Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

Before the noble Baroness sits down—or even before the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, stands up—perhaps I may continue. The permitted resolution periods under Part 2 will ensure that at least one full electoral cycle is completed under any new scheme. We believe that this is the right approach. Noble Lords should note also—this is the point that the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, is trying to draw out of me—that the Bill currently provides for a resolution to be passed by a two-thirds majority which will ensure that changes will be made only when a significant majority of the council support a change. This is an important safeguard that we believe should provide stability and mean that councils will not switch backwards and forwards between different schemes of elections with, for example, every change of political control. With that additional note into the record, I hope that the noble Lord will consider withdrawing the amendment.