A radical shake-up of local government unveiled by minister Ruth Kelly in a White Paper yesterday has brought a mixed reaction. Here the Examiner's ANDREW BALDWIN assesses the views of Clr Robert Light, the Conservative Leader of Kirklees Council

NEW proposals for local government have the potential to free up town halls from red tape and bureaucratic targets, says the leader of Kirklees Council.

Tory councillor Robert Light is welcoming some of the key aspects of a Government White Paper as giving councils more freedom to work with local people to provide quality services.

The White Paper seeks to significantly strengthen leadership and devolve powers to local government, and give local people more influence on local decisions that affect their lives.

Clr Light says: "Clearly we will have to look at the details of the White Paper, but the general thrust to move towards devolving more powers, influence and control to local level is very much to be welcomed.

"Kirklees has for many years been a national leader in partnership and joint working. Devolution, neighbourhood and partnership working, area committees, and involving local people in decisions that impact on their lives, are well established.

"The announcement says that Government wants to build a better relationship between central government, local government and citizens to give more freedoms and powers for local government and local people to shape their own communities. No-one can argue with that, and it is an issue that local government has been pressing for some time.

"The previous obsession on targets has resulted in local councils having to concentrate on meeting targets that might not be appropriate to local needs and priorities, and 'ticking boxes' to that effect.

"I particularly welcome the move away from this and giving councils, and those with whom they work at local level, the freedom to decide at local level what is best for local people."

The White Paper has put forward three models for stronger leadership:

* Directly elected mayor with a four-year term

* Directly elected executive of councillors with a four-year term - alongside electing a mayor or council leader, with voters also electing the council's cabinet

* Council leader with a four-year term - voters elect councillors, and then councillors choose the council leader. This is the present system in Kirklees.

Clr Light said: "There will no doubt be differing views on these models, and I look forward to discussing them with councillors across the council as we consider the detailed implications of the White Paper.

"Similarly, among the proposals are ideas to strengthen the regional presence by promoting big cities as the regional leaders. In our case that would be Leeds.

"While all councils, and the towns and cities within their boundaries, benefit from a strong region, the balance has to be achieved that ensures that strengthening the role and regional voice of the big cities is not at the expense of other towns and cities in that catchment area.

"Again, West Yorkshire councils and regional agencies have well established networks and joint ways of working. We need to build on those strengths to the benefit of all our residents."

* Councils will operate one of three leadership systems: a directly elected mayor; a directly elected mayor working alongside a directly elected cabinet; or directly elected councillors who then select a leader.

* Local authorities are to be given powers to pass byelaws without reference to Whitehall, and will be able to use fixed penalty notices to enforce them.

* The number of centrally-set performance indicators and targets will be slashed from around 1,200 to around 235 - not including statutory education and child care targets.

* Overview and scrutiny committees on councils will be given more powers to review the performance of key public bodies - such as police and hospitals.

* The Government will support the establishment of "forums on extremism" in areas of the country "where they are considered necessary".