SOUTH Holland District Council leader Gary Porter had two meetings at 10 Downing Street to talk about powers being transferred away from the “centre” and back to local authorities.
He spoke to Prime Minister David Cameron and to Greg Clark MP, the minister of state for communities and local government, who is in charge of the move towards decentralisation.
Coun Porter is deputy chairman of the influential Local Government Association group executive and his voice is being increasingly listened to by top politicians.
The councillor has been to Number 10 several times and says: “It’s a fantastic Georgian building. Inside it’s like the Tardis – it’s absolutely huge compared with your first impressions of the outside.
“I have been there a few times but I still get a buzz when I walk up and down that staircase with all the pictures of the old prime ministers.”
He is impressed with the present prime minister and describes him as “such a clever politician”.
Coun Porter said: “I have met him a couple of times and he remembers me, which is always a big ask for someone who meets lots and lots of people.
“He comes over as really genuine in that way, which is not a bad skill to acquire for a politician.”