Clause 26
Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords]
12:45 pm
Lorely Burt (Shadow Minister, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Solihull, Liberal Democrat)
I have growing concerns about the clause. The problem is that the LBRO can nominate a local authority to be a primary authority without its consent. Under the clause, a democratically elected local authority will not have the right to decide on the service provision that would best suit the needs of the local population and economy. Does the Minister agree that the LBRO having the power to decide how a local authority should deliver services is an undemocratic and unnecessary centralisation of control, which runs counter to the principles of the system of local area agreements? Furthermore, surely a forced relationship between a council and a business would not be productive or effective for either party. Surely, a primary authority relationship will work only if both parties want to participate.