Biggest transfer of power into communities in a century welcomed by Marie Tidball MP

Marie Tidball, Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has welcomed ‘the biggest transfer of power to communities in a century’, as she votes in favour of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill Second Reading through Parliament.  

The new powers introduced by this Bill will raise living standards and improve services locally, permanently shifting power away from Whitehall into the hands of those who know our communities best.  

One measure in the Bill that will strengthen the voice of local communities in Penistone and Stocksbridge introduces new neighbourhood governance. Further, the Bill will create a new Community Right to Buy, allowing more local ownership of pubs, shops, and sports grounds.  

In recent years under the previous Conservative government, pubs like the Silver Fox in Stocksbridge and Pheasant in Dodworth have shut their doors permanently. Once this Bill is law, closures like these would be avertable – with communities stepping up to run their own pubs, supporting arrangements like the Miners Arms on Warren Lane.  

Small businesses and community groups will benefit from the Bill banning ‘upward-only’ rent reviews. Under current law, these clauses ensure rents can only ever go up or stay the same, locking emerging businesses out of the best parts of the high street.  

The Bill will also drive local economic growth, with new powers for Mayors such as South Yorkshire’s Oliver Coppard to attract investment and all-new Local Growth Plans, tailored to local people’s needs.  

Marie Tidball, Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said:  

“When I listen to constituents on the doorstep, I hear their frustration that decisions are made without local people being consulted. When a local pub or sports venue shuts its doors, it damages the bonds that bind our communities together.  “The Westminster system is part of the problem - too many decisions affecting too many people are made by too few. Taking back control is essential for our communities.   “The broken system allowed the Tories to neglect our communities, allowing our local community spaces to die off. They locked small businesses out of the high street by allowing exploitative contracts that virtually guaranteed year-on-year rent increases.   “This Bill will change all of that. It’s the biggest transfer of power to communities in a century. The strong sense of community in our local area means that I have no doubt that residents will step up and use the new Community Right to Buy.  “I very much look forward to seeing how residents in Penistone and Stocksbridge seize the opportunities that this Bill provides to further improve our communities.”