Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mel Stride and Greg Clark

Monday 28th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)]

Under the Localism Bill, local people will have the right to prevail in future. Once the Bill has received Royal Assent, every community will have the right to a local plan that will then govern decisions made in future.

[Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con)]

T5. Conservative-controlled Devon county council has reduced chief executive pay and slimmed down middle and senior management, and it will reduce back-office expenditure by £14 million in 2011-12. Will my right hon. Friend join me in commending its efficiency savings? Does he agree that responsible councils should take such actions in order to protect front-line services?