§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential use of(a) referendums and (b) other forms of public consultation in determining support for the establishment of parish councils. [35703]
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§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Local Government and Rating Act 1997 provides for the creation of parishes either where there is public support as evidenced by a petition signed by 250 or 10 per cent. of the electorate (whichever is the greater) or as a result of a request by a district council following a parish review. Since the Act has come into force my right hon. Friend has not made any assessment of the potential use of referendums or other forms of public consultation in such reviews.
§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for the setting up of parish councils he has(a) received, (b) approved and (c) rejected since 1 May 1997; and for what reasons. [35699]
§ Mr. RaynsfordSince 1 May 1997 my right hon. Friend has received 6 requests for new parishes in the form of petitions and two from district councils following parish reviews. To date he has decided that three new parishes should be created; he has yet to decide on the other requests.
The three parishes for East Cowes, Beverley and Cottingham were all requested by petition and all fulfil the definitions set out in Section 22 of the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 and Environment Circular 11/97.