The General Power of Competence was extended to parish and town councils by virtue of Localism Act 2011. The power allows a council that meets the statutory conditions to do anything that an individual may generally do.

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The General Power of Competence which is an uncapped power of expenditure also becomes the power of first resort.

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The conditions of eligibility to exercise the power are:

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• That two thirds of the councils members are elected either at the last ordinary election or by subsequent by-election.

• That the councils clerk holds a relevant qualification for the purpose of the Act and has passed Module 7 of the CiLCA 2012.

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Sudbury Town Council has passed a resolution to confirm that it meets the statutory conditions and become one of the first councils in the county to adopt the power.