Public Bill Committees
Local Government Bill

• Local Government Bill, 1st sitting (16 speeches)
  [Mr. Win Griffiths in the Chair]
  • Clause 1 - Power to borrow (12 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 2 - Control of borrowing (90 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 52, in clause 2, page 1, line 13, leave out from beginning to end of line 14 and insert— '(a) any aspect of the Prudential Code for Local Authority Capital...
• Local Government Bill, 2nd sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Derek Conway in the Chair]
  • Clause 2 - Control of borrowing (29 speeches)
    Amendment proposed [this day]: No. 26, in clause 2, page 1, line 14, at end insert 'except where such borrowing is for the purpose of refinancing existing borrowing and the local authority...
  • Clause 3 - Duty to determine affordable borrowing limit (61 speeches)
    Amendment made: No. 12, in clause 3, page 2, line 7, at end insert— '(1A) In the case of the following authorities, namely— (a) the Greater London Authority, and (b) a...
  • Clause 4 - Imposition of borrowing limits (20 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 6, in clause 4, page 2, line 26, after 'the', insert 'aggregate level of'.
• Local Government Bill, 3rd sitting (5 speeches)
  [Mr. Derek Conway in the Chair]
  • Clause 4 - Imposition of borrowing limits (45 speeches)
    Amendment proposed [21 January 2003]: No. 6, in clause 4, page 2, line 26, after 'the', insert 'aggregate level of'.:—[Mr. Hammond.] Question again proposed, That the amendment be made.
  • Clause 5 - Temporary borrowing (14 speeches)
    Amendment made: No. 23, in clause 5, page 3, line 4, after 'by', insert 'or for'.—[Mr. Raynsford.]
  • Clause 6 - Protection of lenders (2 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 7 - Credit arrangements (30 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 50, in clause 7, page 3, line 22 at end insert— '(c) the transaction is related to a 'private finance initiative' or a 'public-private partnership.'.
  • Clause 8 - Control of credit arrangements (11 speeches)
    Amendment made: No. 24, in clause 8, page 3, line 40, after 'by', insert 'or for'.—[Mr. Leslie.]
• Local Government Bill, 4th sitting (1 speech)
  [Mr. Win Griffiths in the Chair]
  • Clause 8 - Control of Credit Arrangements (23 speeches)
    Amendment proposed [this day]: No. 33, in clause 8, page 4, line 3, leave out 'cost of' and insert 'capital value of the assets made available under.'.—[Mr. Hammond.] Question again...
  • Clause 9 - Capital Receipts (21 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 2, in clause 9, page 4, line 20, leave out subsection (3).
  • Clause 10 - Non-money receipts (16 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 38, in clause 10, page 5, line 2, at end add— '( )(a) No regulation may be made under this section in respect of a disposal the consideration for which is...
  • Clause 11 - Use of capital receipts (80 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 66, in clause 11, page 5, line 4, at beginning insert 'Subject as provided in subsection (2)'.
• Local Government Bill, 5th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Win Griffiths in the Chair]
  • Clause 11 - Use of capital receipts (106 speeches)
    Amendment proposed [28 January]: No. 66, in clause 11, page 5, line 4, at beginning insert 'Subject as provided in subsection (2)'.—[Mr. Hammond.] Question again proposed, That the...
  • Clause 12 - Power to invest (5 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 13 - Security for money borrowed etc (20 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 14 - Information (17 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 64, in clause 14, page 6, line 19, after 'may', insert 'reasonably'.
  • Clause 15 - Guidance (5 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 42, in clause 15, page 6, line 24, leave out from beginning to end of line 26 and add, 'to such guidance as the Secretary of State may by regulations specify for the...
  • Clause 16 - Capital expenditure (10 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 43, in clause 16, page 6, line 30, leave out 'proper practices' and insert 'Generally Accepted Accounting Practices.'.
