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Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

moved Amendment No. 174A: 174A: Clause 112, page 73, line 23, after ““authority;”” insert— ““( ) other non-statutory partners to the local area agreement;”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, we are getting tired. When are we going to have this guillotine? With this amendment we are trying to ensure that the voluntary and non-statutory sectors are put on the same footing as other partner authorities. Again, we have discussed this. The voluntary and community sector is becoming very strategic in the delivery of services. There are many examples, particularly in social services, where they are contracting with local authorities to provide those services, so while they have always been an important aspect, they are now becoming even more important. As time goes on, that importance increases. It does therefore not make sense for the Bill to designate just, "““such other persons as appear to be appropriate””." We would like to see the voluntary sector put on the same footing as other partner authorities and included in the Bill. I beg to move.