Folkestone Labour a Councillor Free Zone and Out of Touch on Town Councils

4.55.50pm GMT Thu 16th Mar 2006

Shepway Lib Dem Party Chairman Tim Prater has written to the Head of the Labour Local Government Unit to ask her views on Folkestone and Hythe's Labour Party's recent attack on Folkestone Town Council.

Labour's bizarre local stance is at odds with their Government, which is currently consulting on transferring many more powers to Town and Parish Councils. Labour Town Councillors across the country may also be offended with town and parish councils being branded an "expensive talking shop" by Folkestone and Hythe Labour Party.

Tim Prater commented:

"I'm looking forward to a reply from Ms Reader. It seems Labour in Folkestone and Hythe have given up on local democracy - not hugely surprising as they have NO councillors left anywhere in the area!

"However, many people in Folkestone want a local council discussing the towns needs - which is why they voted for it in a referendum just 3 years ago. A town council that focuses on getting better facilities and services for local people, improving the way the town looks, and encourages local businesses and enterprise can provide huge benefits - which Labour nationally seem to be starting to understand, if Shepway Labour cannot."

Tim Prater's message to Ann Reader read:

13 March 2005

Dear Ms Reader,

I am writing to draw your attention to the publication last Friday in the Folkestone Herald, and indeed of leaflets delivered locally, of a serious attack on our local town and parish councils by the Folkestone and Hythe Labour Party.

They are quoted as saying:

"Folkestone Town Council is a parish council, and apart from its ceremonial function it has few responsibilities and little power. It is a very expensive talking shop. Last year the powerless town council cost taxpayers three quarters of a million pounds."

"Your local Labour party will not condone this waste of money and for that reason will not be fielding a candidate in the forthcoming by-election."

As I'm sure you are aware, following a Referendum of the town's people in May 2003 and the subsequent approval of the (Labour) Secretary of State, Folkestone Parish Council was formed on the 15 June 2004 and became a Town Council on 24 June 2004. With a "balanced" make-up, the Town Council works on behalf of the Town, as I'm sure is the case in the many town and parish councils in which Labour are, unlike in Folkestone, represented or indeed leading the council.

Clearly, in Shepway, Labour's experience of local government, democracy and the workings of the Councils are increasingly limited. They lost their final councillor in Shepway in 2005, and are now without a single elected representative anywhere in the area. Clearly, their refusal to stand in many elections locally may have some impact on that.

However, the approach of the Folkestone and Hythe Labour Party seems to be at odds with the national Labour Party, and specifically the Minister for Local Government David Milliband who is currently consulting on the reorganisation of the existing two tier county system, including Kent. As we understand it, amongst the options for consideration (and seemingly currently the preferred model) would be new unitary authorities and increased devolution of powers to town and parish councils. Under this model, the role of Town Councils such as Folkestone would be enhanced, as the best placed to deliver a number of local services.

It would seem as if Folkestone and Hythe Labour Party does not understand, or does not want to understand, the proposals of David Milliband and the Government. We have some sympathy with you in that - Folkestone and Hythe Labour Party has seemed for some time to be disconnected from electoral reality - but you may wish to ensure they cause you rather less credibility damage in future.

Equally, you may request them to apologise directly to the Labour Town and Parish Councillors across the country who have stood for such councils, and who would presumably reject the idea that their council is a " very expensive talking shop".

I would be grateful for your comments, and specifically:

• Whether you agree with Folkestone and Hythe Labour Party that Town Councils are a "very expensive talking shop"

• Whether in your role as Head of Labours Local Government Unit you support Folkestone and Hythe Labour's position of refusing to stand candidates in Town Council elections

• Whether you and Labour nationally would support the devolution of increased decision making to Town and Parish Councils, which will make them increasingly relevant

I hope this email is of assistance, and I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Tim Prater