Taxpayers’ Union claims ratepayer win as unelected appointees lose council voting rights

The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming an amendment to the Local Government (Systems Improvements) Bill restricting voting rights to elected members only, calling it a major win for ratepayers and local democracy.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“This is a victory for ratepayers after years of campaigning by the Taxpayers’ Union and our sister organisations.”

“We have consistently called out councils handing voting power to unelected appointees, including Hastings District Council giving youth members voting rights - a decision we highlighted with our infamous bouncy castle stunt - which went on to win the Jonesies Local Government Waste Award.”

“The principle is obvious: if you are voting on how ratepayers’ money is spent, you should have to answer to those ratepayers at the ballot box. Anything else waters down democratic accountability.”

“Cameron Luxton proposed this amendment last year, and it is good to see the Government finally moving to close this accountability loophole.”

“But the job is not finished. If the Bill can be amended to protect voting rights, then it can and should be amended to protect elected members’ right to information.”

“Councillors cannot properly scrutinise spending, challenge officials, or represent their communities if council bureaucracies can block or delay access to the information they need."

“This amendment is a strong step forward. Now Parliament should finish the job and make it clear that elected members have a guaranteed right to the information required to hold councils to account.”