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Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

I commend what my noble friend has said; he has asked some very pertinent questions. Clause 214(2)(c) states: "““the taking of specified actions by a member or officer of a local authority who is a trustee of a trust connected with that local authority””." That provision opens up questions of possible conflicts of interest between the local authority and the trust, or the independence of the trust. There are, I know, circumstances in which that does occur. I can imagine, for example, that a regeneration trust for a community, which is registered as a charity, may be seeking funding and assistance from the local authority in constructing a bid, and there may be great merit in either an officer or a member on the local authority being involved in this. Subsection (2) states, "““requires, prohibits or regulates””," although the amendment refers only to ““regulates””. I wonder whether this is going over the top in trying to control the activities within local authorities, as my noble friend has said. I am looking at the provision specifically from the point of view of trusts, which could be extremely useful in advancing the interests of the community in terms of employment and innovation.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

694 c465 

Session

2006-07

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber
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