A LAW designed to give local councils control over their budgets and put the power back into communities has been backed by West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox. The Sustainable Communities Bill was introduced by conservative MP Nick Hurd in Westminster last week, when it received its second reading. The bill will help local councils to secure the future of local villages. The bill, which has a cross party support from more than 350 MPs but is opposed by the Government, requires 100 votes for it to move to committee — the next stage of becoming a law. Mr Cox said: 'I am delighted to support my colleague's bill. After Nick won the ballot I was very pleased when he decided to promote the Sustainable Communities Bill. 'Real interest in the campaign has been sparked by parish and town councils who are desperate to be allowed to use their knowledge and experience on the group to develop and support the services most critical to sustaining our rural communities.' Mr Cox said he was impressed by the number of letters he had received from constituents who are keen to take advantage of power the bill would provide to villages and towns. 'If we are serious about saving our local communities, it is of vital importance we develop power to town and parish councils and make them real partners in our efforts, and the bill would go some way to achieving this,' said Mr Cox.
