Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]

Actually, I feel a little ashamed for not appreciating this matter at the time of the 2000 Act. I regret not having made an issue of it in the House at the time; no doubt I was distracted by other things. However, that Act has diminished local authorities' decision-making options and freedoms to decide how they reach their conclusions. I emphasise to the House that, if it agrees to my new clause, it would simply restore those options to local authorities. However, I cannot disguise my bias in favour of the committee system, which worked well in so many ways. Even in councils with pretty strong and rigorous party political operations, that system allowed a degree of involvement and—dare I say it—power sharing with those not of the persuasion of the majority party. I look to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Graham Stringer), who, for many years, was a member of Manchester city council. It was one of the greatest local authorities. Under a previous distinguished leader—I forget this name; it was Bob—