Prime Minister David Cameron has defended the governments localism agenda in the face of claims that government waste policy runs counter to it.
On BBC Radio Fours Today Programme this morning (April 19), Mr Cameron was asked about how the localism agenda tallied with government bans on councils introducing charges at recycling centres.
He was also questioned over how it relates to reported moves to stop councils fining residents for waste collection offences (see letsrecycle.com story).
Mr Cameron admitted to not knowing the specific details of the situation referred to by his interviewer Evan Davis at Coleford, which is one of four recycling centres in Somerset which residents must now pay a fee to use (see letsrecycle.com story).
But, he stressed the importance of having to protect people from excessive charging, and said that, even with its commitment to localism, government still wanted to make some decisions.
And, he highlighted the moves government was making which he said would devolve more power to councils. He said: A lot of money goes to local government with ring-fencing on it and were taking this ring-fencing off and saying to local authorities effectively its your money; you spend it as you choose.
Funding
He added: I think generally speaking if you speak to colleagues in local government therell say this government has cut our funding and were upset about that but they would say they are taking off the strings on a lot of the money were given and theres giving us new powers.
You have got to see the bigger picture. Were giving local authorities the general power of competence which means they can go out and fix problems that need fixing and do things that need to be done.
Mr Cameron also claimed that the localism agenda meant great talents would want to work in local government, because they would be able to see it was an area where they could get things done.
Somersets decision to introduce charges was slated by communities secretary Eric Pickles, who questioned its legality(see letsrecycle.com story).
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