Clause 53 - Power of veto
Local Government Bill
11:15 am
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)
My right hon. Friend takes the words out of my mouth. When I was burning considerable amounts of the midnight oil last night, I did not think that I would enjoy myself this morning, because I envisaged a turgid debate on non-domestic rates. Unfortunately, we shall have that debate this afternoon. At least the evil hour was postponed.
We should try to dispose of BIDs this morning, if we possibly can. I intend to deal with this important group of amendments quickly, but it is necessary to probe the Government's intentions on clause 53, which is a nuclear option.
The primary legislation must stipulate a time limit within which a billing authority must decide whether it will veto a proposal. There should be certainty in that respect. Businesses and local authorities may invest significant time and effort in devising a BID proposal, so the Government must insist on a time limit for implementing a BID proposal. That can be assured only through the establishment of a statutory time frame.