Press Release
Rural watchdog welcomes local democracy recommendations
10 December 2007
The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) welcomes today's report from the Councillors Commission
www.communities.gov.uk/councillorscommission/publications/representingthefuture
CRC Chairman, Dr. Stuart Burgess said: "It contains many ideas and recommendations aimed at helping more people to serve as councillors and aims at helping them to be more effective once they become councillors. Councillors provide an essential link between communities and local decision-making . It is vital that councillors in all tiers are supported and strengthened as we move toward more devolved local decision-making. I am particularly pleased that Dame Jane Roberts' Commission has recognised the important role of parish councillors in representing more rural communities.
I am also very pleased to see considerations being made toward paying for parish-level elections and encouraging greater clarity around the roles of councillors. We look forward to seeing government responding positively to the Councillors Commission's recommendations."
The CRC has been conducting its own Participation Inquiry over the last few months. We have visited many rural communities to learn about how the role of local councillors can be strengthened to help achieve more for rural people. We have held useful discussions with Dame Jane Roberts and her commissioners during this period.
We will be reporting our conclusions and recommendations in the new year - bringing national, regional and local stakeholders together to discuss our findings and recommendations. In launching the report of our inquiry we hope to add helpful momentum to the positive steps the Councillors Commission has set out today.
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