Letter dated 05/09/2011 from Baroness Hanham to Deposited Papers Clerk regarding deposited paper for the House of Lords Library. Incl annex: Local Government Group draft statement of policy on EU fines. 14 p.

Letter dated 05/09/2011 from Baroness Hanham to Deposited Papers Clerk regarding deposited paper for the House of Lords Library. Incl annex: Local Government Group draft statement of policy on EU fines. 14 p.

I. Letter dated 09/08/2011 from Baroness Hanham to Deposited Papers Clerk regarding deposited paper for the House of Lords Library. 1 p. II. Letter dated 11/07/2011 from Baroness Hanham to Lord Wigley regarding Localism Bill: general power of competence - clarification of points raised in Committee. 2 p.

I. Letter dated 09/08/2011 from Baroness Hanham to Deposited Papers Clerk regarding deposited paper for the House of Lords Library. 1 p. II. Letter dated 11/07/2011 from Baroness Hanham to Lord Wigley regarding Localism Bill: general power of competence - clarification of points raised in Committee. 2 p.

I did not give notice of my intention to ask a question about Clause 4, but I have listened to the discussion on the previous group of amendments with some interest. Clause 4(1) gives me a certain amount of anxiety. The provision describes, "““power on a local authority to do...

I did not give notice of my intention to ask a question about Clause 4, but I have listened to the discussion on the previous group of amendments with some interest. Clause 4(1) gives me a certain amount of anxiety. The provision describes, "““power on a local authority to do...

My Lords, I will try to be a little more helpful. Part of the answer is that the Government believe that a local authority service should not make a surplus year on year. I think that that was one of the points raised earlier. By providing a power to charge...

My Lords, I will try to be a little more helpful. Part of the answer is that the Government believe that a local authority service should not make a surplus year on year. I think that that was one of the points raised earlier. By providing a power to charge...

Before my noble friend responds, the crucial question that comes to mind is this: if the provision as it is in the Bill is passed, does it change the existing situation?

Before my noble friend responds, the crucial question that comes to mind is this: if the provision as it is in the Bill is passed, does it change the existing situation?

The existing situation is that current legislation limits what can be done, and this continues to limit it. Under the general power, if it is not restricted by current legislation, then it is permissive.

The existing situation is that current legislation limits what can be done, and this continues to limit it. Under the general power, if it is not restricted by current legislation, then it is permissive.

I am grateful to the Minister for her offer to write, which it is hoped will clarify the situation. I might suggest that if we are all struggling a bit with what is in the Bill, perhaps the drafting is not as clear as it should be, and that is...

I am grateful to the Minister for her offer to write, which it is hoped will clarify the situation. I might suggest that if we are all struggling a bit with what is in the Bill, perhaps the drafting is not as clear as it should be, and that is...

My Lords, the answer to that will have to come in a note, I am afraid, because I am not clear about the relationship between the two. I will make sure that my noble friend has a reply to her questions so that she may return to the point on...

My Lords, the answer to that will have to come in a note, I am afraid, because I am not clear about the relationship between the two. I will make sure that my noble friend has a reply to her questions so that she may return to the point on...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for her answer, but I am bound to say that I am not any the wiser than before. I have used leisure services as an example since it happens to be one for which I am responsible, but perhaps it was the...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for her answer, but I am bound to say that I am not any the wiser than before. I have used leisure services as an example since it happens to be one for which I am responsible, but perhaps it was the...

Perhaps the noble Lord could offer the Minister the example of a meals on wheels service that an authority might provide instead of, say, leisure services.

Perhaps the noble Lord could offer the Minister the example of a meals on wheels service that an authority might provide instead of, say, leisure services.

Indeed, I am happy to offer the Minister the example of a meals on wheels service, which has just come to mind as possibly a more appropriate example. I would be grateful if she could elucidate a little more because I see that I am not the only noble Lord...

Indeed, I am happy to offer the Minister the example of a meals on wheels service, which has just come to mind as possibly a more appropriate example. I would be grateful if she could elucidate a little more because I see that I am not the only noble Lord...

My Lords, I support my noble friend’s amendment, because it goes to the heart of the fundamental issue of how our body politic and administrative systems work. The amendment essentially sets out what we want to do in a Bill called the Localism Bill, before we discuss how to do...

My Lords, I support my noble friend’s amendment, because it goes to the heart of the fundamental issue of how our body politic and administrative systems work. The amendment essentially sets out what we want to do in a Bill called the Localism Bill, before we discuss how to do...

29: Clause 9, page 8, leave out lines 33 to 41

29: Clause 9, page 8, leave out lines 33 to 41

I am grateful to the noble Lord for clarifying that, but in fact there are some amendments, that take several pages right out, that were intended to remove this whole part of the Bill.

I am grateful to the noble Lord for clarifying that, but in fact there are some amendments, that take several pages right out, that were intended to remove this whole part of the Bill.

My Lords, I would have to get an answer to that for the noble Lord. I am not sure. This specifically refers to the general power. I think that it might be different for neighbourhood planning where there is a parish council, but I would like to be sure. Perhaps...

My Lords, I would have to get an answer to that for the noble Lord. I am not sure. This specifically refers to the general power. I think that it might be different for neighbourhood planning where there is a parish council, but I would like to be sure. Perhaps...

I would not say that it is a better definition, but I would accept it as an additional definition. However, the spirit is shared across the Chamber. The key to the noble Lord’s amendment is surely the emphasis on representative local democracy. That is what local government is and must...

I would not say that it is a better definition, but I would accept it as an additional definition. However, the spirit is shared across the Chamber. The key to the noble Lord’s amendment is surely the emphasis on representative local democracy. That is what local government is and must...

My Lords, I do not think that it is necessary for me to answer that. We are talking about a general power of competence; the less fettered it is, the better. It may be that individual actions have not been challenged, although at times of international disasters, when suggestions have...

My Lords, I do not think that it is necessary for me to answer that. We are talking about a general power of competence; the less fettered it is, the better. It may be that individual actions have not been challenged, although at times of international disasters, when suggestions have...

My Lords, of course we expect councils to act in the best interests of the communities that they serve, but we do not believe that it is for the Government to dictate what that means. Local authorities are, as we know, accountable through the ballot box and the other provisions...

My Lords, of course we expect councils to act in the best interests of the communities that they serve, but we do not believe that it is for the Government to dictate what that means. Local authorities are, as we know, accountable through the ballot box and the other provisions...

Localism Bill. Lords committee stage first day. Clauses 1 to 11 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to.

Localism Bill. Lords committee stage first day. Clauses 1 to 11 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to.

My Lords, I welcome the comment of my noble friend Lord Jenkin that the good points made by the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, should be incorporated in the Bill. However, I do not really see the point of putting them in an amendment, although they are extremely important and should...

My Lords, I welcome the comment of my noble friend Lord Jenkin that the good points made by the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, should be incorporated in the Bill. However, I do not really see the point of putting them in an amendment, although they are extremely important and should...