§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the legal and financial liabilities of individual councillors appointed by their local authorities to serve on outside bodies by reason of their membership of that outside body. [88927]
§ Mr. LeslieThe potential liabilities of councillors as members of other bodies will depend on a number of issues, notably the terms on which they were appointed and the nature of the body concerned. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends shortly to consult on a draft of an Order to be made under section 101 of the Local Government Act 2000 to give authorities powers to provide indemnities to their members and officers. This will include provision in respect of functions performed by such individuals in their capacity as members or officers, including on outside bodies.