Somerset parish wins DCLG backing for Sustainable Communities Act proposal

The organisation asked in its submission for parish and town councils to have the ability to send agendas electronically rather than in the post, where the recipient has given their consent.

Responding to Bleadon’s request, Stephen Williams, a minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government, said: “I am pleased to be able to confirm that this Department will soon be introducing secondary legislation that will allow all councils to circulate agendas electronically where the recipient has given permission for this. I am pleased that we have been able to accept your proposal, which was the first to be submitted by a parish council under the Act.”

Cllr Ken Browse, chair of the National Association of Local Councils, said: “Local councils are the most local part of government and the body most closely connected to the community. Our connection with local people and our knowledge of the local area means we are ideally placed to make use of the Act.

“No one knows the local community like we do and this new change to an arcane law shows this in practice. This reform to rules, which are over forty years old, is long overdue but very welcome and will help parish and town councils operate more efficiently and effectively. I am grateful for the cross-party support on this issue and shows the voice of our important tier of local government is being heard and acted upon.”

Parish and town councils have been able to make direct proposals under the 2007 Act since last October.