Clause 1 - Closure notice
Anti-social Behaviour Bill
10:45 am
Ms Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)
I will speak briefly, but I first want to say that we welcome this part of the Bill. It is well drafted, and I say that in a positive spirit.
We have great concerns about amendment No. 4. We strongly support the crime and disorder partnerships, which make everyone work together, but we feel that the power to initiate proceedings should rest with the police, working closely with the local authority. I noted that the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) said, ''If we talk to chief executives,'' but I do not know whether any consultation has taken place and I have not seen any representations. Furthermore, the Liberal Democrats believe that there will be ambiguity within two-tier local government areas, as several different chief
executives in a crossover of councils might be involved. Our main concern is that a closure order is a police matter.