Vol. 486 No. 3
76 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the functions he envisages for the one-stop shops organised by local councils as referred to in his document, A New Deal for Local Government, published on 12 January 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/98]
One-stop shops create the opportunity to provide integrated, customer centred public services from a single site. While the concept embraces many possible combinations and levels of service, the aim is to provide the fullest possible range of public services, in addition to information and advice.
Local authorities are in a unique position to lead this process because of their geographical coverage, familiarity to local communities, multipurpose remit and experience in delivering a range of services. For this reason local authorities have been asked to establish and lead project teams, involving agencies directly involved in service provision at local level, to develop suitable projects. As recognised in the detailed guidelines issued by the previous Government, the precise composition of one-stop shops will vary in each area depending on local circumstances. It is my intention to provide financial assistance to enable several pilot or demonstration projects to proceed.
77 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he is satisfied with the ratio of electors to each elected county and borough council member; the plans, if any, he has to provide for more uniform representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2448/98]
87 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to undertake a general review of electoral areas within each local authority area; when he will be in a position to respond in a comprehensive way to the issue of councillor to population representation in each of the local authorities in view of the information on hand as a result of the 1996 population census; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2369/98]
90 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will establish a committee under the Local Government Act, 1991 to review the local electoral areas; the members of the committee; when it will be required to report; and if it will be asked to consider the variations in councillor to population ratio between various local authorities. [2463/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 87 and 90 together.
