§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to allow local authorities which choose to establish area or neighbourhood committees to delegate decision-making on matters concerning their locality. [57782]
§ Mr. RaynsfordBringing councils closer to the people and empowering local communities is at the heart of our policies. We believe the new political management structures proposed in our White Paper—"Modern Local Government—In touch with the people" (Cm 4014)—will ensure councils are best able to take decision which are open, accountable, and meet the needs of all their local neighbourhoods and communities.