Member

Lords amendment 37 recognises that reality. The Government’s amendment to consult parish councils where they exist is not good enough, because if they do not exist, they do not exist. The Lords amendment would go further and help make those organisations exist in the first place. If we are serious about devolution, about identity of place and about rebuilding trust in local government, we should be supporting the Lords amendment. I am disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to vote on it.