Bob Neill (Shadow Minister, Communities and Local Government; Bromley & Chislehurst, Conservative)

Again, I have much sympathy with the hon. Gentleman’s argument. I hope that the circumstances where the provision needs to be used will not arise. It is needed as a long-stop, but I am sure that local authorities will seek to act in a way which does not give rise to the need to use it.

I do not have a problem with the concept, although I note that the Local Government Association expressed reservations about the clause. I apologise to you, Mrs. Dean, for breaking my word—I said that I was not going to mention ballots again—but in the absence of a ballot, it seems that there is a need for that sort of long-stop for that eventuality. The LGA makes a fair point. I hope that the association is right. It has repeatedly stated that it cannot envisage a BRS-funded project going through without the full agreement of the business community. There is, dare I say it, one simple way to ensure that. As such a provision is not there, the clause is necessary; equally, however, it is important to have that reassurance that in the event of its being terminated, there will be a guaranteed refund to those who have contributed.

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