Commons Vote for People Power

4.33.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Jun 2007

A Bill that would empower Cornwall's local communities has made significant Parliamentary progress today, after receiving a successful Third Reading in the House of Commons.

Cornwall's MPs have long argued that a Sustainable Communities Bill is needed in order to allow local people to identify local solutions to local problems such as the increasing number of second homes. The Bill takes a "bottom-up" approach to Government, giving people a greater say over how Local and Central Government money was spent in their areas - and to change priorities if they felt they were misguided.

Speaking after the Commons debate, Julia Goldsworthy MP, who first presented the Bill to Parliament in the last session said:

"Since becoming an MP, I have been actively involved with the campaign to get this Bill on the Statute Book and I feel very proud that it has now received the support of the House of Commons.

"This Bill will empower Cornwall's local communities by giving people a greater say in how they are run. It will also ensure that we are able to see how public money is being spent in our county through the various government initiatives and other unelected quangos, making the governance of our county far more accountable and transparent."

Dan Rogerson, MP for North Cornwall and a member of the Parliamentary committee which has scrutinised the Bill over the last 6 months added:

"Today is a significant moment in our campaign to empower local communities. Cornwall too often gets a raw deal because central government thinks it knows best. This Bill aims to reverse that trend and ensure local people are able to decide what is best for their area. It could, for example, give people the power to limit the number of second homes in their communities.

"Unlike recent legislation that has been presented to Parliament, this Bill shows what can really be achieved through consensus. The Sustainable Communities Bill will benefit all communities, across the country."

The Bill will now be scrutinised in the House of Lords.