HC Deb 20 October 2003 vol 411 cc407-8W
Mr. Hoban

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to bring forward legislation to extend the tenure of councillors. [132913]

Mr. Raynsford

On 6 May 2003 the Government announced its intention to move the date of the English local council and Greater London authority elections in 2004 from 6 May to 10 June. This will enable them to be combined with the European Parliamentary elections and provide convenience to electors, enabling them to participate in all the elections at the same time rather than voting twice in a short period of time. As a consequence of combining these elections, the term of office for those sitting councillors in England affected will be extended by five weeks with that for councillors elected on 10 June 2004 being reduced by five weeks. The Government will shortly be consulting key stakeholders on draft legislation which facilitates these intentions. More generally there are no plans at present to bring forward legislation to extend the tenure of Councillors but the Terms of Reference of the current review of electoral cycles in local government, being undertaken by the Electoral Commission, includes identifying options for change which may include, if appropriate, options involving changes to councillor's terms of office

John Cryer

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will(a) estimate expenditure on councillors' allowances in each London borough in the past five years and (b) estimate expenditure on councillors' allowances in the financial year 2003–04 within each London borough. [133277]

Mr. Raynsford

The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.