§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what correspondence he has received concerning the definition of a member in the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003; and what steps he is taking to amend the definition. [161515]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received a number of letters from Parish Councils in recent weeks, many sent via their local Member of Parliament, in respect of the definition of a member in the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations.
This definition excludes un-elected parish councillors who are not therefore entitled to receive allowances for travel and subsistence. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be amending the regulations governing councillors' allowances shortly so that all parish councillors are eligible to receive such allowances.