Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, for her amendment. It would be helpful if I explained the background to Clause 134. The aim of the clause is to extend to by-laws the procedures already in place in the Police Reform Act 2002 for publicising the enforcement arrangements which apply to specified low-level nuisances. This will enable local authorities and local police forces to work together to tackle local nuisances in a joined-up way. These amendments would remove the role of the chief police officer in agreeing with the local authority the by-laws which can be enforced by Police Community Support Officers, as well as relieving him or her of the responsibility for maintaining and publicising the list of by-laws which can be enforced by these officers. The procedures established in the Police Reform Act 2002 were agreed after careful consultation with all interested parties. The Association of Chief Police Officers is content with these provisions. As Police Community Support Officers are employed by chief police officers, it is right that they should retain direct oversight for the list of by-laws which can be enforced by these officers. These lists will be published so that the public are aware of them. I hope that, with that encouragement, noble Lords will agree to withdraw these amendments.