§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow local democratically elected authorities to agree alternative structures for political leadership other than those proposed in the Government's local government White Paper. [57683]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWithin the 3 models proposed in the White Paper—directly elected mayor with cabinet, cabinet with a leader, and directly elected mayor and council manager—the scope for local diversity is great. If practice subsequently points up the possibility of other further valuable models for separating out the executive from the scrutiny role, the Government intend to provide for them to be available to local authorities.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the additional powers and freedoms proposed for the beacon councils to all democratically elected councils in England and Wales. [57676]
§ Ms ArmstrongBeacon councils will be a key driver in modernising local government, setting the pace of change, and acting as a test bed for new freedoms and flexibilities. The transfer of freedoms and flexibilities to other councils will be considered in the light of experience by beacons. We will consult widely before establishing the scheme for beacon councils.