Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government written question – answered at on 20 October 2025.
Alberto Costa
Chair, Committee on Standards, Chair, Committee on Standards, Chair, Committee of Privileges, Chair, Committee of Privileges
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of levels of contested parish council elections on accountability in local government.
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Contested town and parish elections strengthen local accountability, by encouraging broader representation and democratic engagement. Town and parish councils rely on individuals stepping forward to serve their communities, and a greater number of candidates increases the likelihood of contested elections. We continue to value the role of town and parish councils in driving forward community priorities and delivering effective local services.
Yes2 people think so
No1 person thinks not
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Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
