of London Labour Party MICHAEL HESELTINE has decided to take further powers Labour-controlled in order to massive cut-backs in the social At the moment the government is moving against Lothian Council in Scotland with their new powers which apply only to Scottish councils.
Heseltine plans to announce the Queen's Speech November measures prevent increasing rates in order to avoid cuts in services and jobs. he says ne does not want 'Lothian' style Limit Instead he proposes to give himself power to set a limit on Comercineases ano thus force more of the burden oni amesi rarepayers. ne will also have power to fix a percentuse increase limit comestic rates.
Thus councils would face massive cuts or bankruptcy. The only way out for councils would be a supplementary rate.
borrowing cover deficit would be illegal.
But before a council could have a supplementary rate they would have to either hold a referendum ine dissolve the whole council and force hold a full election.
He facing within government and the civil service and also from some for councils so that his plans may vet be amended.
But there can be no that we are entering the final phase of the struggle with the Tories. Either we or Heseltine must eventually lose. powers would prevent a judging of the issue.
We must mobilise total opposition in an attempt to prevent this legislation passing Ine carry nas a maior role 1o play in this campaign but it also has to decide strategy. We will be forced into massive unless aereal new legislation as it makes its way through parliament.
We therefore call on the anente conference to set aside time for a major debate on this crisis and to call on all Labour-controlled authorities, CLPs, oppositioil campaign of the attertion to the devastating ef services and creasing the level of unemployfinally ap- miere.
doubt cuts;
The new *the National Executive Committee and Labour Party penalties and lift bans imposed under the powers of the district auditor; *the PLP to take all measures necessary to delay and disrupt wider parliamentary business in order to prevent the passing of this bankruptcy Heseltine's legislation; *the trade unions to launch a campaign of industrial action to support the PLP and to give clear commitment Heseltine gets his new powers and forces bankruptcy then they will support those councils defending Jos ana ser vices. *the party to mobilise urgently local Labour Groups, fail to defeat affiliated organisations and trade unions in a concerted opposition to Heseltine's legislation, drawing devastating.
fects it will have on vital council Choice massively in*Labour councillors and those about to seek election in 1982 to jobs MEUSIVE commit themselves not to make redundancies)
vecoming Parliamentary to /colore ment. dilemma cillors.
Labour that into auditor.
It is vital that the whole movement is aware that if we Heseltine's new legislation as it goes through then the , options before Labour councils will be We would face a choice between Labour councils making cuts in services and (including compulsory or "bankrupt' and calling on the trade unions for a major campaign of industrial action to defeat the governThe only alternative to this would mass resignation by Labour counFinally, on the return of a government PLP to undertake to effect the repeal of the Heseltine legislation, and undertake to restore penalties and lift bans imposed uniuer ine powers Of ine uistrici PAMPHLET Copies available from 'Rates pamphlet', PO Box 50, London N1. 25p each plus postage. Bulk orders 10 and over 20p a copy.
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CONFERENCE GLC Labour group paper passed by Regional executive
no cuts, Rob Jones Socialist Challenge