text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Opposition Day - Localism - Powers Relating to High Streets and Town and City Centres
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  @ MP voted no against giving more powers to local communities in relation to high streets and town and city centres.
  @ MP voted aye to give more powers to local communities in relation to high streets and town and city centres.
  
  The majority of MPs voted against giving more powers to local communities in relation to high streets and town and city centres.
  
  The motion rejected in this vote was:
  
  :That this House
  :''recognises'' that high streets and town and city centres are vital to local economies;
  :''acknowledges'' that many small businesses and retailers are struggling under the pressure of business rates rises;
  :''notes'' that since 2010 shop vacancy rates have remained at over 14 per cent but that there has been a 20 per cent increase in numbers of payday loan shops and a three per cent increase in numbers of betting shops in the last year;
  :''is concerned'' that recent changes to permitted development rights and use classes are likely to lead to an over-concentration of betting shops and payday loan companies in many areas, against the wishes of local people and businesses; and
  :''calls on the Government'' to give local communities a greater say over the shape of their own high streets and town and city centres, including control over use classes, to help encourage the more widespread use of neighbourhood planning and greater cooperation between local communities and businesses and to cut and then freeze business rates from 2015 to help small businesses on UK high streets and town and city centres.
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  