Clause 6
Business Rate Supplements Bill
4:15 pm
Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)
Those members of the Committee who were privileged to serve on the Committee that considered Bill that became the Planning Act 2008—several are here today—may recall that I moved a similar amendment to that legislation. Parish councils should be explicitly mentioned in the Bill as consultees at crucial times.
It would be generally good practice to send out the signal that parish councils play a most important role in many parts of the country. Like the Minister, I have met representatives of the National Association of Local Councils, whose members are keen to have the opportunity to contribute to all such debates, and their views should be remembered. All levying and billing authorities have regular contact with their parish councils—at least, the good ones do—and there will be strong communication between them. It would send out the wrong signal were we to miss out the parish councils when considering such matters. We should give them the opportunity to comment on important prospectuses of the sort provided under the Bill.
As always, local government is changing. The hon. Member for Ludlow is no longer in his place, but his local authority of Shropshire, like mine, Wiltshire and Northumberland, is going through the process of becoming a unitary authority. Part of Cornwall’s bid was that the parish council’s role should be enhanced; as the district council tier disappeared, it was acknowledged that parish councils, especially the larger ones, would be important in ensuring that decisions were taken locally—a consideration that was agreed to.
As a Member with a constituency that includes 70 parish councils, I can say that their meetings play an important part in all decision making. The district councils, North Cornwall district council, Restormel borough council and Cornwall county council have a good record of co-operation. However, that is not necessarily a given. When such important decisions are being taken, it is necessary to underline the fact that local councils should have the opportunity to be involved.