Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve Baker and Lord Pickles

Monday 17th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Pickles]

It is as the right hon. Gentleman says.

Of course we are not looking to affect my hon. Friend’s constituency. The green belt is immensely important. It is a green lung and prevents major conurbations from bumping into one another.

[Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to diminish planning inspectors’ powers over those who are democratically elected?

[Mr Pickles]

My hon. Friend must have come across some grumpy planning inspectors. By and large, they are there to introduce the national planning policy framework, and to ensure that decisions are made in accordance with it. Local democratically elected representatives have a duty to look to the well-being of their constituents not only now, but in future. There must always be a balance, but the green belt remains very safe.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve Baker and Lord Pickles

Monday 20th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con)]

12. What steps he is considering in relation to senior pay in local government.

[The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles)]

We have been clear that we expect councils to demonstrate much more restraint in the local decisions they make on senior pay. In addition, we have introduced measures in the Localism Bill and we are improving transparency arrangements to ensure greater local democratic accountability in determining senior pay.

[Steve Baker]

Many senior business men and their staff in my constituency have taken pay cuts as a result of part-time working through the downturn. Is local government sharing that pain?

[Mr Pickles]

I am delighted to tell my hon. Friend that a survey by one of the trade papers showed that chief executives’ salaries have dropped by 14%. In my view, that is certainly a very good start. We have asked chief executives who are earning more than £150,000 to take a 5% cut, and those earning more than £200,000 to take a cut too. They need to do that so they can look their front-line staff in the eye when taking these difficult decisions.