NATIONAL politicians have been given a lesson in the so-called “Big Society” by community leaders from North Dorset.

MPs on the House of Commons select committee for communities and local government called on members of the district’s award-winning community partnerships for some advice as they considered the government’s new Localism Bill.

Mark Hebditch, who masterminded the £6 million transformation of Gillingham’s leisure centre, said: “As far as the Localism Bill is concerned, I think nearly all the ‘new things’ it proposes are things we have already done, or are doing – and doing in a better way than the government has in mind.”

Committee members quizzed North Dorset delegates on the council’s Tough Choices policy, which has devolved responsibility for street cleaning, leisure centres, and public conveniences to town and parish councils.

Cllr David Milsted, Liberal Democrat group leader at North Dorset District Council, said some MPs had been shocked by the degree of control local people now had over their services.

“One in particular seemed quite astonished to learn that this meant real power for local communities and not just some sort of consultation,” he said.