Surrey County Council Lib Dems say: “Free Surrey from central government’s shackles”

Surrey County Council's Liberal Democrats are calling for more decision making powers and funding to be devolved from central government to the regions, counties, boroughs & districts and cities of England.

Cllr Hazel Watson, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Surrey County Council said: "The time has arrived for Surrey to be freed from central government's shackles. Following the Scottish Independence Referendum vote there is a real opportunity for the regions, counties, boroughs & districts and cities of England to gain more decision making powers and more control over finance.

"The people of Scotland strongly and enthusiastically participated in a remarkable democratic process and this has resulted in increased discussion on the devolution of powers from central government in Westminster and Whitehall.

"I am asking the county council's leadership and Surrey's MPs to grasp this once in a lifetime opportunity to lobby for urgent major devolution of power, including tax raising and spending, from central government, which would benefit Surrey's residents and businesses.

"It is only fair and equitable that England is treated in the same way as Scotland. We need to redress the balance by moving away from over centralised government to more decision making at a local level. Surrey residents and businesses want and deserve more control and influence over decisions that affect their everyday lives. Local people know and understand their own problems and are more likely to be able to find effective and cost effective solutions. Westminster is regarded as too remote and out of touch to tackle Surrey's local problems.

"Additional powers and funding that could be devolved and make a real difference to Surrey include:

· Let councils retain 100% of business rates growth without a corresponding cut in Revenue Support Grant, further incentivising councils to grow local economies.

· Let councils set locally appropriate fees, charges and subsidies, including public transport subsidies, enabling councils to support those who need it.

· Extend councils powers to challenge underperforming academies and free schools.

· Give all councils in England the same traffic management powers as London and Wales.

· Devolve underperforming national youth engagement schemes to councils to boost teenage participation in education and training.

"Given more freedom and powers Surrey could make more effective decisions and have the necessary funding to implement them. We cannot continue with micromanagement of Surrey from the corridors of Westminster and Whitehall."

ENDS

NOTE

MEETING OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL - 14 OCTOBER 2014

NOTICE OF MOTION

Mrs Hazel Watson (Dorking Hills) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows:

'Council notes:

• The strong and enthusiastic participation shown by the people of Scotland in a remarkable democratic process leading to the Referendum on 18 September;

• The resulting increased discussion on the devolution of powers from central government in Westminster and Whitehall.

Council believes:

• That power should be devolved to the people in all parts of the United Kingdom;

• That England is currently ruled by an over-centralised state that fails to reflect localities and regions;

• That concentrating more power to English MPs in Westminster is not the answer for English devolution and that passing power down to local areas of England is essential.

Council therefore calls for:

Surrey's MPs, the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet to lobby for urgent major devolution of power, including tax raising and spending, from central government to the regions, counties, boroughs & districts and cities of England.

And that such lobbying should emphasise:

That the devolution of powers and finance to English councils be carried out in ways that enhance and strengthen local democratic bodies. This must include agreement that it shall be for local people and communities to decide their form of democratic leadership without having a specific model imposed (for example directly elected Mayors) in return for more powers;

A recognition that English devolution must include both large cities and county areas, as the many councils not within city regions must also gain greater powers and finance in order to build successful and prosperous futures.'