21 February 2023The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is urging the House of Lords to make changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to ensure that parish and town councils can play their part. This provides an excellent opportunity to raise several issues that have concerned our sector in recent years where they fall within the remit of the Bill.
NALC’s president, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, has helpfully tabled nine amendments to the Bill:
- Providing for councils to be able to hold remote meetings
- Suspension of councillors who breach the code of conduct
- Access to direct government funding and grants
- A clear timetable for the neighbourhood governance review to make it easier to set up new local councils
- Payment of dependent carers allowance to parish councillors
- The extension of the general power of competence
This follows the issues she raised in her speech at Second Reading on NALC’s behalf about the vital role of parish and town councils in levelling up and improving communities.
A short briefing, has been circulated to various contacts in the House of Lords asking them for their support during the Committee Stage of the Bill over the next few weeks.
SLCC support this positive action and if members have close contact with any peers, please encourage them to support these important amendments.
