Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Rosie Winterton (Minister of State (Pensions Reform; Minister for Yorkshire and Humber), Department for Work and Pensions; Doncaster Central, Labour)
I beg to move,
That—
(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 10.30 am on Tuesday 9 June) meet—
(a) at 4.30 pm on Tuesday 9 June;
(b) at 9.30 am and 1.00 pm on Thursday 11 June;
(c) at 10.30 am and 4.30 pm on Tuesday 16 June;
(d) at 9.00 am and 1.00 pm on Thursday 18 June;
(2) the proceedings shall be taken in the following order: Clauses 1 to 52; Schedule 1; Clause 53; Schedule 2; Clauses 54 to 61; Schedule 3; Clauses 62 to 64; Schedule 4; Clauses 65 to 82; Schedule 5; Clauses 83 to 116; Schedule 6; Clauses 117 to 142; Schedule 7; Clauses 143 to 146; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill;
(3) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 5.00 pm on Thursday 18 June.
I am sure I speak on behalf of all Members when I say how pleased we are to be sitting under your expert chairmanship, Mr. Illsley. I believe that the programme motion will give us sufficient time for a full and thorough consideration of the Bill in Committee. It is a wide-ranging Bill that includes important reforms to strengthen local democracy and communities by giving local people new rights to shape local services, and giving local authorities more power and responsibility to promote economic development. The Bill also implements a raft of reforms to support regions and local areas in taking action at every level to boost jobs and skills and to support businesses. All these measures were set out in the review of sub-national economic development and regeneration.
This Bill was subjected to extensive scrutiny in the other place, and as a result arrives here in strong shape. We made some important amendments that clarified our intentions on the duty to promote democracy, reduced the number of clauses on petitions, removed certain powers of the Secretary of State relating to regional strategies and local economic assessments, and emphasised the voluntary nature of sub-regional arrangements.
I am sure you recognise, Mr. Illsley, that I am a new Minister to this portfolio, but I am very pleased that, as one of my first duties, I am taking this Bill through Committee. Given the Second Reading speeches that I have read from all parts of the House, I am sure we will have a lively debate. We are very fortunate to have such a range of experience and expertise on the Committee.