Member

This amendment is not necessary. The Secretary of State can already set referendum principles for any type of council if he chooses to do so. This would not change by reclassifying some parish councils as major preceptors. The Government’s ability to strike a balance between the generation of income for local services and the interests of taxpayers is an important part of the local government finance system, and the Government do not support attempts to change it. To date, no referendum principles have been set for parish councils. However, this is kept under review each year. The Government encourage councils to consider carefully the burden they place on taxpayers and to mitigate the need for increases. Parish councils, large or small, are closest to their residents and are already directly accountable for their spending decisions, for all the reasons set out by the noble Lord, Lord Shipley.