Call to give councils greater powers
Author: Local Government Chronicle - Feb 8, 2010
Councils should be given stronger powers to hold local service providers to account, the House of Commons has been told.
David Chaytorsaid greater scrutiny would help "drive up standards" for local people.
Introducing his Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill, Mr Chaytor said that in the past the quality of many services had been allowed to decline and "lines of accountability" had become confused.
The Bill, which has Government backing, would force service providers to justify their actions in public and respond to recommendations by the local authority’s scrutiny committee. It could be applied to energy companies, when they dig up local roads, or even to bus and train operators regarding services and facilities.
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