Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support she is providing to maintain the roles of (a) parish and town clerks and (b) responsible financial officers on local councils.

Town and parish council clerks and responsible financial officers do vital work which enables councils to represent their communities. The department supports town and parish council officers by establishing clear frameworks for councillor standards and council finances, which allow them to excel in their roles. To stay abreast of evolving requirements of these roles and provide support, the department collaborates closely with the Society for Local Council Clerks and the National Association of Local Councils.