Those with local government jobs need to have more power to drive change in their community, if public confidence in the political process is to be restored, it has been claimed.

Speaking at a Local Government Association conference, communities secretary John Denham, states that many residents do not feel their views are being taken into account by their local authority and that they lack the power to have any influence on things which affect their day-to-day lives.

"Every citizen has the right to have a say over the services they use - whether that be through more personalised services, by directly influencing the way things are run or lobbying councils directly," he asserts.

As such, Mr Denham claims local authorities need to have more control over their areas, meaning central government must be prepared to let go of some of its existing powers and that councils need to become more accountable for theirs."

Consequently, he reveals a new consultation is to take place to consider how more power can be extended to local councils and ensuring that they are able to have a say in how all public money spent in their area is used.

The secretary’’s comments follow housing minster John Healey’’s recent proposal to abolish the Housing Revenue Subsidy System and replace it with a programme which would allow local authorities to keep all rental income coming in from their residential developments and to make their own decisions based on local need.

Under the programme there would be a greater focus on self-financing.

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