Memorandum by Sheringham Town Council
(DRA 04)
The following observations have been drawn up
by two former Chairmen on behalf of this Authority.
PAGE 3 OF
21—PROCESS FOR
ESTABLISHING ELECTED
REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES
Concern is expressed that in areas voting YES
to a Regional Assembly, the proposed two tier structure leaves
no indication of any future role for Town and Parish Councils.
Such proposals could lead to even relatively minor local government
responsibilities (such as the Burial Authority) becoming more
remote from the Electorate.
PAGE 5 OF
21—DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY
It is recommended that membership should be
set at the upper end of the projected 25/35 membership; so as
to enable Electors to more readily identify with a local representative.
Electoral arrangements should be based on local
constituencies for two thirds of the Membership.
CONSTITUTION AND
STRUCTURE OF
ELECTED REGIONAL
ASSEMBLIES
Recommended that membership of small executive
should reflect the political balance of the Assembly.
PAGE 7/21—STAKEHOLDER
INVOLVEMENT
Stakeholders co-opted to serve on a Review/Monitoring
Committee with the same rights and duties as elected members should
be subjected to the Code of Conduct and Local Government Act of
2000.
PAGE 17/21—FUNDING
OF ELECTED
REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES
The Bill should include a restriction on the
powers to raise additional funds from a precept on the council
tax in a similar manner to restrictions placed on the taxation
powers of the Scottish Executive.
This restriction to exclude the projected costs
of running the elected assembly.
Cherry Ashton
Town Clerk
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