Following the Government's statement on plans for local government reorganisation, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown asks the Minister to clarify when a decision will be made regarding the Gloucestershire County Council elections that are due to take place in May.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (North Cotswolds) (Con)
The people of Gloucestershire are expecting elections this May to their county council. If that is not to happen, will the Minister tell us precisely when the date will be decided, for all the reasons so excellently set out by my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David Simmonds)?
The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon)
The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. Clarity is important for areas; they need to know whether they will go ahead with elections so that they can organise. We seek to give clarity by the end of the month, so in a couple of weeks at most.