Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Rosie Cooper

Main Page: Rosie Cooper (Labour - West Lancashire)

Oral Answers to Questions

Rosie Cooper Excerpts
Monday 18th March 2013

(11 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Pickles Portrait Mr Pickles
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It is always a great pleasure to meet my honourable chum. Perhaps, shortly after these deliberations are concluded, she will join me for a warming beverage in the Tea Room.

Rosie Cooper Portrait Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab)
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T5. West Lancashire borough council has just entered into an agreement with One Connect, a joint venture between Lancashire county council and BT to provide specified services. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that all councillors on both authorities will not be prevented from exercising their fiduciary duty to their council tax payers under the guise of commercial confidentiality? Will he investigate the openness and transparency of those arrangements in relation to the use of public moneys?

Lord Pickles Portrait Mr Pickles
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I think I have actually visited that site and that venture of co-operation. It is a very good thing, and I think it will help out the process. If the hon. Lady has a particular problem about a lack of transparency in relation to the importance of councillors ensuring that their constituents are treated fairly, I will happily look into it.