Localism act ... extended council powers

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Someone drew this to my attention the other day (I can't for the life of me remember who it was, but it was a real life conversation rather than one here ...) and I looked it up on line when I got back home:

The Localism Act of 2011 opens with Part 1, Chapter 1(1), under the heading "Local authority^s general power of competence", "A local authority has power to do anything that individuals generally may do" ^

I think that means that the council doesn't any longer have to look for statutory authority to (for example) ask commercial public transport providers if they would consider xxx change, since any individual can ask such questions.  There are some excellent and knowledgable council staff and elected representatives around, and used wisely by them, this power of competence offers their expertise and information in helping to advise - impartially to each commercial company, of course, considered suggestions. No longer "it's a commercial service - we can't influence it / make inputs in any way" which has been a line I've heard in the past!

[trainer]

Thanks Graham.  I think I might be using this information in conversations and correspondence with the local councillors.

[chuffed]

Try quoting that to a certain cabinet member for transport in North Somerset. I don't think he would have the first clue what you were on about.....