Local Government White Paper "a massive missed opportunity"

12.51.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th Oct 2006

Manchester Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Simon Ashley, commenting on the Local Government White Paper, said today:

"Although there are some measures in the White Paper that we would support, like the reduction of targets, this is a massive missed opportunity by the Labour Government".

The White Paper will not:

* Introduce a fair voting system, which is crucial for effective democratic renewal and making communities heard.

* Abolish the Council Tax and nor introduce Local Income Tax: essential for fairness, especially those on fixed or low incomes.

* Return Business Rates to local control which will mean Manchester will not get a fair share of the wealth it creates.

* It will not return government centralised power and budgets to Town Halls.

* It will not allow Manchester, or Greater Manchester, to choose its own method of Government.

Cllr Ashley added:

"This could have been a turning point for Manchester's Government. We could have been given the power back to run our own city. Instead, the power is staying in Whitehall rather than being given to our communities here in Manchester."

Ends....