Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008

I was explaining what we intended to do about parish councils. My right honourable friend said this in the other place in response to similar concerns; we have always recognised that six-year terms are not ideal, so with the 2009 elections we would ask the implementation executive to consult the parishes and county and consider moving parish election dates if that is wanted locally. These long and indefinite periods are not set in stone. The noble Baroness raised important points about the nature of Northumberland. I appreciate that the noble Baroness, Lady Maddock, is not here, as she would speak very eloquently on these matters. We recognise the sparsity and the differences between parts of a very large county, but there are a lot of cross-commuter flows these days; it is not as if those rigid distinctions and barricades are as high as they used to be. There is a high degree of strategic co-ordination. One thing that is most encouraging about the process is the way in which each of these authorities has come forward with community governance arrangements. The noble Baroness referred to the character of Northumberland. The area partnerships of local partners and stakeholders will be based on area committees, based on three characteristic communities: the urban south-east, the rural commuter belt and the genuinely rural north and west. Underneath those, they are creating what they rather beautifully call ““belonging communities””—26 community areas that will have some powers and opportunities devolved to them, which will also include people from councils and the VCS, and so on. It will give people who feel the loss of their district councils another form of local influence, visibility, profile and connection. We have seen that in all the different proposals that have come forward in different ways. I hope that that will help to make that transition more comfortable for people and that they will be effective bodies. The noble Baroness also raised the question about what to call the new council in Durham. In the order, as she said, the authority is called the County Durham Council. The order adapts its approach to reflect the new start and specifically provides that all members of the current Durham County Council cease to hold office on the fourth day after the 2008 election day. There should be no doubt that that is what is intended.