Question
Peterborough is ambitious for growth and to improve life for our residents, so anything that extends this process risks knocking back some of that ambitious growth. I ask the Minister, can we do this as quickly as possible? I think Peterborough is also unique in this process, in that we are already a unitary council and are being brought into a bigger process. We are consistently told that a decision has not been taken, but in July a review had already started. Can the Minister confirm whether any review has actually happened since the last one was started in July? Will it take a “minded to” decision for MPs, councillors and communities in Cambridgeshire to have a say on the options being considered?
Answer
With Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and also with West Sussex, we are still earlier in the process, so we will confirm in writing what that will be. However, all decisions will be “minded to”. My hon. Friend makes a very strong case about the economic benefits of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and that being built on strong foundations. Also, I congratulate him on his appointment as the Government’s co-operatives champion; he has always been my co-operatives champion, but it is nice that he has been recognised.17% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (42/100) DEFERRED
The reply clearly and directly confirms that all decisions will be made on a 'minded to' basis, which gives MPs, councillors and communities a say. It only partly addresses the request to act as quickly as possible: it notes that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and West Sussex are still earlier in the process but makes no commitment to speed things up. On whether any review work has taken place since July, it defers the answer and promises written confirmation later, so the person asking would probably need to follow up for specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Government ensure the process is carried out as quickly as possible? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply only states where Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and West Sussex sit in the process ('still earlier in the process') and gives no commitment to speed up or ensure a timely process, so the 'as quickly as possible' request is left largely unanswered. |
| Whether any review of the matter has actually taken place since the review started in July. | Deferred | Hedged | The reply defers the substance by saying the Government 'will confirm in writing what that will be', without saying whether any review work has taken place since July. |
| Will the Government issue a 'minded to' decision so that MPs, councillors and communities in Cambridgeshire can have a say on the options being considered? | Addressed | Direct | The reply directly states that 'all decisions will be "minded to"', which is a clear yes to the request for a minded-to decision that allows MPs, councillors and communities to have a say. |