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Senior MPs call localism agenda “inconsistent and incoherent”
09 June 2011
The Communities and Local Government Select Committee has criticised the government’s localism agenda, arguing that it needs a more coherent vision in order for it to work on the ground. It also called for marginalised groups to be helped in holding local authorities to account.
The comments were made in the committee’s final report of its localism inquiry. Runnymede, who presented oral evidence in the inquiry, is quoted a number of times in the report.
Included in the document are comments made in the inquiry by Runnymede’s director Dr Rob Berkeley, who stressed the need for new structures to help marginalised groups (including ethnic minorities) hold local authorities to account under localism.
Highlighting in particular the declining numbers of Race Equality Councils across the country, which have traditionally held local authorities to account on race issues, Rob said: “We had an extensive structure of race equality councils across the country. In 2007 there were 100, now they are down to 42 and they seem to be declining. I am keen to go with the spirit and suggest that localism can deliver, given local accountability to local citizens, but the structures need to be in place. I suspect that they are not currently. I do not hear any plans to support and establish those local organisations that might begin to hold local authorities to account a bit more on equality.”
