§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with parish councils regarding the impact of the increased audit requirements and subsequent costs on smaller parish councils; and if he will make a statement. [66261]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe Chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and his colleagues discussed with me the cost of parish audits when I met them on 16 December. As I explained to them, it is essential for parish councils, as for all councils, to have an effective audit regime ensuring propriety and regularity in their affairs. We have no plans to review the current parish audit arrangements, which were introduced in April 1997, although we do keep these matters under review.