Member

As it stands, town and parish councils have their hands tied when it comes to supporting community assets. Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 gives a power of last resort for councils to act when no other statutory power applies. However, there are strict controls around it, including a spending cap of just £11.10 per elector—a serious limit on councils’ ability to intervene usefully. I am delighted that Horsham people and councillors have just voted to set up a new town council, ready to take on and protect community assets, but they will have to do so with a much smaller tax base than currently, which is a challenge.