Alistair Burt (Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government), Communities and Local Government; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)

Without going over the short debate that we have just had, given that this is an extensive provision will the Minister confirm that the aim of the clause is to restate the existing structures of any bodies that he will have rearranged through the reorganisation process that we have discussed? He is to have powers to deal with

“the total number of members of”

local authorities,

“the number of councillors to be returned”

and

“the name of any electoral area”.

Those are extensive and it would be interesting to hear how they are to be exercised. A number of areas may face a reduction in the number of councillors. How might that be handled?

Phil Woolas (Minister of State (Local Government & Community Cohesion), Department for Communities and Local Government; Oldham East & Saddleworth, Labour)

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise that matter. It is slightly more extensive than the simple requirement to ensure proper change, because it covers the transitional period of change from one authority structure to another.

The clause defines the “electoral matters” in respect of the councillors, in clause 11(4)(c), including the total number of councillors of any local authority and

“the number of councillors to be returned”

in any particular ward, division or electoral area. It mentions appointing existing councillors as councillors to the new authorities for a transitional period until the first elections for those authorities are held. Obviously, they would be the councillors for that electoral area. The clause also makes provision for elections to the new authority, in case the Electoral Commission is not able to carry out a review and put in place electoral arrangements for the new authority before it is established. I do not believe that that has ever happened, but the clause could, hypothetically, do so. To be fair to the hon. Gentleman, the measure is slightly more extensive in that it covers the transitional period.

Alistair Burt (Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government), Communities and Local Government; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)

Will the Minister confirm that district and borough elections this year will take place in all those areas that currently have bids going forward and that no decision is anticipated as to whether it makes sense for them to take place? Will they definitely take place?

Phil Woolas (Minister of State (Local Government & Community Cohesion), Department for Communities and Local Government; Oldham East & Saddleworth, Labour)

I am grateful for the opportunity to put this on the record once again. I recall being woken early one morning, last summer, to respond to a Conservative party press release that the BBC read at 6.30 in the morning. “Thanks,” was my response. Of course, under any circumstances, the elections will take place this year. It is a serious point—apart from being a point-scoring one—because in previous reviews there has been uncertainty about whether elections would be necessary or desirable and people were then saying, “What’s the point?” That is unfair to the public and particularly unfair to the people who may be standing. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to explain that—and for reminding me of that summer morning.