§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the timetable for the review of local government structures in two-tier areas in the three northern regions of England. [HL3492]
§ The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)As my right honourable Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made clear in the Statement on 16 June 2003,(Official Report, col. 21), the Boundary Committee was directed to start its reviews no later than 17 June 2003 and to complete them by no later than 25 May 2004.
§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the estimated cost within each region, both centrally and to each local authority, of the review of local government structures in two-tier areas in the three northern regions of England. [HL3493]
§ Lord RookerThe Boundary Committee estimates that it will incur costs in the region of £6.5 million in conducting reviews of the three northern regions. It is not possible to attribute these costs to individual regions.
The level of costs incurred by each local authority will depend on their own decisions about the extent and nature of their participation in the review process.
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§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
In what ways the electors will be consulted on the review of local government structures in two-tier areas in the three northern regions of England. [HL3494]
§ Lord RookerSection 15 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 provides for the procedure which the Boundary Committee is to adopt in undertaking reviews.
The committee is required to take such steps as it considers sufficient to ensure that persons who may be interested in a review are informed about it and given the opportunity to make representations at the outset of the review and when it publishes its draft recommendations.
In the light of recommendations from the Boundary Committee, the Government will arrange for a referendum to be held, giving electors in two-tier areas of the region an opportunity to say which of two or more options for unitary local government they prefer.
§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the reviews of local government structures in two-tier areas in the three northern regions of England will take into account any representations they receive in favour of the status quo; and whether they will include the fact they have received such representations in their reports. [HL3495]
§ Lord RookerIt is for the Boundary Committee to decide both the relevance of representations it receives, including representations for options that it has no power to recommend, such as the status quo, and how it presents its recommendations.
§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the position with regard to ongoing reviews of electoral boundaries in local authorities such as Lancashire which are included in the review of local government structures in two-tier areas in the three northern regions of England. [HL3496]
§ Lord RookerThis is a matter for the Electoral Commission.
§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What criteria they are stipulating or intend to stipulate in relation to the geographical, economic or social nature, community relationships, size or other matters relating to proposed unitary authorities in the review of local government structures in two-tier areas in the three northern regions of England. [HL3497]
§ Lord RookerThe Government have issued policy and procedural guidance to the committee, to which it must have regard under section 14(8)(e) of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003. Copies of the guidance were placed in the Library of the House on 16 June.