Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

Before my noble friend responds, perhaps I may ask the noble Baroness a couple of questions. I am sorry that I was not here at the beginning and cannot stay until the end, but I am interested in understanding how the regional bodies will now work, especially in my region of the north-east, where we will not have any district councils. The noble Baroness was referring to the way in which local involvement will happen. I do not expect her to answer now, but I wonder whether she could give some thought to how it will operate in a region such as the north-east, especially in my home county of Northumberland, which is a very big area, and how people will have any input into the strategies. Even where we have had district councils, it has been quite difficult for people to engage. One of the big issues in our area is housing. As I said, I do not expect the noble Baroness to respond now, but I hope that she and her colleagues have given some thought as to how that will operate in the north-east and how there can be meaningful engagement down to the local level.