• Local Government Bill, 6th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Derek Conway in the Chair]
  • Clause 16 - ''Capital expenditure'' (9 speeches)
    Amendment proposed [this day]: No. 43, in clause 16, page 6, line 30, leave out 'proper practices' and insert 'Generally Accepted Accounting Practices.'.—[Mr. Clifton-Brown.] Question...
  • Clause 17 - External funds (10 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 18 - Local authority companies etc (6 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 19 - Application to parish and community councils (16 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Schedule 1 - Capital finance: parish and community councils and charter trustees (9 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 46, in schedule 1, page 71, line 25, after 'chargeable' insert 'and reasonably expected to be received in that period'.
  • Clause 20 - Directions (5 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 45, in clause 20, page 8, line 19, leave out 'in writing' and insert 'made by regulation.'. We have had this argument more than once in the short time I have been on...
  • Clause 21 - Accounting practices (12 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 23 - ''Local authority'' (37 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 105, in clause 23, page 10, line 21, leave out subsection (3). The amendment is designed to test whether my Machiavellian mind is too inventive.
  • Clause 25 - Budget calculations: report on robustness of estimates etc (18 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 108, in clause 25, page 10, line 42, leave out 'the' and insert 'a properly qualified'. Clause 25 deals with the powers of the chief finance officer. The Government...
  • Clause 26 - Minimum reserves (23 speeches)
    I shall not move amendment No. 80, Mr. Conway. No, sorry, I shall move it. I beg to move amendment No. 80, in clause 26, page 11, line 16, leave out 'controlled'.
  • Clause 30 - Authorisation of agreements during the prohibition period (3 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 31 - Power to pay grant (24 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 83, in clause 31, page 14, line 7, at end insert 'but only after Parliament has agreed an instrument laid by the Minister relating to that grant.'.
• Local Government Bill, 7th sitting (1 speech)
  [Mr. Derek Conway in the Chair]
  • Clause 32 - Ancillary powers (7 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 85, in clause 32, page 14, line 21, leave out 'require' and insert 'ask'. It is a real pleasure, Mr. Conway, to see you back in your place. Like us, you are full of...
  • Clause 33 - Application to Greater London Authority (6 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 86, in clause 33, page 15, line 3, at end insert— ''(6A) No grant may be paid under this section in relation to any agreement under the Public-Private...
  • Clause 34 - Wales (6 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 35 - Interpretation of Chapter 1 (19 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 36 - Best value grant: parishes (18 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 37 - Best value grant: communities (3 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 39 - Emergency financial assistance (2 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 40 - Loans by Public Works loan commissioners (32 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 112, in clause 40, page 17, line 39, after 'appropriate', insert 'by order'.
  • Clause 41 - Payments towards local authority indebtedness (2 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 42 - Local government finance reports: Wales (8 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 43 - Arrangements with respect to business improvement districts (5 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 94, in clause 43, page 19, line 22, after 'projects', insert 'and services'.
• Local Government Bill, 8th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Win Griffiths in the Chair]
  • Clause 43 - Arrangements with respect to business improvement districts (117 speeches)
    Amendment moved [this day]: No. 94, in clause 43, page 19, line 22, after 'projects', insert 'and services'.—[Mr. Davey.] Question again proposed, That the amendment be made.
  • Clause 44 - joint arrangments (13 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill. Mr. Swayne rose—
• Local Government Bill, 9th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Win Griffiths in the Chair]
  • Clause 45 - Additional contributions and action (8 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 47 - BID levy (11 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 49 - BID Revenue Account (5 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 50 - Administration of BID levy etc (39 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 97, in clause 50, page 21, line 7, at end insert— '(1A) Regulations under (1) above may specify that all or a proportion of the start up costs of a BID can be...
  • Clause 51 - BID proposals (19 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 52 - Approval in ballot (69 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 114, in clause 52, page 21, line 34, leave out 'two' and insert 'four'.
  • Clause 53 - Power of veto (11 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 153, in clause 53, page 22, line 8, leave out from 'proposals' to end of line 9.
