Local Government Reorganisation

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Tuesday 21st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I am very grateful that we will debate that issue tomorrow, because at one point this afternoon I thought we might not. I am very pleased that we will debate the Cambridgeshire development corporation tomorrow.

In relation to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, local government reorganisation is a fundamental change that will affect residents for generations to come. Given the significance of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for national economic growth, which I know the noble Lord will understand from very close quarters, it is very important that we take the time required to get this right. The Secretary of State has indicated that we will aim to reach a decision on which option to implement by October at the latest. We are still committed to the existing timetable, but we wanted to take account of some of the growth issues that are still emerging as we go through the next phase of this decision-making.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, I declare my position as vice-president of the Local Government Association and of the NALC. The Green Party shares many of the concerns expressed from the Front Benches, and indeed the Back Benches, all around your Lordships’ House on the question of process and the imposition from Westminster of arrangements on local areas.

My question follows on from that of the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, about parish and town councils. The Minister said in responding that there would be support, because these are obviously going to be the remaining local representatives who people can go to with very local issues. The Minister said that this would be strengthened. But, of course, many areas of the country do not have parish and town councils. Very often, they are newer-developed and generally poorer areas. Are the Government seriously looking at expanding the coverage of parish and town councils, so that people will have a local representative that they can go to, rather than a far-distant unitary councillor?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

First of all, I do not think that they will be far-distant unitary councillors. In my experience, councillors have a great connection with their local area and they will continue to do so. I will answer the noble Baroness’s question in two ways. There is still a process where people can apply to have a parish or town council for their area. That process remains in place. If people wish to set up a town or parish council, they can do so. The other thing that is coming through very shortly from the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act is the neighbourhood governance process. The details of that will be set before the House very shortly, so we can debate that as well.