Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will use his powers under section 20 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to ensure that local authority members have the right to have their votes recorded at the conclusion of meetings.
§ Mr. KeyIt is important that members should be able to put on record their support, or otherwise, for questions decided at meetings.
My Department is today consulting the English and Welsh local authority associations on draft regulations which will include a requirement for all county, district and London borough councils to adopt a standing order giving any member the right to have their votes recorded in the minutes at the conclusion of meetings.
My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Inner Cities announced on 22 May that these regulations will also provide for compulsory standing orders on the appointment and dismissal of chief officers and a number of minor procedural matters.