§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for the creation of new parishes under the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 his Department has received; what is the average time taken to determine the applications; and what were the outcomes of such determinations. [44391]
§ Mr. RaynsfordSince 1 May 1997, my right hon. Friend has received seven requests for new parishes in the form of petitions and 13 from district councils following parish reviews. To date, he has decided that three new parishes should be created; he has yet to decide on the other requests.
The three parishes for East Cowes, Beverley and Cottingham were all requested by petition and took, on average, around six months from receipt of paperwork to the decision being made.