Paul Goodman (Shadow Minister, Communities and Local Government; Wycombe, Conservative)

It might have helped the Committee if the official Opposition had made it clear at the start of the previous chapter of the Bill that we regarded it as relatively uncontentious. We take the same view of the local government boundary and electoral change parts of the Bill.

Julia Goldsworthy (Falmouth & Camborne, Liberal Democrat)

I echo those comments. The previous chapter that has just been accepted mainly applies the same standards implemented under the Companies Acts to local authorities. It is entirely sensible for there to be that mirror. This part of the Bill seems largely uncontroversial and sensible. Speaking as an MP who represents an area that has been covered by local government reform and has been undergoing the boundary-making process, I think that the proposals contain sensible amendments. I do not think that they would have resolved all the problems that we experienced in Cornwall, but they address some of the issues and are a big step forward towards a process that will be more timely and will give people confidence in the electoral process. We broadly welcome many of the proposals.