"Bring power back to the town hall" - Stunell

9.49.38am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 7th Jul 2006

Yesterday, Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell told local government leaders from around the country that it is time to bring power and responsibility back from Whitehall to town halls.

Speaking at the Local Government Association annual conference, Mr Stunell told council leaders:

"It is ridiculous that how much towns like Stockport can spend on schools and road repairs is dictated by people living 200 miles away who probably don't even know where we are on the map."

He called for a major switch to fair taxation for local services, based on ability to pay:

"Council tax is deeply unfair. Countless pensioners and hard working families struggle to pay their bills every month. I want to see a fairer system based on people's ability to pay."

Stockport Council leader, Brian Millard and Chief Exec, John Shultz, were amongst the 400 councillors and senior council officers from all over the country who listened to Mr Stunell's address. ENDS