Brixham Town Council

Mr. Steen
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she expects the proposed town council for Brixham to be established before 1 April 2007 as referred to in a letter from the Chairman of the Electoral Commission to the hon. Member for Totnes of 27 April 2006.

Mr. Woolas
The Department for Communities and Local Government made an order on 4 December 2006 creating a new parish of Brixham with effect from 1 April 2007. This order directs Torbay council to establish a parish council for the new parish. The parish council once created may resolve to call itself a town council.

Mr. Steen
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the timetable will be for the election of a town council for Brixham; and whether she plans to schedule it to coincide with the election for the unitary authority on 5 May 2007.

Mr. Woolas
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 April 2006, Official Report, column 924W, advising that the electoral arrangements for the new parish council of Brixham are the responsibility of the Electoral Commission. Subject to the Commission issuing an order for electoral arrangements this should be in time for any elections in 2007.