Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

moved Amendment No. 201A: 201A: Clause 79, page 54, line 14, leave out ““an eligible”” and insert ““a”” The noble Baroness said: I have four amendments in this group—Amendments Nos. 201A, 202, 204A and 204B. They seek to widen the scope of those parishes that can promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their areas. Although we welcome the Government’s thrust on this issue and see it as a minor devolutionary measure, we do not entirely understand the provision that: "““A parish council is ‘eligible’ for the purposes of this Part if the council meets the conditions prescribed by the Secretary of State””." Perhaps the Minister will tell us what that prescription is. By stating that a parish council can promote the power of well-being only if it is eligible, the criteria determined by the Secretary of State makes this measure extremely restrictive. The power of well-being should not be a gift from the Secretary of State. It is a principle of localism that we wish to see taken from the hands of the Secretary of State and given to the local people. The amendment would see the power extended to all councils that had been elected through contested elections whether they are eligible under the Secretary of State’s definition or not. This is in line with our approach of being as permissive as possible in relation to devolved powers. The Under-Secretary of State stated that she rejected this Conservative amendment because, "““its application could be very broad””,—[Official Report, Commons, 22/5/07; col. 1190.]" and that it should be restricted to those who satisfy the criteria based on the quality parish and town council scheme. However, approximately only 3 per cent of parishes throughout the country qualify under that scheme, so that would heavily undermine the Government's ability to promote well-being at the grassroots level. That is the main thrust of the amendments. Many parishes are democratically elected bodies that deliver local services to their communities. Whether parishes satisfy the criteria of the quality parish scheme or not, they are the bodies that are close to the heart of their communities. They are the backbone of community involvement and thus an important part of community life. Why do the Government feel that the powers should be limited by this quality-qualifying criteria? I beg to move.