31 August 2010
Plans to make it easier for councils to create new byelaws, or get rid of old ones, were announced by the government today.
Under the proposals, local authorities would be free to abolish byelaws and establish new ones without having to seek permission from Whitehall. Instead, they would only have to consult local residents.
Local government minister Grant Shapps said: ‘It should not take a rubber stamp from central government to scrap outdated local laws. For far too long, councils have had to jump through hoops just to get things done for residents. That’s why I want councils to use this new power I am offering them, and keep a watchful eye out for outdated rules that will soon be so much easier to scrap.’
Shapps added that residents should also be encouraged to contact their councils with ideas for new byelaws aimed at improving their areas. Again, no ministerial involvement would be needed.
The Local Government Association backed the move. ‘Councils are always anxious to reflect the wishes of their residents as far as possible and if this makes it easier to respond to the electorate, that’s got to be a good thing,’ an LGA spokeswoman said.
Gloucester City Council has unearthed 60 byelaws that it would like to revoke, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. These include one dating back to 1911 that requires domestic servants to register with the council and another from 1968 that regulates fish frying and ‘other offensive trades’.
