Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a list of the responsibilities that Town and Parish Councils will be expected to take over from District Councils following the creating of new Unitary Authorities; how she plans to fund these changes; and what steps she is planning to take to (i) simplify the procedures for small Parish Councils to merge and (ii) increase staff support for Town and Parish Councils.  [47610]

[Due for Answer on 29 April]

ANSWER

The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon): The government has no intention to require town and parish councils to deliver functions as part of local government reorganisation. It is for those councils that have received the statutory invitation to consider the delivery of public services as they develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area.

Principal local authorities have the power to restructure town and parish councils through the existing Community Governance Review process. Town and parish councils operate independently of central government and are best placed to understand and fulfil their staffing needs, ensuring that this approach delivers strong value for money for local precept payers.