Clause 23
Coroners and Justice Bill
7:00 pm
Jennifer Willott (Cardiff Central, Liberal Democrat)
This is on similar lines to the previous group, but from the opposite perspective, requiring the local authority to take into account the minimum standards when providing funding.
My concern is that the wording of the clause, as it stands, is vague—it refers to the local authority having to “take into account” the staff that are needed and adequate accommodation. Clearly that is currently being interpreted extremely widely, as very varied staffing levels and accommodation are provided. I want to clarify that and to get the Minister’s response to the duties that will be held by local authorities to ensure that the provision is adequate, as it does not seem to be at the moment. She has already commented on many of the issues when we discussed the previous group of amendments.