Sunday trading should be decided locally, says Councillor James Palmer, leader of East Cambs District Council

Sunday trading laws should be agreed locally according to an Ely councillor who is one of 102 across the country lobbying the Government to hand power to individual councils.

Councillor James Palmer, leader of East Cambs District Council, is one of 102 Conservative council leaders who have urged MPs to back devolution of powers over Sunday trading laws.

A letter to housing and planning minister Brandon Lewis, says: “As leaders of our local communities we want the Government to put its trust into councils.

“We are best placed to make decisions about Sunday trading.

“However, to make those decisions in the best interests of our communities it is absolutely vital that these devolved powers come with flexibility including the ability for councils to zone their Sunday trading so that we can give consideration to a wide range of factors including our local economic circumstances.

“We would urge you to continue with proposals to localise these decisions and help us deliver what is best for our local communities.”

A letter was sent to Mr Lewis last November regarding the localisation of Sunday trading rules.

It outlined support for the Government’s proposed changes to allow local councils to make decisions on Sunday trading rather than Whitehall, as is currently the case.

The letter says: “We are writing again to reaffirm our support for the localisation of Sunday trading.”