The Conservative Party have called for an end to confusing council terminology.

It follows a recent plea from the Local Government Association (LGA) to scrap mystifying jargon.

The LGA, chaired by Councillor Margaret Eaton OBE, recently published 200 words and phrases that public sector organisations must get rid of in order to embrace everyday language.

Some of the worst offenders on the LGA list include: taxonomy, holistic governance, predictors of beaconicity, place shaping, rebaselining and improvement levers.

In August last year, Sutton Council was criticised by the Plain English Campaign for their use of “designer acronyms” like LINk – local involvement network – and kloes – key lines of inquiry.

Leader of the opposition Paul Scully was once promised “deliverology” by officials.

After taking the criticism on board, Mr Scully said recently dumping baffling jargon is key to breaking down the barrier between public services and the people who use them.

At a recent meeting of the executive, Councillor Ruth Dombey echoed similar sentiments. She said: “We need to use plain English to ensure we convey things in the right way.”

Councillor Scully commented: “The LGA’s renewed commitment to stamp out bizarre otherworldly local government jargon is a much-needed step in the right direction.

“While some of the terms are so barmy they’re funny, there is a serious downside to this ridiculous waffle because it raises another obstacle between the services which councils like Sutton provide and the people they function to serve. This is especially true now we are in a deepening recession.”

He concluded: “Taxpaying residents should not be put off using the services they pay for, claiming their entitlements, and keeping an eye on their council just because it routinely avoids good old fashioned plain English.

"At the end of the day it is a question of accountability.”

Coun Tony Brett Young, executive member for public relations on Sutton Council said: “The LGA highlighted 200 words they don’t want to see used by councils.

"Among the words we don’t want to see here in Sutton are unemployment, recession, a lack of opportunities for young people, fear of crime, and harming the environment.

“However, we do need to speak and write clearly and simply.”

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