Clause 55 - Commencement of BID arrangements
Local Government Bill
2:45 pm
Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight, Conservative)
It would be out of order if I prolonged the debate on the previous two clauses, but this clause talks about the commencement of the BID arrangements. The Minister has just referred to the local authority only having the power of veto between the ballot on the BID and the commencement of the arrangements. Clearly the local authority's power depends on the extent of the period available between the ballot on the BID and the commencement of the arrangements. I am not sure whether the clause allows a reasonable period for the local authority to consider the matter and for local elections and the conclusion of a consultation on its local strategy to take place before the implementation of the BID arrangements. Does it merely provide for the implementation of such administrative arrangements as are necessary? Indeed, once we start putting those administrative arrangements in place, is that a signal that the BID arrangements have begun to be put in place?
Surely the BID arrangements would be put in place from the moment that the results of the ballot were announced—rather like the arrangements for MPs. It would be difficult for the Minister to identify a period during which the arrangements had not commenced. Perhaps the clause clarifies when the arrangements commence, but from my initial reading I have not found that easy to identify. I am becoming increasingly concerned about why the local authority should require a power of veto after the ballot. If the local authority is so concerned that its community strategy or policies would be inhibited by the BID arrangements, why have those arrangements reached the stage of a ballot? I appreciate that I am not allowed to go over old ground. Will the Minister explain when the BID arrangements commence?