DRAFT STRUCTURAL CHANGES ORDERS 2010

That this House asks for the withdrawal of the Draft Exeter and Devon (Structural Changes) Order 2010 and the draft Norwich and Norfolk (Structural Changes) Order 2010 on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence that the course proposed in the Orders will solve the problem identified without creating unacceptable consequences elsewhere; believes that it is clearly wrong to depart from published procedures based on five published criteria during the application process without further consultation; further believes that the Department's compelling reasons for the change are not compelling to any reasonable person; further believes that the proposed timing of cancelling local elections affects local democracy unreasonably; notes that the Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the draft Orders unusually does not make a clear, evidence-based case for the policy proposal; and further notes the exchange between the Permanent Secretary and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.