HC Deb 20 October 2003 vol 411 c410W
David Taylor

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to increase parish councils' powers under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972. [132898]

Mr. Raynsford

Section 118 of the Local Government Act provides for the maximum amount that a parish or town council can spend per elector under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 to be automatically uprated in line with the annual change in the retail prices index. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends that this power will come into effect in time for the next financial year.

This is additional to the increase in the maximum amount, from £3.50 to £5.00 per elector per year, that took effect at the start of the current financial year.