Enabling Communities

Last weekend I went to the village barbecue. It was held in an open field complete with potholes, muddy puddles, piles of earth, brambles and stinging nettles, and it was next to the main road. The children were having a great time with plenty of space and opportunities to run about, scream and shout, play hide and seek, ride bikes, play cricket and generally sustain scratches and bruises. And yes it was done with the necessary insurance in place.

My husband bumped into an old friend who was bemoaning the difficulties of voluntary community leaders. In particular he mentioned the dreaded Criminal Records Board (CRB) check and the cost of it, in order to organise games of football.

At the presentation of a prestigious award to a local voluntary group I met an organiser who was having trouble finding volunteers to help with a lunch group for the elderly.

Our Parish Council used to have a working party to help keep footpaths clear. We no longer do this due to the requirement for large amounts of insurance and form filling.

There are other examples but have we not lost the plot?

As a Liberal Democrat campaigner I meet plenty of apathy on the door step but on the other hand I also meet plenty of people who want to freely help others.

The current Labour government has spent a great deal of parliamentary time and money in setting frameworks and targets. It has however failed to put the power in the hands of ordinary people, in communities, where there is a wish to get things done.

Liberal Democrats have a manifesto commitment to implement the devolution of power to parish, town and community councils so that the right people are making the right decisions. Together with that, we will ensure the finance is available to implement those decisions.