourhoods and amenities are maintained, determining how, when and by whom services are to be provided.

“And, as the success of evolving initiatives becomes better known, so there is likely to be enthusiasm for the creation of new parish and town councils in previously unparished areas.”

Wednesday night’s meeting took place at St Peter’s Methodist Church Hall and was organised by the Canterbury Society and the Campaign for Democracy in the Canterbury District.

Prof Rick Norman, who helped organise the meeting, said: “There was much discussion of the opportunities for parish councils, and the possibility of creating separate town councils for Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable.

“Many people wanted to know what powers and functions could be devolved to that level. Some of the examples which were mentioned were cutting of hedges and grass verges, licensing, parking, planning decisions, and the preservation of the historic built environment.”

Canterbury City Council leader Cllr Simon Cook told the audience of 60 that future funding reductions meant “retaining the status quo is not an option”.

The Conservative is at the forefront of the exploring the super council idea, which could become a reality by the time of the next local elections in 2019.

Afterwards, he said: “If we were to do this – and it’s still a big if – then that is when we would want to do it by.

“There is a case for delaying the election by a year, if the Secretary of State agrees, and only if we think we are moving too fast.

“It was good, however, to see that so many people are interested. Of course, they have concerns about things like democracy and preserving the identity of Canterbury.

“We are still trying to get a firm idea of the detail.”

Do you think smaller local councils inside an east Kent super council are a good idea? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk or write to Gazette House, Estuary View Business Park, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.

Chairman Ray Evison