Local Government Committee, 04 Jul 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, July 4, 2000

Official Report 183KB pdf

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Annual Report

We now move on to the committee's annual report. There are certain rules and regulations about the committees' annual reports. They must contain certain bits of information and should not be longer than 500 words. That is why they will all look the same once they are put in the book.

Are there any comments about the draft? Members should bear in mind that the draft must contain certain things, and I can confirm that they are all present as I have gone through it with the clerk.

I have a minor point to make about the English on the first page of the draft. In the ninth line, there are two "its", which is a mistake. The draft says:

"the Committee decided to concentrate during its first few months of its existence".

It should read "the first few months of its existence".

At this point, I will resign.

Perhaps we should have added a bit more to the last paragraph, which discusses future plans, to make it clear that we have work, rather than implying that we are off to the other assemblies in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and places that are even further away. Given that we agreed to examine the relationship between devolved public bodies and local government, best value and, at some point, provision through local authorities for asylum seekers and refugees, it might be better to add those areas of work to the draft. That is a long programme, but we have discussed those issues and we want to take them up whenever we are able to. I am inclined to ask if we can insert that work into the draft, as it would look better than implying that we are off to places north and south.

If you are looking for suggestions for other areas, there are a couple that are worthy of the committee's consideration. Councils have been asked to undertake a far greater role in community planning and the Executive is considering the introduction of a new power of general competence—I cannot remember exactly what that is to be called. It would be appropriate to consider both the way in which councils are expected to undertake that work and their relationships with all the other bodies and with their communities, to ensure that their role fully encompasses those areas.

I have no problem with that.

I cannot recollect precisely the state of play regarding non-domestic rates. Did we think that they would be included in the general discussion on local government finance, or did we decide to revisit that issue after the revaluation when the figures will be clearer?

I cannot remember, either. [Interruption.] We have written a report and we will ask the minister to come back at some stage. Therefore, that work is continuing.

It could be mentioned in the annual report if you wanted to include another subject.

We will put it in.

Now that we have added in that work, will members give the clerk and me authority to submit the committee's report for the year?

Members indicated agreement.

While we are talking about the end of the year, I wanted the official reporters to stay for this item because I wanted publicly to thank the committee clerks, researchers and official reporters who have helped us during the year. This has been the Local Government Committee's first year—indeed, it has been the first year for every other committee in the Parliament. I have enjoyed it but that may be because I am able to sit here and tell people what to do. That is a much better position than having to sit and listen to me.

I hope that all members of the committee come back, although I know that, at the end of the day, some changes will be made. I will be sorry to lose any of you. I say that without wearing my party political hat. However, if some of you must go, "It's been nice knowing you", as the saying goes. I may see you in another place and we might meet again.

I have invited all of you for a drink in the members' lounge, where we can say to one another what we really mean.

Thank you.

Meeting closed at 17:00.