• Local Government Bill, 10th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Derek Conway in the Chair]
  • Clause 53 - Power of veto (16 speeches)
    Amendment moved [this day]: No. 153, in clause 53, page 22, line 8, leave out from 'proposals' to end of line 9.—[Mr. Clifton-Brown.]
  • Clause 54 - Appeal against veto (8 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 55 - Commencement of BID arrangements (5 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 56 - Duration of BID arrangements etc (9 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 57 - Regulations about ballots (2 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 58 - Power to make further provision (18 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 59 - Crown application (8 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 61 - Interpretation of Part 4 (2 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 62 - Submission of proposed rating lists (8 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 63 - Small business relief (54 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 64 - Calculation of non-domestic rating multiplier (15 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
• Local Government Bill, 11th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Win Griffiths in the Chair]
  • Clause 64 - Calculation of non-domestic rating multiplier (1 speech)
    Question proposed [6 February], That the clause stand part of the Bill. Question again proposed.
  • Clause 65 - Rural settlement lists etc (2 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 66 - Transitional relief (22 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 104, in clause 66, page 32, line 21, leave out 'as regards a particular financial year' and insert 'over the period of the rating list'. This is a probing...
  • Clause 67 - Rating of meters (12 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 68 - Exemptions for agricultural buildings (13 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 103, in clause 68, page 33, line 35, at end insert— '(4A) Paragraph 7(8) ceases to have effect.'. Amendment No. 103 was due to be debated so many days ago...
  • Clause 69 - Exemption for places of religious worship (6 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 70 - Removal of power to prescribe rateable values (6 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 71 - Adjustments for hardship relief (3 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 72 - Provision of Information (5 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 157, in clause 72, page 35, line 7, leave out '21' and insert '28'.
  • Clause 74 - Exception of students from joint and several liability (3 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 75 - Second and empty homes: England (15 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 165, in clause 75, page 37, line 39, at end add— '(8) If a Billing Authority makes a determination under this section it shall be disregarded for the purposes...
  • Clause 76 - Billing authority's power to reduce amount of tax payable (2 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 77 - Statutory revaluation cycle (23 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 161, in clause 77, page 38, line 21, leave out 'tenth' and insert 'fifth'.
  • Clause 78 - Power to change number of valuation bands (28 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 163, in clause 78, page 39, line 18, at end insert— '(4B) 'Any order made under this section may apply to a Billing Authority or any number of Billing...
• Local Government Bill, 12th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Derek Conway in the Chair]
  • Clause 78 - Power to change number of valuation bands (67 speeches)
    Amendment proposed [this day]: No. 163, in clause 78, page 39, line 18, at end insert— '(4B) Any order made under this section may apply to a Billing Authority or any number of Billing...
  • Clause 79 - Transitional Arrangements (6 speeches)
    I beg to move, amendment No. 164, in clause 79, page 39, line 41, at end insert— '(d) make provision for any scheme made under subsection (1) above to only apply for the two financial...
  • Clause 80 - Amendments relating to distress (13 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 83 - Major precepting authorities: combined fire authorities (5 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 84 - Amendment of section 67 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (15 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 85 - Vacant dwellings: use of information obtained for council tax purposes (26 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 86 - Repeal of section 31 of the (13 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 87 - Housing strategies and statements (27 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 150, in clause 87, page 43, line 27, at end insert— '(3A) In carrying out their functions under this Part, the appropriate person and the local housing...
  • Clause 89 - Housing revenue account subsidy: payment and calculation (39 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 171, in clause 89, page 44, line 21, leave out 'determine' and insert 'order'.
  • Clause 90 - Housing Revenue Account subsidy: negative amounts (31 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 166, in clause 90, page 46, line 16, at end insert— '(6) The Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales shall keep for each financial year an...
  • Clause 91 - Housing Revenue Accounts etc: adaptation of enactments (5 speeches)
    I beg to move amendment No. 196, in clause 91, page 47, line 21, leave out 'authorities' and insert 'classes of authority.'. This is a probing amendment to draw attention to the wide and...
