division_name: Local Government Bill [Lords] - Proportional representation for local elections in England and Wales
motion: <p>Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill. 
  <p> 
  (4) Any statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament."
   
  
   
  (2) In Schedule 12 to that Act (meetings and proceedings of local authorities), after paragraph 4 there is inserted--
   
  
   
  "4A.--(1) The Secretary of State may by order amend paragraph 4(2) above so as to substitute for the reference to three clear days such greater number of days as may be specified in the order.
   
  
   
  (2) Any statutory instrument containing an order under sub-paragraph (1) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.".'.-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p>Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill. 
  
   <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 111, in page 16, line 42, leave out paragraph (a) and insert--
   
  '( ) as to the circumstances in which meetings mentioned in subsection (2), or particular proceedings at such meetings, must be open to the public,
   
  ( ) as to the circumstances in which meetings mentioned in subsection (2), or particular proceedings at such meetings, must be held in private,'.
   
  No. 112, in page 17, line 19, at end insert--
   
  '(9A) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for or in connection with requiring prescribed information about prescribed decisions made in connection with the discharge of functions which are the responsibility of a local authority executive to be made available to members of the public or members of the authority.
   
  (9B) The provision which may be made under subsection (9A) includes provision--
   
  (a) requiring prescribed information to be made available in advance of the prescribed decisions mentioned in that subsection,
   
  (b) as to the way or form in which prescribed information is to be made available.'.-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
   
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 195, in page 77, line 13, after "he" insert--
   
  'resigns as deputy mayor or'.
   
  No. 196, in page 77, line 31, at end insert--
   
  '( ) The executive arrangements may include provision with respect to--
   
  (a) the election and term of office of the executive leader, and
   
  (b) the appointment and term of office of members of the executive appointed under section 10(3)(b)(ii).'.
   
  No. 197, in page 77, line 42, at end insert--
   
  '( ) The executive arrangements may include provision with respect to the appointment and term of office of the council manager.'.
   
  No. 198, in page 78, line 4, after "he" insert--
   
  'resigns as deputy mayor or'.
   
  No. 199, in page 78, line 46, leave out paragraph (a).
  <p>
   
  No. 220, in page 79, line 6, after "executive,", insert--
   
  'which is held in private'.
   
  No. 200, in page 79, line 15, leave out sub-paragraph (4).
   
  No. 201, in page 81, line 37, at beginning insert--
   
  'Except for the expression "local authority",'.
   
  No. 202, in page 81, line 37, leave out "9" and insert "10".-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 113, in page 19, line 12, leave out--
   
  '(within the meaning of section 30)'
   
  and insert--
   
  'of a particular type permitted by regulations under section 30'.-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 114, in page 20, line 12, leave out "made" and insert "given".-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 115, in page 21, line 19, leave out "by or under" insert--
   
  'under either or both of the following--
   
  ( )''. 
   
  No. 116, in page 21, line 20, leave out "or" and insert "and
   
  ( )''. -- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 117, in page 22, line 35, leave out "the proper" and insert "an".-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 118, in page 24, line 21, leave out--
   
  'with respect to the discharge of their functions'.-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 119, in page 25, line 9, leave out "and" and insert "or".-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 120, in page 25, line 43, leave out subsection (2).-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 121, in page 27, line 13, leave out "Act" and insert "Part".-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 122, in page 28, line 30, at end insert--
   
  ' "alternative arrangements" has the meaning given by section 30(1),'.
   
  No. 123, in page 28, line 42, at end insert--
   
  ' "fall-back proposals" and "outline fall-back proposals" are to be construed in accordance with section 26(1) and (2),'.
   
  No. 218, in page 29, line 17, leave out paragraph (b) and insert--
   
  '( ) in the case of a London borough, is a reference to the person who (disregarding paragraph 5A of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 1972) is referred to in Part I of that Schedule as the mayor of the borough,'.
   
