Labour has denounced the Government's flagship Localism Bill as a "sham", claiming it will give ministers more than 100 new powers over local authorities, while placing new burdens on councils. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said the Bill will shift power from central government into the hands of individuals, communities and councils around England. But his Labour shadow Caroline Flint said that the Bill would in fact hand Mr Pickles a range of new powers including:
*Setting the timing of mayoral elections and shortening the length of a mayor's term;
*Regulating the appointment of assistants to elected mayors;
*Forcing a council to switch from a committee system to a mayor and cabinet, or directing it to hold a referendum on such a change;
*Setting principles on what constitutes an "excessive" rise in council tax;
*Setting the threshold for petitions to trigger a local referendum.
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