§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that(a) local authorities and 1822W (b) parish councils arc obliged to inform landowners of proposed changes to parish boundaries which might affect the prospect of housing development on their land. [189530]
§ Mr. RaynsfordProcedures to be followed by local authorities when consulting on reviews of parish arrangements in their area including any proposed changes to parish boundaries are contained in the Local Government and Rating Act 1997.
Local authorities are under statutory obligation to secure that persons who may be interested in proposals to change parish boundaries are informed of reviews and recommendations. This may include advertising in the local press, notices in local libraries and, particularly in smaller areas, an individual notification to affected households. In areas that are already parished it may be appropriate to call a parish meeting to consider proposals to change parish boundaries.