11 April 2003
Government ministers have agreed to alter the Bill paving the way for regional assemblies to ensure referendum ballots have a separate question on the issue of local government reorganisation.
Ministers from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have accepted Liberal Democrat demands to ensure smooth passage through the House of Lords. This means that, in cases where the establishment of an assembly would mean scrapping another tier of local government, there is a second question outlining at least two options for unitary government.
The changes will be made to the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill through an amendment that has been tabled by LibDem peer Baroness Hamwee.
Local government minister Nick Raynsford said: 'This new amendment is consistent with the theme that underpins the entire policy – this is about choice.'
Ministers originally intended to have one referendum question, which would approve the establishment of an assembly and the move to unitary authorities.
The LibDems say the changes will give voters control over the type of unitary structures set up after devolution. It will also mean that voters in those parts of a region with unitary authorities will not now vote on the reorganisation in the remaining areas.
Their local government spokesman, Edward Davey, said: 'These concessions prevent the absurd situation whereby voters unaffected by local government reform would effectively be imposing changes on voters elsewhere in the region.'
A spokesman from lobbying group the Campaign for the English Regions welcomed the news. He said: 'People living in two-tier areas will now be given a real choice about their local government structures.'
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