Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Accountability of Locally Elected Representatives

Monday 7 March 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Localism Act 2011 sets out a robust framework for local authority standards and accountability, including codes of conduct and sanctions for non-compliance.
  • Local news providers remain uniquely placed to undertake investigative journalism and scrutiny of public institutions, which is vital for a healthy democracy at the local level.
  • Officials are consistently looking at ways to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010 to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in local government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Whittingdale Con Maldon
Standards & Ethics Local Government
Context

The question follows discussions about the importance of local accountability as part of strengthening local institutions under the levelling-up agenda.

Question

What steps is the government taking with local authorities to ensure the accountability of locally elected representatives?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Localism Act 2011 sets out a robust framework for local authority standards and accountability. All local authorities must adopt a code of conduct, with sanctions when members do not adhere. I recently met the chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life to reaffirm that the Government will respond shortly to his committee's report on this issue.

Answered
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Q2 John Whittingdale Con Maldon
Democracy & Elections Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The context is the importance of local accountability and the role of local media in providing scrutiny. The questioner notes the pressures faced by local news providers.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that as the Government strengthen locally elected institutions, it becomes all the more important to sustain local media for proper scrutiny? Will she look at what more can be done?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

My right hon. Friend is right. Local news providers remain uniquely placed to undertake the investigative journalism and scrutiny of public institutions that is vital to ensuring a healthy democracy at local level. This is primarily a matter for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question about what more can be done was not addressed specifically.

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Local Government
Context

The member expresses disagreement with the current government's perspective on local authority morale, stating that under Conservative governance, local councils lack sufficient resources to effectively perform their duties.

Question

Am I living in a parallel universe? The morale of local authorities is at rock bottom because of years of Conservative Government and scarce resources. Local councillors want to level up but it feels like pie in the sky to constituents.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I did not hear a question, so I will just disagree with the hon. Gentleman.

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Q4 Robert Buckland Con
Women & Equalities Standards & Ethics
Context

The member highlights issues related to accessibility of local government websites and buildings, referencing the Disability Policy Centre's report on barriers faced by disabled individuals.

Question

Accountability in local government should include participation from all. The Disability Policy Centre reported that only two in five local authority homepages are accessible for people with disabilities. What work will the Government do to ensure more access?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

My right hon. and learned Friend raises a very important issue. Officials are consistently looking at ways to ensure we comply with the Equality Act 2010. If there is a specific example he would like to give me, I would appreciate it if he wrote to me.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question about what work will be done was not answered directly.

How: Writing For More Information

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