Local communities should be set free say Lib Dems

5.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 15th Sep 2006

Gordon Brown has blocked plans to devolve more powers to local councils. Liberal Democrat Shadow Local Government Secretary, Andrew Stunell MP said: "Gordon Brown has today made it clear Labour stands for 'double cross' rather than 'double devolution' when it comes to our town halls. We need to set our local communities free to address the issues they will face in the 21st century. That's why we're proposing an unprecedented transfer of power back to local government at our party conference next week. The Government should scrap council tax, return business rates to local control, and bring quangos under democratic control. Local government doesn't need further micromanagement from the Treasury."