LRA and local councils

LRA is, by its constitution, a non-party political organisation. We became involved in local government as the best means of finding what is happening and of influencing the future of our town. We believe that local government should be managed with openness, accountability, financial prudence and effectiveness.
LRA councillors act as Independents within their councils, taking account of the aims and policies of LRA, but making decisions according to their individual consciences and their knowledge of the wishes of the residents of their wards. At LRA committee meetings County and District councillors are not permitted to vote on LRA policy or issues.

Localism Act
The Government’s flagship Localism Bill has completed its passage through Parliament and has gained Royal Assent. The bill has caused controversy on a number of grounds, and we will await the details of how it will be put into practice before reaching any conclusions (although almost every past attempt to “decentralise” central government seems to have had the opposite effect!). More.

(Re-)Register to Vote. By law everyone eligible to vote must be on the electoral register, and to do that the annual canvass of electors must be completed. Not filling in the form could get you a £1,000 fine and a criminal record and prevent you from voting in local and national elections.   LRA is grateful to all those who vote for us in local elections. www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/elections

Which council does what?

Essex County Council
Education, highways, social services, the environment, libraries, fire service, police, youth services, transportation, trading standards

Epping Forest District Council
Public health and environmental services, planning and building control (see Planning Applications), waste collection and recycling, drainage, housing, leisure services

Loughton Town Council
Cemeteries, playgrounds, allotments, public open spaces, planning applications (consulted by District Council)

Epping Forest Youth Council consists of 23 democratically elected young people, 13 to 19 years old, living in the Epping Forest District. They meet monthly to discuss issues important to young people. The Council is non-party political. Youth Councillors are regularly consulted with by the providers of key services for young people. For more information about Youth Council work or to get in touch with a Youth Councillor about an issue please contact Diane Butler, the Young Persons’ Officer, efyc@eppingforestdc.gov.uk, 01992 564 365, 0778 937 2179 or  www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/efyc

Where do council taxes go?
Epping Forest District Council, on behalf of all three levels of local government, collects the (combined) council tax from residents. This is how it is distributed:

84% goes to the County Council. This amount is set by the Conservative-controlled Essex County Council, and includes charges for the fire service and the police service.
12% goes to the District Council
4% goes to the Town Council

Council tax bands.  
If you have questions, go to www.voa.gov.uk for information on how bands are determined and what to do if you disagree with your banding.

Local authority performance comparisons.
The http://oneplace.direct.gov.uk/  website features the results of the comprehensive area assessment, based on the collective assessment of six independent inspectorates. It assesses how local public services are performing in England, if they provide value for money and where they could improve.

How cuts proposed by the new Government will affect you!
The new Government has been announcing various measures to cut expenditure, including local government expenditure. Together with a freeze on next year’s Council tax, this will result in reductions in services, and as much local government spending is mandatory, this will inevitably mean sharp cuts in the remainder. LRA's District and County Councillors will be watching their councils’ proposals closely – we already run a very tight ship at the Town Council.

As an example, Essex County Council has said that in the current financial climate it cannot commit to filling the current funding gap for the redevelopment of St John’s School, Epping. Central government is currently reviewing the expenditure plans and funding proposals that it inherited from the last government. These decisions will impact upon Essex County Council’s funding streams and allocation of resources. Until the spending review is completed they cannot give any commitment to meeting the funding gap at St John’s School; however council officers will be working with the school, the diocese and the potential developers to see if there are any alternative solutions and ways of meeting the funding shortfall. This is likely to be the first of many such cut-backs.

All about your area!
The profile for your ward is at http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/council_services/planning/forward_planning/forward_planning_publications.asp

To find out which ward you’re in, go to the Electoral Commission website then

• click on Enter site
• click on Postcode search
• enter postcode, and click on Go
• click on Epping Forest District
• click on Show layers
• click on the box next to ward, and drag map to the road you want to check – use the zoom if necessary.

Council spending goes online
District and County Council payments for goods, services and works over £500 are now available to view online:

• District
• County