Local Government (Hansard, 21 January 1991)

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports he has received from the Boundary Commission to increase the number of parish, community or town councils; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
Two Local Government Boundary Commission reports before my right hon. Friend for his decision recommend the creation of new parishes. The reports concern the borough of Pendle in Lancashire, and the district of Derbyshire Dales.

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered amending the concurrent functions that operate between parish and district councils; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
No: there is no evidence that the concurrent powers of district and parish councils create problems. While there are non-parish areas within district councils, districts must continue to have some powers in these fields.

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received to increase the number of parish and town councils in England; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Key
There have been no recent representations on this subject. Since Ministers have power to create new parishes only on the recommendation of the Local Government Boundary Commission, the question is in the first place for them, and for the district councils on whom the primary responsibility for reviewing the structure of parishes lies.

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new parish, community or town councils have been created since 1974; and if he will give details of their location.

§ Mr. Key
The Department publishes an annual bulletin of changes in local government structure, including the creation of new parishes on the recommendation of the Local Government Boundary Commission and the creation of new parish councils by district councils. Copies are being placed in the Library of the House.

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations to introduce parish councils in the larger cities; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
There have been no recent representations on this subject. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England considered proposals to create new parishes throughout the city of Birmingham, but did not recommend that change.

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to give statutory powers to parish councils to have access to information of any proposals for change of services or facilities involving parish councils; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
No: though the role of parish councils is relevant to the current review of local government.

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if parish councils are to receive any part of the uniform business rate; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
The proceeds from the uniform business rate go into the collection fund operated by the charging authority in each area. Each local authority makes a demand on the collection fund for its income. Parish councils therefore have the same access to business rate income as do county and district councils.

§ Mr. O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice is given to parish councils on obtaining grants to carry out environmental improvements in their area; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
No general advice is issued, but the Department is happy to give what advice it can in specific cases when asked.