Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal in the report by Onward The Policies of Belonging, published on 12 January, that every local area should have the 'right to self government' through a parish or town council; and, further to this, what assessment they have made of proposals for the removal of the ability of principal local authorities to veto proposals for new town and parish councils.

My department notes the proposals set out in this report and the calls to remove the formal role of principal councils in the creation of town and parish councils. It is however the government’s view that democratically elected and accountable local government has a vital role to play in this process, ensuring that councils can take a strategic view on governance on behalf of their communities. The Devolution white paper will set out the government’s plans for levelling up all areas of the country and empowering our communities.