Parish councillors have been told they have an important part to play in reinvigorating local democracy. The Communities and Local Government Secretary, Hazel Blears, used a speech to members of the National Association of Local Councils to outline a vision of a new era of ‘parish power’.
The Secretary of State said parish councils would have a real purpose in modern society, far from the perception of them as outdated, 19th century institutions. 

Local authority Trading Standards Officers are warning rogue traders that they will face tough action under new powers that will come into force next week. LACORS, which coordinates trading standards work across the country, says scam artists, cowboy builders and doorstep criminals are facing the biggest shake-up to consumer law in decades. 

Communities and Local Government wants suggestions on how it can make the commitment to empowerment a reality through the Empowerment White Paper, due to be published in Summer 2008. It describes empowerment as helping citizens and communities to get the confidence, skills and power that helps them to shape and influence decisions and services in their local area.