Member

I appreciate the intention of my noble friend Lord Bassam’s Amendment 206. We want to ensure that regulations include a degree of flexibility to take a place based approach to neighbourhood governance, respecting the principle of local choice. We want to avoid mandating specific structures and representation requirements. Again, recognising the important role that town and parish councils play in local democracy and service delivery, arrangements for neighbourhood governance should complement the work of these councils and enhance community partnership opportunities. We encourage good partnership working between local authorities and town and parish councils to make sure that neighbourhood governance is effective.