§ 11. Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent representations he has received concerning the new arrangements for registration of interests by parish councillors. [55537]
§ 25. Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent representations he has had from parish councils about the introduction of the new code of conduct. [55554]
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§ Dr. WhiteheadSince the New Year, there have been 268 representations received by my Department about the model code of conduct for parishes.
§ Mr. Mark FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures the Government are undertaking to encourage public participation in parish councils. [57328]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe Government are encouraging public engagement with, and participation in local democracy across, all tiers of local government, including parish councils.
The consultation paper on Quality Parish and Town councils took forward a key aim of the rural White Paper "Our Countryside: the Future—a Fair Deal for Rural England", that is to help parish councils develop a new role in giving the communities they serve the opportunity to help shape their future. In order to gain quality status, we are proposing that parish councils will need to pass six tests, for instance to show that their seats have been filled by members who have been democratically elected and that they are holding a minimum number of open council meetings.
The Government are also providing £5 million to help 1,000 rural communities develop town or village plans that will set out the facilities and services they need.