Climate Change Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 168B: 168B: Schedule 2, page 48, line 12, at end insert— ““( ) The regulations must not make enforcement the responsibility of local authorities.”” The noble Earl said: This is a probing amendment. Perhaps I should start by declaring an interest. I have been a councillor on Breckland District Council in Norfolk for the past 10 years. During that time local authorities have had increased responsibilities foisted on them in a number of areas, including: strengthened rules on food hygiene; changes to licensing laws; legislation on open access and rights of way; new data requirements on schools and their pupils; disposal costs of waste to landfill by tonnage; antisocial behaviour and dangerous dogs legislation, both of which have recently come from the police to local authorities; data protection and freedom of information laws; equalities and diversities regulations, and so on. These new duties cost local authorities money and it all adds up. Local authorities are given these greater tasks without being given greater resources to match, which leads to greater pressure to increase council tax. Can the Minister give an estimate of the increased financial burden to local authorities that will be incurred by the Government’s proposals in this area, and do the Government intend to help local authorities financially? I beg to move.