§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will require town and parish councils to take as part of his plans for the modernisation of local government. [65772]
§ Mr. RaynsfordAs our White Paper "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People" makes clear, it is important that parish councils embrace the culture of openness and accountability, putting their local people first. Our modernisation agenda therefore provides for such councils to continue to play their local democratic role and to be subject—as appropriate to their size and functions—to the disciplines of the new ethical framework and the duty of best value.