Robert Syms (Shadow Minister (Local Government), Communities and Local Government; Poole, Conservative)

Will the Under-Secretary explain what the grouping and de-grouping of parishes means? Will it actually involve mergers or just two or three parishes working with a common objective? I am not sure about the overall intent of the clause.

Angela Smith (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government; Basildon, Labour)

The clause provides for a community governance review to recommend the grouping or de-grouping of parishes. Some parish communities in England wish to have their own identity and interests reflected by the creation of a parish, but are too small to have one of their own. In such cases, a community governance review could recommend that such parishes be grouped together and represented by a single parish council. A group of small parishes could therefore be represented by one parish council, if recommended by the review.

The clause provides a requirement for the review to consider the electoral arrangements of a grouped parish council or a parish council established after a parish is de-grouped. It also provides flexibility to allow small communities to reflect their identity and interests and ensures that, in performing their role, parish councils are effective and convenient. The clause therefore ensures that small parishes are not left out of the provisions in the Bill and can be represented by a parish council. One council covering a number of parishes is not a new phenomenon. It has been legislated for previously.

Robert Syms (Shadow Minister (Local Government), Communities and Local Government; Poole, Conservative)

I presume, therefore, that de-grouping would mean that a large parish could be sawn into pieces. Hypothetically, if we wanted to saw Lichfield into two, it would be possible under the clause.

Angela Smith (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government; Basildon, Labour)

I suppose that if, for example, there had been further building in a parish and separate identities had emerged with the building of a new housing estate or community, that could be a reason to de-group. The aim is to reflect the identity of communities and to ensure adequate and viable governance.