Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Statutory Public Consultations

Monday 20 February 2023 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Statutory public consultations are assessed as essential for improving local decision making and public services.
  • The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill aims to strengthen community engagement in planning through digital services.
  • The Minister expressed concern over the Mayor of London's ultra low emission zone expansion despite public opposition.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

The MP questions the contribution of statutory public consultations to local decision-making, particularly focusing on recent assessments and their effectiveness.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the contribution of statutory public consultations to local decision making?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

Meaningful engagement with local communities is essential to the improvement of public services, and our reforms in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill will strengthen community engagement in planning and increase the opportunities for engagement through the development of digital services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked about a recent assessment but the answer provided general statements on the importance of public consultations without providing specific assessments or evaluations.

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Q2 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Transport Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP criticises the Mayor of London for proceeding with an expansion of the ultra low emission zone despite significant opposition expressed in a public consultation, questioning the integrity of the democratic process.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend and welcome her back to her well-deserved place on the Treasury Bench. Would she agree that the Mayor of London's decision to go ahead with the expansion of the ultra low emission zone despite overwhelming opposition to the scheme expressed in a public consultation shows complete contempt for the people of outer London? Would she further agree that what appears to be a clear attempt by Transport for London to interfere with the outcome of the consultation in order to predetermine the result further undermines the democratic process?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I thank my hon. Friend for his vital question. I have seen the reports he refers to and I totally share his concerns about the consultation process led by the Mayor of London. Clearly these plans will have a significant impact on the communities that my hon. Friend represents so ably, which is why we must get to the bottom of what happened and hold the Mayor of London to account.

Answered
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