10:08am Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Alex Hayes
THE MP for Hendon has called for a new Bill to give greater scrutiny powers to councils to let them review the activities of companies such as First Capital Connect.
Andrew Dismore made the call during the debate on Friday on the Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill in the House of Commons.
Thousands of passengers in his constituency were delayed after train drivers implemented a 'work to rule strategy' from November to mid-January on the Thameslink line, which serves Mill Hill and Hendon stations.
He also raised the issue of looking at decisions like Barnet Council's proposed sheltered housing warden cuts, which were thrown out after an appeal to the High Court by campaigners but are now back on the table.
He said: “I was very pleased to see this Bill receive its Second Reading, as I believe it very much strengthens the powers of scrutiny of local government, and one particular issue I believe needs rapid attention is public transport in general, and with particular reference to Thameslink.
“Similar arrangements should apply to London Underground Northern Line, too.
“However, this can only be half the story, and I believe we should also have similar provisions to scrutinise and review decisions of local government in certain circumstances, such as the appalling decision of Barnet Council to cut the sheltered housing warden service.”
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