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THE power of parish councils has been debated long and hard for a number of years, with all parties and interests suggesting that parishes being given greater responsibility is a good idea - as a means of involving more people in the decisions that affect their local communities.

But despite all the fine words, action by Government has been slow in coming until now - with Communities Secretary Hazel Blears this week announcing the imminent publication of an "Empowerment White Paper" designed to reinvigorate local democracy.

In a speech to local parish council representatives, she promised a range of measures which she suggested would make real difference to the status of parishes.

These included the ability to co-opt local experts for particular projects and a new "wellbeing"

power, which in some undefined way would enable parishes to make decisions about key developments within their area such as town or village centre development or support for community bus and train services.

The detail of how this will work will be eagerly awaited in some communities, for many local councils feel acute frustration at their views being ignored by higher authorities.

How many times has the irritation of parish councils been recorded after objections have been summarily overruled? It is a common complaint expressed by parish council chairmen who make the point that such disregard by district and county councils has only served to undermine the role and status of parishes.

In Durham City, the new powers will be looked at particularly carefully. The creation of a unitary county council has created a vacuum which will be filled by a new local authority for the city and possibly its suburbs.

That new authority will not have the power and money of the old city council but it should have more scope to act than an ordinary parish council.

The relationship with the new county will be intriguing too. Will the old enmity of the previous city/county authorities persist, or will they work well together?

The key issue is where the balance of power will lie. Clearly, parishes, or new city councils, cannot be given the power of veto over everything that happens on their turf but the pivot point certainly needs moving in their favour.

Of course, more responsibility has to be accompanied with additional resource to discharge duties effectively and that is, at present, another unknown.

11:14am Friday 23rd May 2008

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