House of Commons Written Answers – 4 November 2010
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to ensure
transparency in the activities of parish councils. [21434]
Robert Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the
answer given to him by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government on 21 October 2010, Official Report, column
813W. It is important that there is transparency in the activities of parish
and towns councils, and accordingly we are requesting them to publish details
of items of expenditure over £500 online, so that local electors know how their
council tax is being spent. We will continue to work with parish councils to
help ensure that they can fulfil this request.