MP WARNS ON 'BONFIRE OF REGULATIONS' - Vulnerable could be at risk from safeguards shake-up, says Karen Buck

Published: 03 June 2011
by JOSH LOEB

THE leader of Westminster Council has told the West End Extra he will back a controversial “bonfire of red tape” that critics say will put some of the borough’s most vulnerable people at risk.

Colin Barrow said he supported plans by Hammersmith & Fulham council to scrap “needless bureaucracy” that includes regular inspections of foster carers and the local authority crime and homelessness strategy.

Westminster Council is joining forces with the local authority and Kensington & Chelsea in a “triborough”.

But Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, said vulnerable people would be put at risk if the “common-sense measures” were ditched.

In a letter to Westminster chief executive Mike More, she said: “Everyone wants to streamline bureaucracy, but this must not be done in a way which compromises democracy or risks a lowering of standards of protection for people who need it.”

In a submission to the government Hammersmith & Fulham has listed 100 town hall regulations “that should be scrapped” including:

• carrying out inspections of foster carers who look after children in need;

• a strategy for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping;

• crime and disorder strategic assessment establishing policing priorities; and

• advertising licensing applications and variations and posting on-site notices.

Ms Buck added: “Within this list of regulations Westminster’s partner authority wants to scrap are dozens of common-sense measures which ensure proper accountability for the use of public money, and proper safeguarding for vulnerable people”.

Cllr Barrow said yesterday (Thursday) that he supported the “bonfire of red tape”, adding: “Needless bureaucracy costs Westminster Council almost £1million a year, enough to cover the salaries of 26 teachers, 28 social workers or 44 street-cleaners. We also have to provide Whitehall with more than 2,500 separate pieces of data covering everything from noise, planning and pollution to food safety, rubbish collection and parking. We urgently need a bonfire of red tape if we are to end the waste and duplication that much of the public sector has unfortunately become synonymous for.”

When the city council’s triborough merger plan was announced last year the project was attacked by opposition councillors who warned it could lead to less accountability. 

The plans will see hundreds of jobs axed by merging children’s services departments.