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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans for shadow unitary authorities to have the power to create new town and parish councils before the unitary is vested.

During the transition to new unitary arrangements, existing councils retain responsibility for undertaking Community Governance Reviews, with shadow councils having a role in the final decision on whether to create new town or parish councils.

The precise powers of a shadow council before vesting day are set out in the relevant Structural Changes Order for the area and in generic legislation applying to all areas undergoing reorganisation.