  No. 219, in page 29, line 23, leave out paragraph (b) and insert--
   
  '( ) in the case of a London borough, is a reference to the person who (disregarding paragraph 5A of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 1972) is referred to in Part I of that Schedule as the deputy mayor of the borough,'.
   
  No. 124, in page 29, line 34, at end insert--
   
  '( ) Any directions given by the Secretary of State under any provision of this Part--
   
  (a) may be varied or revoked by subsequent directions given by him under that provision, and
   
  (b) may make different provision for different cases, local authorities or descriptions of local authority.'.-- [Mr.  Mike Hall.] 
   
  <p>
   I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
   
  
  <p> 
      Mr. Deputy Speaker:   
   With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment No. 34, in page 33, line 26, at end insert--
   
  
  <p>It being five and one-quarter hours after the commencement of proceedings on the programme motion,  Mr. Deputy Speaker,  pursuant to Order [this day], put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair. 
  <p>Question put and negatived. 
  
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 125, in page 29, line 42, at end insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 126, in page 29, line 45, at end insert "(other than police authorities)".
   
  No. 127, in page 30, line 7, at end insert--
   
  '( ) Before making an order under this section so far as it relates to police authorities in Wales, the Secretary of State must consult--
   
  (a) such representatives of police authorities in Wales as he considers appropriate,
   
  (b) the Commission for Local Administration in Wales, and
   
  (c) the National Assembly for Wales.'.
   
  No. 128, in page 30, line 30, leave out--
   
  'established under section 3 of the Police Act 1996'.-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 129, in page 30, line 46, after "England" insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 130, in page 31, line 3, after "Wales" insert "other than police authorities".
   
  No. 131, in page 31, line 15, leave out from "section" to end of line 16 and insert--
   
  ' 46, before an order is made under that section'.-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 132, in page 32, line 19, leave out "their principal office" and insert--
   
  'an office of the authority'.
   
  No. 133, in page 32, line 30, after "England" insert--
   
  'or a police authority in Wales'.
   
  No. 134, in page 32, line 31, leave out "or".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 135, in page 33, line 34, after "England" insert--
   
  'or a police authority in Wales'.
   
  No. 136, in page 33, line 36, after "England" insert--
   
  'or a police authority in Wales'.
   
  No. 137, in page 33, line 47, at end insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 138, in page 34, line 16, after "England" insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 139, in page 34, line 18, after "England" insert--
   
  'or a police authority in Wales'.
   
  No. 140, in page 34, line 21, after "England" insert--
   
  'and a police authority in Wales'.
   
  No. 141, in page 34, line 24, after "England" insert--
   
  'or a police authority in Wales'.
   
  No. 142, in page 34, line 30, after "Wales" insert "other than police authorities".
   
  No. 143, in page 35, line 6, after "Wales" insert "(other than police authorities)".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 144, in page 35, line 32, at end insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 145, in page 35, line 35, at end insert "(other than police authorities)".
   
  No. 146, in page 35, line 38, at end insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 147, in page 35, line 41, at end insert "(other than police authorities)".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 148, in page 38, line 35, after "England" insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 149, in page 38, line 38, after "England" insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 150, in page 43, line 25, at beginning insert "subject to subsection (4)(b)".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 151, in page 46, line 38, after "Wales" insert "(other than police authorities)".
   
  No. 152, in page 46, line 41, after "Wales" insert "(other than police authorities)".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 153, in page 47, line 31, leave out "inform" and insert "give written notification to".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 154, in page 48, line 44, at beginning insert "subject to subsection (4)(b)".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 155, in page 49, line 45, after "suspend" insert "or partially suspend".-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 156, in page 51, line 21, at end insert--
   
  '( ) In its application to police authorities in Wales, subsection (1) has effect as if for the reference to the National Assembly for Wales there were substituted a reference to the Secretary of State.'.-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendment made:  No. 157, in page 59, line 11, leave out "Wales" and insert--
   
  'standards committees of relevant authorities in Wales (other than police authorities)'.-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 158, in page 59, line 17, at end insert--
   
  'and police authorities in Wales'.
   
