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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has provided guidance on the potential use of public funds by local authorities to (a) campaign on and (b) seek to influence Government decisions on unitary local government restructuring; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of this practice.

In coming to any decision on communications, local authorities are required by legislation to consider the Recommended Code of Practice on Local Authority Publicity. Decisions should observe the principles of objectivity and cost effectiveness, as well as being even-handed and appropriate.

Local authorities have been carrying out engagement to help develop local government reorganisation proposals and they are required to give due regard to the Code when doing so.