Ilkley councillor's plea to authority over localism (From Wharfedale Observer)

Ilkley councillor's plea to authority over localism

2:00pm Friday 8th February 2013 in News

Bradford Council is not embracing the localism agenda as it is not devolving services and responsibilities to local councils, says Ilkley Parish Council’s chairman.

Councillor Heathcliffe Bowen told Ilkley Parish Council on Monday other authorities across the country were getting to grips with localism, forming partnerships with town and parish councils. Coun Bowen recently attended a conference on localism.

He said some authorities had taken the opportunity to form strong partnerships with local councils, working together on asset management and other areas, while Bradford Council was instead moving towards devolving powers through its area committees.

Coun Bowen said the authority’s leadership must embrace the localism agenda and the impetus for the move must come from the top.