  • Clause 92 - Local housing authority houses: rents (9 speeches)
    Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
  • Clause 101 - Staff transfer matters: general (0 speeches)
    Amendments proposed: No. 124, in ''clause 101, page 54, line 10, after 'authority' insert '(in Scotland, a relevant authority)'.'' No. 125, in ''clause 101, page 54, line 25, after 'authority'...
  • Clause 102 - Staff transfer matters: pensions (0 speeches)
    Amendments made: No. 129, in ''clause 102, page 56, line 22, at end insert— ' ''appropriate person'', in relation to Scotland, means the Scottish Ministers;' ''. No. 130, in ''clause...
  • Schedule 4 - The Valuation Tribunal Service (0 speeches)
    Amendments made: No. 145, in ''schedule 4, page 84, line 18, leave out from beginning to 'he' in line 19 and insert— '(aa) he is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim...
• Local Government Bill, 13th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Derek Conway in the Chair]
  • New Clause 10 - Registered social landlords (74 speeches)
    '(1) After section 41 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 (c.18) there is inserted— ''41A Inspections of registered social landlords (1) The Commission may carry out an inspection...
  • New Clause 1 - Repeal of prohibition on promotion of homosexuality (58 speeches)
    'Section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986 (c.10) (local authorities prohibited from promoting homosexuality) ceases to have effect'.—[Mr. Davey.] Brought up, and read the First time.
  • New Clause 18 - Repeal of section 2A ofLocal Government Act 1986 (0 speeches)
    '(1) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument provide that section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986 (c.10) shall cease to have effect. (2) No order under this...
• Local Government Bill, 14th sitting (0 speeches)
  [Mr. Win Griffiths in the Chair]
  • New clause 13 - Fire brigade establishment schemes: (55 speeches)
    'The following provisions cease to have effect— (a) section 19(3) to (8) of the Fire Services Act 1947 (c.41) (functions of Secretary of State in relation to fire brigade establishment...
  • New Clause 3 - Relief for charities and certain sports clubs (11 speeches)
    '.—(1) In section 43 of the 1988 Act (occupied hereditaments: liability) for subsection (6) there is substituted: ''(6) This subsection applies where on the day concerned the ratepayer...
  • New clause 8 - Amendment of Local Government Act 2000 (Scrutiny Function) (8 speeches)
    '(1) The Local Government Act 2000 (c.22) is amended as follows. (2) In section 24 (absence of requirement for political balance)— (a) there is inserted after ''local authority...
  • New Clause 14 - Regulation of body piercing establishments outside London (5 speeches)
    'The Local Government Act 1988 (c.9) is amended as follows:— After section 36 insert— ''36A Regulation of Body Piercing Establishments outside London (1) The Secretary of State...
  • New Clause 17 - Provision of services by parish councils (4 speeches)
    '.—(1) This section applies to a service or amenity which, within the same local government area, is provided in some areas by a parish council and in other areas by the local authority (a...
  • Schedule 6 - Minor and consequential amendments (0 speeches)
    Amendments proposed: No. 132, in schedule 6, page 100, line 22, leave out 'by statutory instrument'. No. 133, in schedule 6, page 101, line 11, leave out paragraph 51 and insert— '51...
  • Schedule 7 - Repeals and revocations (0 speeches)
    Amendments made: No. 188, in schedule 7, page 105, line 30, at end insert— 'Fire Services Act 1947 (c.41) Section 19(3) to (8) Fire Services Act 1959 (c.44) In section 7, subsection...
  • Clause 122 - Commencement (0 speeches)
    Amendments made: No. 189, in clause 122, page 69, line 1, after '112,' insert '(Fire brigade establishment schemes: removal of Secretary of State's functions),'. No. 190, in clause 122, page...
  • Clause 123 - Short title and extent (0 speeches)
    Amendments made: No. 144, in clause 123, page 70, line 16, leave out 'Section 83(2) extends' and insert 'Sections 83(2), 101 and 102 extend'. No. 191, in clause 123, page 70, line 34, leave...