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The council view as possible to the people affected. determine the services that they referendum? Will a consultation
That is at the heart of the current
process be able to have the same
will provide and the cost that will
on parishing Government’s localism agenda. be added to the precept. impact as a referendum in getting
Having the whole of the borough Parish councils are part of our the people’s voice heard?
parished would contribute to democratic fabric and have been Any referendum or poll on the
that. Having more democratically so since before Swindon Borough Community Governance Review
elected representatives will ensure Council existed. Parishes councils would not be binding. A binding
accountability for any decisions were first elected in December referendum needs to be sanctioned
made. 1894, six years before the borough by express powers such as
Parishes would provide more council. It is an historical anomaly those relating to council tax, or
variety and competition. Residents from the 19th Century that neighbourhood planning. No such
would see what facilities other boroughs were not required to have statutory powers exist.
areas offer and ask for similar of or retain parish councils. So far as the power to hold an
their own parish. It would allow Furthermore, the Cabinet report advisory poll is concerned, section
different parts of the borough to be of 9 December shows how the 116 of the Local Government Act
more distinctive and celebrate their council is facing increased demand 2003 states that a local authority
individuality. for its care services, mostly from may conduct a poll to ascertain the
If parishes buy services such as demographic pressures. At the views of those polled about any
Swindon Borough Council leader grass cutting, it supports the local same time the government grant matter relating to services provided
David Renard gives us his point of economy as small and medium is being reduced and our ability to in pursuance of the authority’s
view about parishing. enterprises will find it easier to raise taxes or charges is limited. functions, or the authority’s
bid. The huge size of the borough The law, the inspection regimes expenditure on such services. A
It is important to note that Council’s contracts, along with and the courts require councils like community governance review
Swindon Council has no proposals the relevant EU and other tender Swindon to put Adult Social Care is neither of those things so it is
to introduce new parishes at this requirements means that only a and Children’s Services first. doubtful whether s116 applies in
time. All the council has voted for few large firms can bid. Smaller We need to find £20m of savings any event.
is to start a Community Governance contracts will allow for greater for 2016/17 and we have only As far as any Community
Review that will include a competition, better value, and lower identified about £17.4m. Doing Governance Review is concerned,
consultation on changes to existing prices. nothing is not an option for the there is no specific provision in
parishes as well as the possibility of What will this mean for council borough. With or without parishes the legislation providing for a
creating new ones. tax bills with a parish council there will be cuts. However, those referendum to be held and the
How will Swindon benefit from precept being added on to their areas with parishes may be able legislation provides that the
parishing? existing bills? Is this a way of to pay to provide some things like decision following a Community
It is a core democratic principle that Swindon Council shedding costs? grass cutting locally. Governance Review is to be made
decisions should be made as close It will be up to each parish to What are the objections to a by the borough council.

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