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Community payback orders are, of course, a sentencing option that is available to courts, but courts will make their judgments based on recommendations that take into account risk assessments, public protection and the background of the individual.
We have also said that the process of engagement in Britain and Europe must be transparent and fully accountable to this Parliament, and we repeat that call today.
As Liam Kerr said, this takes place against the backdrop of long-term cuts to council budgets from the Government. The Accounts Commission confirmed last week that, once emergency Covid funding is accounted for, local authorities have faced a 4.2 per cent reduction in funding.
We are in favour of the elimination of duplication, but we are not in favour of the eradication and removal of local accountability. I believe that there will be increased local accountability.
Could you explain the rationale and decision-making process surrounding the introduction of interim arrangements for the post of accountable officer? Back in May, the chief executive, who was also the accountable officer in the Scottish Police Authority, went on sick leave.
Some solicitors say that it is too difficult and risky for them to deal with and that the client must ask their accountant. It is a sorry state of affairs if people cannot buy a house without asking an accountant how much it will cost—with all due respect to accountants.