Memorandum by Bedfordshire Councils Planning
Consortium (RG 96)
The Bedfordshire Councils Planning Consortium
who are opposed to regional government contacted the following
councils with regards to the regional government inquiry. Their
views are listed below:
LIDLINGTON PARISH
COUNCIL
My Council considered this statement at its
meeting last evening and agreed to support the Bedfordshire Council's
Planning Consortium. My Council feels that regional government
is just another tier to contend with and should not have control
over local planning issues. These are for local councils—parishes,
district and in some cases, counties—not for other levels.
Colin West, Clerk
SUNDON PARISH
COUNCIL
We are totally opposed to this policy for the
following reasons:
Local planning authorities must make the decisions
as to where housing or other development is to take place following
consultation with the local people by whom they were elected.
The decisions must not be made by unelected bodies.
A typical example is the provision of a North
Luton by pass where representation from local parish councils
is excluded and decisions made by large town councils that do
not represent those most affected.
The situation gets worse and more alarming when
one considers the East of England regional plan and little input
from local people. The Government's stated policy of devolving
power to local people and parish councils does not appear to be
a reality.
BROGBOROUGH PARISH
COUNCIL
I am writing to confirm that Brogborough Parish
Council supports the Bedfordshire Planning Consortium in opposing
an unelected regional government.
L C Lyman (Mrs), Clerk
HULCOTE AND
SALFORD PARISH
COUNCIL
With reference to ODPM Regional Government,
the Hulcote and Salford Parish Council oppose an unelected regional
government but if they were elected, we would reconsider.
L C Lyman (Mrs), Clerk
CLOPHILL PARISH
COUNCIL
I am writing to confirm that Clophill Parish
Council supports the Bedfordshire Planning Consortium in opposing
an unelected regional government.
L C Lyman (Mrs), Clerk
MARSTON MORETEYNE
PARISH COUNCIL
I write to confirm that Marston Parish Council
supports the Bedfordshire Planning Consortium in saying no to
Regional Government.
Mrs H Trustam, Parish
Clerk
WOOTTON PARISH
COUNCIL
On behalf of Wootton Parish Council I am writing
to give support to the view that we should say no to regional
government. We believe that:
(a) Unelected bodies should not run our planning
systems etc.
(b) We need local people to take care of
our villages, town centres, etc.
(c) We already have too many tiers of government
(ie parish, district and county).
Bob Wallace, Chairman
4CRANFIELD
We object to the proposals to form regional
government with unelected bodies. Elected bodies are answerable
to the people that they represent who can choose to support them
with a free vote; an unelected regional assembly would be devoid
of such accountability.
ALICE CRAMPIN,
BEDFORDSHIRE CPRE
I agree strongly to saying no to unelected bodies
running our planning systems etc, although the elected often seem
to need regulating these days!
I do not support regional government even if
it were elected. I do support the traditional counties as I think
they are still meaningful in people's minds and could be more
so—whatever Prescott says.
I think the West Lothian question needs seriously
addressing, however.
ALSO IN
SUPPORT OF
BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL'S
PLANNING CONSORTIUM—TO
SAY NO
TO REGIONAL
GOVERNMENT
Chalgrave Parish Council.
Harlington Parish Council.
Moulsoe Parish Council.
Woburn Sands District Society.
Simon Denchfield, Independent Biggleswade Resident.
CRANFIELD PARISH
COUNCIL
After discussions relating to the regional government
inquiry members expressed views as follows:
Six members rejected regional government.
Although they did not want to dismiss regional
government out of hand, five members said that the question would
only be comprehensible with more information.
One member abstained.
Rosie Davey-Hunt, Clerk
of the Council
KEMPSTON TOWN
COUNCIL
The future of regional government was duly discussed
by Kempston Town Council at the meeting held on 14 March 2006.
It was agreed that Kempston Town Council would
emphatically not support the abolition of regional government.
The Regional Planning Panel has delivered considerable
benefits to the area, including the Western Bypass and the dualling
of the A421. Also, the Growth Area Funding (GAF2) is £12.5
million for Bedford Borough with an additional £2.1 million
for the rest of Bedfordshire.
As you are aware, the current Regional Planning
Panel replaced the original Regional Planning Council. All representatives
on the Regional Planning Panel are elected either as councillors
for their own Authorities, or are representing the voluntary sector
as elected by the members of those organisations.
Can you please ensure that when presenting the
view of all the local communities, the above views of Kempston
Town Council, representing the people of Kempston, are also expressed
clearly.
Lynda Smith, Town Clerk
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