  No. 159, in page 59, line 20, at end insert "(other than police authorities)".
   
  No. 160, in page 59, line 31, at end insert--
   
  '( ) Before making an order under this section so far as it relates to police authorities in Wales, the Secretary of State must consult--
   
  (a) such representatives of police authorities in Wales, and of employees of such authorities, as he considers appropriate,
   
  (b) the Commission for Local Administration in Wales, and
   
  (c) the National Assembly for Wales.'.
   
  No. 161, in page 59, line 34, leave out--
   
  'local government, and of local government employees, in Wales'
   
  and insert--
   
  'relevant authorities in Wales, and of employees of such authorities,'.
   
  No. 209, in page 59, line 44, leave out from "means" to end of line 4 on page 60 and insert--
   
  'an employee of the authority other than an employee falling with any description of employee specified in regulations under this subsection.
  <p>
   
  ( ) The power to make regulations under subsection (7) is to be exercised--
   
  (a) in relation to England, by the Secretary of State, and
   
  (b) in relation to Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales.'.-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 162, in page 60, line 16, leave out--
   
  'in relation to a relevant authority to which Part II of this Act applies'.
   
  No. 163, in page 60, line 24, at end insert--
   
  ' "police authority" means a police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1996,'.
   
  No. 164, in page 60, line 36, at end insert--
   
  '( ) Any reference in this Part to a member of a relevant authority, in the case of the Greater London Authority, is a reference to the Mayor of London or a London Assembly member.'.
   
  No. 165, in page 61, line 8, leave out paragraphs (b) and (c).
   
  No. 166, in page 61, line 20, leave out paragraphs (b) and (c).
   
  No. 167, in page 61, line 29, at end insert--
   
  '(b) if the authority is one to which Part II of this Act applies, for being or becoming a member of an executive of the authority.'
   
  No. 168, in page 61, line 43, at end insert--
   
  '( ) Any functions which are conferred by virtue of this Part on a relevant authority to which Part II of this Act applies are not to be the responsibility of an executive of the authority under executive arrangements.
   
  ( ) Any functions which are conferred on the Greater London Authority by virtue of this Part are to be exercisable by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly acting jointly on behalf of the Authority.'.-- [Mr.  Touhig.] 
   
  <p>
   I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
  <p> 
  
    Members present who served on the Committee that considered the Bill will be well aware that a considerable amount of our time was spent debating what measures could be taken to improve the public's interest and involvement in local government, and in particular what measures could be taken that would improve turnout at local government elections.
  <p>In too many town halls today there is no effective opposition. The introduction of a reformed local electoral system, which will give representation to opposition parties and which more accurately reflects their electoral performance, is needed.
  <p>What I don't understand is why the government hasn't simply opted for proportional representation.
  <p>But I've also always said that there's a very different case when it comes to the voting systems at a local level.
  <p>no party can ever totally dominate for years.
  <p>without PR, Labour will continue to be embarrassed by its one-party local states.
  <p>Strong local government needs the backing of the local community, and the best possible people as councillors. Proportional representation is one of the best ways to achieve this.
  <p>Almost 300,000 people did not use their second preference vote for the Mayor. . . . About 130,000 did not cast a vote for a constituency assembly member and about 70,000 did not cast a vote for a London assembly member.--[ Official Report,  29 June 2000; Vol. 352, col. 599W.]
  <p>The current first-past-the-post voting system in local government elections often results in major discrepancies between the proportion of votes cast and the proportion of seats parties win on the council. Inflated majorities resulting in long periods of effectively <p>unchallenged one-party rule can often generate a sense of complacency in the dominant party, with electoral success regarded as a foregone conclusion.
  <p>Question put,  That the clause be read a Second time:--
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 39, Noes 284.
  