Cameron's Democracy 'Lite'

[TonyGosling]

Tories to use 'easyJet' council as test for no-frills government
By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 12:51 AM on 29th August 2009

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Radical move: David Cameron will be watching the no-frills approach to local government

A Tory council is to emulate budget airlines such as easyJet by charging ratepayers extra for 'premium' services currently provided for free.
David Cameron is expected to look closely at Barnet Council's 'no frills' plan to reduce council tax bills by restricting what services people get automatically.
Residents will be able to jump the queue for planning consents by paying extra, in the same way that budget airlines charge more for priority boarding.
But Labour say it shows the Conservatives would introduce a 'Ryanair world', with public services pared down to the bone and only the rich able to access good service.
Public spending is set to be a key battleground at the next election, with Labour accusing the Tories of planning to slash services to avoid raising tax in the wake of the downturn.
Last night communities secretary John Denham said: 'While it is one thing to put up with Ryanair's level of service for a couple of hours, no one wants to live in a Ryanair world.
'The big challenge for local councils over coming years is to protect high quality front-line services for everyone. This shows that Cameron's Tories are not even going to try and only want those who can pay twice to get decent services.'
Mike Freer, leader of the council in north London, which has been nicknamed 'easyCouncil', said: 'Some things will be cheap and cheerful and in other areas we will provide full services.'



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