HC Deb 29 July 1988 vol 138 cc802-3W
Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he received any application from councillors of Horsham district council for dispensation to vote on the proposal to transfer an empty council house to the Horsham Conservative Association;

(2) what account he has taken of the decision of Horsham council to vote on the proposal to transfer an empty council house to the Horsham Conservative Association in drawing up proposals for a revised national code of conduct for local government.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Yes. The two applications for the Secretary of State's dispensation under section 97(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 were dealt with in accordance with the long-established policy contained in DOE circular 105/73. Where a member's declared interest is immediate the prohibition on speaking and voting is generally strictly maintained, unless at least half the council or relevant committee would otherwise be disabled. In the cases in question, some 35 of the 43 members of the council were disabled, and dispensations to speak and vote were given.

The White Paper on the "Conduct of Local Authority Business" (Cm. 433), published on 21 July, indicates that the Government will consult the local authority associations in drawing up a revised national code of local government conduct. We shall of course take account of all relevant information in doing so.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call in the decision of Horsham district council to grant planning permission to the Horsham Conservative Association to use an empty council house for its office; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 26 July 1988]: No. This is not a matter of national or regional importance. I understand that the premises currently used by the Horsham Conservative Association are due to be demolished as part of the town centre redevelopment scheme, and that Horsham district council has given planning permission for two years for the use of premises, also affected by the town centre redevelopment scheme, as offices.