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Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

Like my predecessor, I have been in discussion with Members who represent Stoke-on-Trent and I was pleased to announce the start of the work of the democracy commission in Stoke. It is an important piece of work being carried out by an authoritative group of people. They will be fully mindful of the Bill's provisions, and once the Bill receives Royal Assent I will ensure they have the relevant details so that they can take them into account, as my hon. Friend encourages me to do. The amendments ensure that when the result of a referendum is positive, the authority must resolve the change within 28 days to avoid the risk of a long time lag. Furthermore, where governance arrangements have been put in place as the result of a referendum, a further referendum will be required to change them. It is right that if the public have decided on a particular form of governance, the public should decide on changes to those arrangements in future. Most of the remaining amendments are technical; they clarify the Bill's provisions and ensure that the measure is consistent with existing legislation. I commend them to the House.