---

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

Notwithstanding the Minister’s comment about flexibility, I should like it clearly understood that local authorities can respond to anything they want. Including a provision about a ““relevant matter”” consolidates the confusion to which the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield, referred. Economic, social and environmental well-being issues to which a partner authority could contribute suggests that there is more responsibility on the local authority, which is exactly what we are trying to avoid. We are not trying to avoid dialogue with local people but to get straight who carries the can and has the legal powers to do certain things. I am sure that there is a lot that the local authority can carry only a few inches forward. It will not be able to solve the problem.