Member

We know that the existence of a power of entry, even one rarely used, changes the character of the relationship between citizen and authority. At a time when public confidence in local decision-making is precious and when we should be looking to promote proportionate approaches to neighbourhood disputes, this is precisely the kind of redundant power that ought to be removed from the statute book. It is not only a matter of principle, although principle is certainly at stake; it is a matter of clarity and good governance. In pruning back this outlier power, we would produce a statute book that is more coherent and consistent with long-established protections for private property. I beg to move.