SI 2007/2284. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Ministry of Justice. Coming into force 1 January 2008 with the exception of articles 5 and 6 and Part one of the schedule, which come into force 24 August 2007.

SI 2007/2284. (Negative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Ministry of Justice. Coming into force 1 January 2008 with the exception of articles 5 and 6 and Part one of the schedule, which come into force 24 August 2007.

I. Borough of Poole Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 38 p. II. Rugby Borough Council: processing of claims; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 34 p. III. Cannock Chase District Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 38 p. IV. Hastings Borough Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 33 p. V. Waverley Borough Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 29 p. VI. Cardiff County Council: processing of claims; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 31 p. VII. Mendip District Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 27 p. VIII. Fenland District Council: processing of claims; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 32 p. IX. Leicester City Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 39 p.

I. Borough of Poole Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 38 p. II. Rugby Borough Council: processing of claims; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 34 p. III. Cannock Chase District Council: inspection of security; a report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. 38 p....

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on planning and parish councils.

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on planning and parish councils.

I echo my hon. Friend’s tribute to the work of the parish councillors. I am concerned, however, at the extent to which we do not always see full slates of candidates when parish council elections are called. It is sometimes difficult even to convene a parish council because of the...

I echo my hon. Friend’s tribute to the work of the parish councillors. I am concerned, however, at the extent to which we do not always see full slates of candidates when parish council elections are called. It is sometimes difficult even to convene a parish council because of the...

Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, the hon. Gentleman makes an extremely effective point. In the Morrisons case, one of the two borough councillors for the area was disqualified under the code of conduct from making any comment as a relative had some work connection...

Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, the hon. Gentleman makes an extremely effective point. In the Morrisons case, one of the two borough councillors for the area was disqualified under the code of conduct from making any comment as a relative had some work connection...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, and I will put the matter on the record for the benefit of his constituents and others who might be interested. Under the new system, supplementary planning documents have statutory status, although they are not part of the statutory development plan. We...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, and I will put the matter on the record for the benefit of his constituents and others who might be interested. Under the new system, supplementary planning documents have statutory status, although they are not part of the statutory development plan. We...

I thought that the hon. Gentleman was going to say that. I am trying to be helpful, and explain the process. I will try to be brief, as I appreciate that I have more time than usual. Applications can now be published immediately on an authority’s website, which means that...

I thought that the hon. Gentleman was going to say that. I am trying to be helpful, and explain the process. I will try to be brief, as I appreciate that I have more time than usual. Applications can now be published immediately on an authority’s website, which means that...

The Minister has given an extremely full response, for which I am grateful. I do not want to prolong the debate further, but will he address specifically the point about village plans and how they are treated in planning terms, because many of my villages that have produced village plans...

The Minister has given an extremely full response, for which I am grateful. I do not want to prolong the debate further, but will he address specifically the point about village plans and how they are treated in planning terms, because many of my villages that have produced village plans...

I shall come to some aspects of the hon. Gentleman’s question later. I have not attempted the journey on horseback yet, although it would be an appealing prospect to do so in the steps of William Cobbett, who undertook some of his rural rides in my constituency. He went to...

I shall come to some aspects of the hon. Gentleman’s question later. I have not attempted the journey on horseback yet, although it would be an appealing prospect to do so in the steps of William Cobbett, who undertook some of his rural rides in my constituency. He went to...

I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to raise, at perhaps greater length than I might have had, the issues of parish councils. As my hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) said in the previous debate, it is very rare that we have the opportunity in...

I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to raise, at perhaps greater length than I might have had, the issues of parish councils. As my hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) said in the previous debate, it is very rare that we have the opportunity in...

When the hon. Gentleman went on his travels around his constituency—I do not know whether he went on horseback or in a caravan—did he discover that the smaller parish councils in particular were having ever more onerous regulations, such as the code of conduct, imposed on them? Are not they...

