Contributions
1,006 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD English DevolutionI thank the Chair of the Select Committee for that very important point about how we maintain public trust and confidence in a period of change. First, local government…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionThere were three types of programme on the transition to the new Government. The first were the legacy devolution agreements that were agreed under the previous Government but had…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionWell, I am glad somebody was listening! There are huge opportunities in Lancashire. If we think about the work that has been done to secure a mayoral combined authority in Hull…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionThe truth is that these strategic authorities are about taking power from this place and moving it down to communities. Every Minister gets hundreds of sign-offs every single day,…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionIn some ways we have to give direction. What we heard during the consultation stage with local government—that includes, by the way, the County Councils Network and the District…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionAbsolutely. One keenly felt problem with the previous devolution framework was that it did not have due regard for the role of district councils in primary cities, university…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionIn all things I try to be direct, and I have been direct in saying that if those councils that come to the Government with a request for reorganisation meet the test and have a…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionI thank the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for her question, and for her service as an elected council member for a period. I understand that there will be concerns about the move…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionThe assumption is that elections in counties will take place as planned, unless authorities actively approach us to say that they want reorganisation discussions and have…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionWe talk quite a lot about how sufficient funding was not provided over a decade of underfunding, but that does not mean there were not growing costs in the system. We have found…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionPeople in the real world had their say at the ballot box, because devolution and taking power out of this place was a manifesto commitment that we are absolutely clear-eyed about…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionOn local plans, if any areas at this point have failed to get a local plan in place, they are leaving the door open for development to take place without any checks and balances,…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionIt is a very important point, and we were mindful of that concern because devolution in England has been developed by deal, rather than with a clear framework from the outset, so…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionIt would be a bit rude to diminish the powers of the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire before they are in place, especially as I will move the order enabling the election to happen,…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionIt is in the eye of the beholder. If the right hon. Gentleman wants to turn Essex into Monaco, I suspect that it will not happen. But if he is asking for genuine freedoms and…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionIn any local government reorganisation, there is always a fine balance between trying to create a cohesive new council and respecting the strong local identities that people…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionThere have been a number of competing proposals. I do not believe in elephants in the room, but one was an explicit proposal to have a Devon and Cornwall combined authority with a…16 Dec 2024HANSARDLocal Government Best ValueAll hon. Members will recognise the importance of having well-functioning local councils which provide essential statutory services local residents rely upon. The Government will…12 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill (Third sitting)Clause 2 concerns additional multipliers in special authorities. The meaning of a special authority is already defined in section 144(6) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988…12 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill (Third sitting)I can confirm in writing the exact consultation that has taken place. Conversations will certainly take place. I return to the point that, if we do not take these measures to…12 Dec 2024