Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

An important concession in the Localism Bill.

In its original form, the Localism Bill gave ministers sole power to force councils to pay fines levied by the EU against the UK Government for missing national targets which the Government had agreed to.

Following sustained lobbying by the Local Government Association (LGA), the Government has made a number of key concessions.

Amendments include

Proposals to pass fines to local authorities will be subject to votes in both the Commons and the Lords.

Ministers cannot pass on fines to local authorities in respect of anything that took place before that specific Parliamentary vote.

If a council contests the fine, the issue will be ruled on by an independent panel that includes local government representatives nominated by the LGA.