When the hon. Gentleman went on his travels around his constituency—I do not know whether he went on horseback or in a caravan—did he discover that the smaller parish councils in particular were having ever more onerous regulations, such as the code of conduct, imposed on them? Are not they...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who makes a valuable point. People put themselves forward for election and turn out to vote if it means something. We see that in the House. In constituencies which are hard fought—marginal constituencies—turnout is extremely high. My constituency is one of them. It...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who makes a valuable point. People put themselves forward for election and turn out to vote if it means something. We see that in the House. In constituencies which are hard fought—marginal constituencies—turnout is extremely high. My constituency is one of them. It...

The hon. Gentleman has been generous in giving way. He is in the middle of an extremely impressive speech, which resonates with anyone who understands the countryside. Time and again parish councillors tell me that more people who are involved in the community and who have a great deal to...

The hon. Gentleman has been generous in giving way. He is in the middle of an extremely impressive speech, which resonates with anyone who understands the countryside. Time and again parish councillors tell me that more people who are involved in the community and who have a great deal to...

My hon. Friend will not be surprised to learn that he has just provided a synopsis of what I intend to say today. Those issues are very much the concern of many parish councillors. When I visit the parish councillors in my constituency, not only on my summer tour but...

My hon. Friend will not be surprised to learn that he has just provided a synopsis of what I intend to say today. Those issues are very much the concern of many parish councillors. When I visit the parish councillors in my constituency, not only on my summer tour but...

My hon. Friend asks whether there is an answer to the problem of the democratic deficit. Often, insufficient candidates put themselves forward to fulfil the job of parish councils. That happens in a very few cases in my constituency in west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The answer lies...

My hon. Friend asks whether there is an answer to the problem of the democratic deficit. Often, insufficient candidates put themselves forward to fulfil the job of parish councils. That happens in a very few cases in my constituency in west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The answer lies...

The hon. Gentleman brings me back to the main tenor of my speech. That is the principal concern for many parish councils, particularly the smaller ones. They feel ignored. They feel that there is a lack of recognition of their role in the process and that they are wasting their...

The hon. Gentleman brings me back to the main tenor of my speech. That is the principal concern for many parish councils, particularly the smaller ones. They feel ignored. They feel that there is a lack of recognition of their role in the process and that they are wasting their...

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this worthwhile Adjournment debate. Does he agree that planning is one of the most emotive issues in a local community and that district councils and county councils often feel just as powerless as the parish council? The problem often concerns central Government planning...

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this worthwhile Adjournment debate. Does he agree that planning is one of the most emotive issues in a local community and that district councils and county councils often feel just as powerless as the parish council? The problem often concerns central Government planning...

I agree with the hon. Gentleman to a great extent. Since I was first engaged in local government, I have seen a steady erosion of the discretion available to local government, at any level, to have an effect on the future of its communities. It is constantly looking over its...

I agree with the hon. Gentleman to a great extent. Since I was first engaged in local government, I have seen a steady erosion of the discretion available to local government, at any level, to have an effect on the future of its communities. It is constantly looking over its...

The hon. Gentleman has secured an important debate. The number of Members in the Chamber for an Adjournment debate shows how successful he has been and how important it is. This morning, I had a phone call from Councillor Stephen North, who is the leader of Rushden town council in...

The hon. Gentleman has secured an important debate. The number of Members in the Chamber for an Adjournment debate shows how successful he has been and how important it is. This morning, I had a phone call from Councillor Stephen North, who is the leader of Rushden town council in...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. I want to deal briefly with housing and then go on to the generality of planning. The local council in Leigh-on-Mendip—a similar situation has arisen in the neighbouring council of Batcombe—feels that it is being held over a barrel...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. I want to deal briefly with housing and then go on to the generality of planning. The local council in Leigh-on-Mendip—a similar situation has arisen in the neighbouring council of Batcombe—feels that it is being held over a barrel...