Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of independent scrutiny of the decision to postpone local elections in reorganisation areas.

In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils. Requests for postponements came from councils and have been considered on their merits on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all other representations received. Parliament has given the Secretary of State the power to make an Order to change the year of council elections. There are Parliamentary procedures for MPs and Peers to debate and vote on an Order.