§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent advice his Department has offered to local authorities with respect to clear separation of the cabinet and scrutiny functions in local government. [142051]
§ Ms Beverley HughesAs my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced to the House on 26 October 2000,Official Report, columns 173–74W, we have now published guidance on new council constitutions for English local authorities, which includes guidance on setting up executive arrangements involving separate cabinets and overview and scrutiny committees.